India’s Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs State Minister Vellamvelli Muralidaran today visited the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and met with the temple Viharadhkari Dr Kirinde Assaji Thero and received religious blessings. Minister Muralidaran arrived in Sri Lanka on February 3 to participate in the 75th Independence Day of Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, the Father of the Nation, was offered floral tributes at his statue at Independence Square today to mark the 75th Independence Day. Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha, Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and Former Minister Rukmal Senanayake paid floral tributes to the late Premier’s statue. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.
The delegation led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC met with Education Minister and Leader of the House of Parliament Susil Premajayantha, yesterday (02) in Parliament. The delegation led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General was welcomed and received by the Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake.
State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen and the Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake yesterday evening. The two dignitaries have arrived in Sri Lanka to attend the 75th Independence Day celebration on Saturday (Feb 04).
The Joint Trade Union Alliance yesterday engaged in a protest in front of the National Institute of Mental Health Hospital in Angoda, demanding the government take immediate action to bring down the skyrocketing cost of living. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.
Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva and Army Commander Lt. General Vikum Liyanage seen having a friendly chat at the Independence Day rehearsals held at the Galle Face Green today. Sri Lankan Military personnel took part in the rehearsal for the Independence Day parade which will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Convener of Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige was today released by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with a case filed for allegedly committing offenses under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
The Science and Technology Business Center (S&T Business Centre), the Petroleum and Lubricating Oil Testing Laboratory, and the Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory were declared open today by Industries and Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana. The S&T Business Centre and Lubricant Testing Laboratory were established under the ITI. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
Journalists and media activists gathered at the Viharamahadevi Park this evening to commemorate the slain and disappeared media personalities, during a ‘Black January’ remembrance programme organised by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA). Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The exhibition ’’Kedella Construction Expo 2023’’ organized by Asia Exhibitions and Conventions (Pvt) Ltd was launched today and will be held until Sunday (29) from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Colombo. The exhibition will consist of approximately 200 stalls. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) – 2023 bilateral exercise successfully concluded in Sri Lanka on 26th January 2023. Hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet in partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy, CARAT – 2023 Exercise was held in Colombo, Trincomalee and Mullikulam from 19th to 25th January.
The 74th Republic Day of India was celebrated today at the residence of the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. Several cultural events took place during the celebration. The flag-hoisting ceremony was held at 8.30 am today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
A group of employees from the Central Bank temporarily quit work and engaged in a trade union action today, alleging that the pay-as-you-go tax has been increased unfairly. Employees attached to five trade unions of the Central Bank were off from their duties today from 9.00 am until afternoon, and gathered in a hall near the bank’s auditorium and engaged in trade union action. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Misty weather is seen blanketing Padukka and Homagama this morning after 100mm of rain in the Western Province yesterday. Motorists on the Colombo- Avissawella road are inconvenienced by visibility issues caused by the prevailing misty conditions. Pix by Nisal Baduge
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