Wild elephants

Wild elephants were seen wondering off a motorway near a wildlife preserve in Galgamuwa today. Asian elephants, that live to reach the age of 70, are increasingly straying into human settlements in search of food, as people encroach on their territory.It is estimated that by 2022, the number of wild elephants in Sri Lanka will be around 7500. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest against US company deal

Workers from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) protested today near the Colombo Port, against a deal signed by the Sri Lankan government with a US company regarding the operation of the proposed LNG power plant in Kerawalapitiya.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

1st Pfizer dose administered on students

Administering the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on students aged between 16 and 19 continued at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) on Friday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Mission to produce organic fertilizer

The Civil Security Department in the Wilpattu National Park has embarked on a mission to produce organic fertilizer in line with a program launched by the Sri Lankan government to popularize organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer. Members of the Civil Security Department are seen working in an organic manufacturing plant in Wilpattu today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

In support of teachers’ TU action...

A group of students and the staff of the Open University today staged a protest outside the Open University, in support of the trade union action of the Principals and teachers.They urged the officials to resolve their issues without delay.PIx by Pradeep Dilruckshana

FR petition against taking over UDA

A group of SJB parliamentarians today filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court against the gazette issued by the President to take over the Urban Development Authority. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Demanding Rs.10,000 salary increase

The All Island Railway Employees Union today staged a protest in front of the Railways head quarters in Colombo, requesting the department to increase their salaries by Rs.10,000 to survive the current cost of living. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A letter to UGC

A letter was handed over to the University Grants Commission (UGC) over the injustice done to the 2020 Advanced Level (A/L) students with the issuance of cut-off marks. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Army Commander meets with Northern Province Governor

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva undertook a special visit to Jaffna yesterday.The Army Commander called on the Governor of the Northern Province Jeevan Theagarajah at his official residence in Jaffna. A lengthy discussion was held between the two parties to strengthen the lives of the people in the Northern Province.

Deepavali at opposition leader’s office

A Deepavali celebration was held at the opposition leader’s office today with the participation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as the chief guest.Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Hindu devotees observe Deepavali festival

Picture shows religious observances are being held at Kotahena Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Temple on account of the Deepavali festival today. The poojas were held maintaining strict health guidelines with only a handful of people attending due to the pandemic situation. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Now kerosene queues...!

People are waiting in long queues near the Orugodawatta filling station and in the Slave Island areas, as more people are forced to buy kerosene due to the shortage of domestic gas in the country. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Interview to recruit personnel for STF

Nearly one thousand aspirants who have qualified to appear for interviews for the post of Sub Inspectors, Police Constables and Women Police Constables for the Special Task Force of Police (STF) participated at an interview held today at the Henry Pedris Grounds, Colombo. STF said over 18,000 applications were received for those posts. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Against selling of Kerawalapitiya shares

The Joint Alliance of Ceylon Electricity Board and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation staged a protest outside the Ceylon Electricity Board head office against the agreement signed with the US Company to hand over shares of the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant. Pix by Padeep Dilrukshana

NSB protest

The NSB Trade Union Alliance held a protest urging several demands including to expedite the signing of collective agreement for 2021/2023. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SJB members at AG’s office

Several SJB members handed over a letter to the Attorney General’s Office requesting certain information including whether how many indictments filed by the AG have been withdrawn after November 19, 2019. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Gas scarcity ended....

People are seen walking with their refilled Litro gas cylinders from an outlet in Slave Island. The LP gas shortage in the country ended after several shipments with LP gas have arrived at the Colombo ports recently. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

CPC protest...

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) staged a protest at the Kolonnawa oil installation yard over several demands, including urging to bring the Trincomalee oil tank farm under the CPC administration. Pix by NImalsiri Edirisinghe

Demanding pay hike for nursers

The All Ceylon Nurses’ Union (ACNU) today staged a protest opposite the Colombo National Hospital demanding increment to their salaries in line with the rising cost of living. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Parents show solidarity for teacher-principal salary anomalies

The parents of the Sri Bodhi Primary School, Gampaha today staged a protest in front of the school demanding the authorities to take immediate action to provide solutions to the teachers’ and principals’ salary anomalies. Meanwhile, protests have been organised in several areas in the country in support of teachers and principals. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja, Damith Wickramasinghe and Kithsiri de Mel

UNP celebrates Deepavali

Picture shows UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and other party seniors at the Deepavali celebration held at Sirikotha yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dismiss Ven. Gananasara Thera: Tamil, Muslim parties

Tamil and Muslim political parties met in Jaffna today for discussions and decided to enlist other political parties including the southern progressive forces and demand for full implementation of the 13A, conduct the PC Elections and dismiss BBS General Secretary Ven. Ganansara Thero as the Chairman of the newly formed Presidentual Task Force to draft the proposals for One Country, One Law.

Protest cancelled...

All Ceylon Health Trade Union Federation (ACHTUF) which had organised a protest outside the Colombo National Hospital demanding a salary increase of Rs.10,000 for state workers had to be called off due to a dispute with another trade union action. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Inauguration of community police service centre in Jaffna

With a view to alleviate the problems of the people living in the Northern Province, the Sri Lanka Police is preparing to open a community police service centre in the Jaffna at the domain level. An awareness programme on this was held today at the auditorium of the Jaffna Police Headquarters.

Release detained students...

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) today staged a protest urging the government to release university students detained in prison. They also called for the Government to provide hostel facilities to students in need of such facilities. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

To safeguard the agricultural sector...

The Agriculture Professionals Front organised a press conference today at the Center for Society and Religion in Colombo with the participation of 14 trade unions related to the agricultural sector. The meeting was held in view of protecting the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka from the current crisis. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe.

Administering booster dose

Frontline health workers administered with the third dose or the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mete out justice for the disappeared...

Families of the disappeared staged a protest in front of the Colombo High Court urging the Attorney General to mete out justice for the disappeared. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Special visit to Jaffna

Northern Province Governor Jeevan Thyagarajah paid a special visit to Jaffna today. The Governor inspected the Thirunelveli, Marudanarmadam and Chunnagam shopping malls and urged the public and traders to strictly follow the health advice due to the COVID situation. Due to the prevailing rains in the Jaffna area, the health sector has been instructed to prepare drainage systems.

Sharing a light moment...

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa and SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Dr. Kavinda Jayawardene share a light moment at the opening of the SJB Office in Wattala yesterday. Mr. Fernando was appointed as the SJB organiser of Wattala to coincide with the event.  Pic by Pradeep Pathirana