UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene staged a protest with the people in Warakapola yesterday against the rising cost of living (CoL) and several other demands. Former Parliamentarian Santhith Samarasinghe and a large number of party activists took part in the protest. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
State Ministry of Batik Hand-looms and Local Apparel Productions today sent the first shipment for its franchise outlet in Florida USA. State Minister in charge of the subject Dayasiri Jayasekara is officially handing over the shipment to Boom Lanka Batiks and Gifts Ltd officials who are running the outlet.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The Education Co-operative Trade Union Confederation (ECTUC) today staged a protest in front of the Colombo, Union Place office for not having granted the approval for Rs.10,000 salary increase by the Education Co-operative Society. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
Patients are severely inconvenienced by the 48-hour token strike launched by fifteen trade unions in the health sector over several demands including irregularities in promotions, salary anomalies. Professionals in the field of nursing, complementary medical, and paramedical services have joined the trade union action. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
Fifteen unions, including the Nursing and Paramedical Services, have decided to go on a 48-hour token strike from 7.00 am today. Saman Ratnapriya, co-convener of the Federation of Health Professionals, said that about 55,000 health professionals will join the strike today and tomorrow over six unresolved demands, including salary issues. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
Porters, commonly known as ‘Nattamis’ who handle the brunt of the goods that are being brought to and dispatched from Pettah, often manually pulling carts in the busy wholesale/retails hub, yesterday staged a protest demanding higher daily wages. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
Police today carried out special operations within the Western Province under the instructions of Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon to apprehend those violate health guidelines and take legal action ahead of the festive season. Police also distributed masks to people. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
Wild elephants are seen wandering off a motorway near a wildlife preserve in Maduruoya. Asian elephants, which live up to reaching the age of 70, are increasingly straying into human habitats in search of food as people encroach on their territory. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The Manning Market today wore a deserted look as there was a low supply of vegetables due to a strike action by farmers in the Nuwara-Eliya district. Hence, the Market witnessed a poor turnout of customers. Nowadays, the prices of vegetables and other essential items are going way beyond the common man’s reach. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
The Kelaniya University Students’ Union today staged a protest in front of the university over several demands, including removing the installed CCTV cameras in the university premises, which pave the way for repression and militarization of the campus. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe
UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena visited the historic Deeghawapi Raja Maha Viharaya and received blessings from the Chief Incumbent Ven. Maha Oya Sobitha Thera. After having observed the renovation work of the Deegawapi Chaitya. Daya Gamage, Anoma Gamage, Sanjith Samarasinghe, Saman Ratnapriya, Colombo Municipal Councillor Duminda Attygalle and others were present at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The New Wings, a youth organization, yesterday staged a protest at Independent Square calling on the authorities not to suppress those who voice for justice on behalf of those who were affected by the Easter Sunday attacks and not to use the Easter Sunday victims for political gains. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
A group of Catholics staged a demonstration in the premises the Basilica of Our Lady in Tewatte, Ragama today in support of Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando who is in hot water over his recent comments pertaining to Easter Sunday attacks. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
Socialist Youth Union (SYU) staged a protest outside the State Ministry of Urban Development,Coast Conservation urging the government to pay compensation to fishermen who lost their livelihood due to the X-Press Pearl vessel disaster. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The depositors of the Eyon Lanka Investment and Film Production International Company (Pvt) Limited today made a protest march to the President Secretariat demanding government takes action against the company owners to settle the depositors in full. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
The Sandahiru Seya in Anuradhapura built in commemoration of the heroic war heroes who have made great sacrifices for the unity of Sri Lanka and also to mark the end of the Thirty Years War, was unveiled today under the patronage of Presdeint Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pix courtesy President’s Media Division
Today’s Il Full Moon Poya Day marks the Katina Cheevara offering to Buddhist monks who observed ’’Vas’’ during the rainy season. Devotees are seen observing religious rituals at the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo and Sri Devram Maha Viharaya, Pannipitiya. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Nisal Baduge
The unveiling of Sandahiruseya Cheithiya in Anuradhapura and offering it to the Maha Sangha will take place this afternoon (18) with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as chief guests. Pix by Dayarathne Embogama
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