Trains with handful of commuters

The railway services in the Western Province, which has been suspended due to the COVID epidemic, resumed operations today. There were around 128 trains operated with only a handful of commuters travelling due to the closed ticket counters at all stations and the fact that they can only travel using their monthly season tickets. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Primary schools open today

The primary sections of schools with more than 200 students are opened today after six months of lockdown of the country due to the COVID pandemic. However, the parents of the school children helped to clean the school premises and classrooms due to the long closure. Pix by Nisal Baduge and Waruna Wanniarachchi

IUSF in protest

The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) staged a protest at the Kiribathgoda Junction over several demands. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Resolve our issues...

The Teachers and Principals Trade Union Alliance staged a protest in Colombo Fort today calling for the government to grant their demands.Protesters are seen marching towards Telecom Junction from Fort Railway Station. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Work on road linking port city with Colombo begins

Highways Minister Johnston Fernando today commenced the work on the construction of precast concrete sections of the Port Access Elevated Highway from Ingurukade Junction to the Colombo Port City. Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, State Minister Nimal Lanza and other ministry officials were present at the event. Pix by Nimalsiri Edrisinghe

SLNS ‘Samudura’ takes part in naval exercise with HMS ‘Kent’

Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) ‘Kent’ – a Type 23 Frigate serves in the Royal Navy which arrived at the port of Colombo engaged in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Sri Lanka Navy off Colombo.

Blood Donation Campaign

The annual Blood Donation Campaign organized on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of Darmasoka Primary school was held today at the Sri Chandrasekarama Temple, Maharagama. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh

Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in a feisty T20 World Cup clash on Sunday, hammering home their status as surprise title contenders.

Queues at fuel stations

Long queues were seen outside fuel stations as motorists wait to top up their tanks at stations. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Organic Potassium Fertilizer stored…

The stock of Organic Potassium Fertilizer, which was recently brought to the island, was stored in lorries to be sent to the relevant Agrarian Development Centers from the Colombo Commercial Fertiliser Central Depot in Hunupitiya, Wattala. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Inoculation drive at Royal College

The students of the Royal College were seen getting their first dose of Pfizer vaccine at the school premises. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Chinese Nationals get booster dose...

The Chinese Nationals who were recipients of both doses of the Sinopharm vaccine were given the third dose at the Port City compound today. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Waiting for their turn...

People are seen gathered at the Department of Immigration & Emigration and at the Department of Registration of Persons in Battaramulla to get their National Identity Cards (NIC) and passports. The two departments have asked the people to reserve a date and time before reaching the offices to get their needs attended to. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Holy Prophet Muhammed’s birthday celebrated...

The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka celebrated the birthday of Holy Prophet Muhammed at the high commission with a religious program today. The High commissioner and several Sri Lanka prominent personalities were present at the event. Pix by Pradeep P Dilrukshana

Vaccine rollout for A/L students

Administering the Pfizer vaccine to students aged between 18 and 19 commenced at their respective schools throughout the country from yesterday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Floral tribute to Easter Sunday victims...

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith pays floral tribute to Easter Sunday bomb attack victims at the monument erected at Anthony’s Church Kochchikade after the service held in remembrance of the victims. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Local liquid nitrogen booster project kicks off

The very first liquid nitrogen booster product, NanoGuard manufactured and marketed in Sri Lanka by Premium Health Australia (Pvt) Ltd. was ceremonially launched at a state-of-the-art plant in Kahatuduwa today by Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge. Proprietor of the new venture Channa Ruberoe and Chairman Kesbewa Pradeshiya Sabha Lakshman Perera took part in the event. Pix by Samantha Perera

Demanding release of student activists

The Student Movement for Free Education today staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Justice demanding the immediate release of the student activists who have been imprisoned for more than 75 days. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Classroom greets the lone attendee...

Although the Government announced that the schools where there are students numbering below 200 are reopened from today, the turnout of children to schools was extremely low due to the strike action of teachers and principals not to report for duty. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja and Pradeep Pathirana

First ever sextuplet birth in SL

The first-ever sextuplet birth was reported at a private hospital in Colombo, as a 31-year-old mother gave birth to six babies. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Schools get facelift before reopening

Schools with less than 200 students were cleaned up before the reopening today. Here’s how Sunethra Devi Primary School is being given the final touches by the parents before reopening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

UNP’s new digital app launched

UNP Leader and Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday launched the party’s new digital app and digital membership drive. UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and party Chairman Vajira Abeywardene are also present at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Nitrogen liquid fertilizer to warehouse

Steps have been taken to transport the Nitrogen liquid fertilizer brought from India to be stored in a state-owned warehouse in Wattala today. The first batch of nano liquid nitrogen fertilizer reached Colombo from India. This is to be used on agricultural activities during the Maha season in the country. The fertilizer is 45 metric tons in weight. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Religious observances at Bellanwila

Devotees at the Bellanwila Temple are seen taking part in religious observances on Vap Full Moon Poya day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Getting ready to reopen schools...

As the schools where there are students numbering below 200 are reopened for academic activities from tomorrow, the schools were cleaned, washed and fumigated with the help of parents, teachers and health workers. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Vap Poya Day...

Devotees at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and Egoda Kelaniya Temple in Kelaniya are seen taking part in religious observances on Vap Full Moon Poya day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Kithsiri de Mel

Final rites of Bandula Warnapura

The final rites of Sri Lanka’s first Test Captain Bandula Warnapura was held at the Borella cemetery today with the participation of a large number of people including past cricketers. Pix by Pradeep Dilruksana

Tree planting on account of Meelad-un-Nabi day

A tree planting ceremony was held at Maradana Jumma mosque on account of the Meelad-un-Nabi (birthday of Prophet Muhammad) festival today. The event was organised by the Religious and Cultural Affairs Department. All the religious leaders, including Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Islamics participated in the programme. Minister of Justice Ali Sabri was the chief guest at the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Milad UN Nabi falls today

The Colombo Municipal Council, it’s Town Hall complex seen decorated to mark Milad UN Nabi, Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary .Pix by Nisal Baduge

Still unemployed…

The Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates was seen gathered before the Ministry of Public Service, Provincial Councils and Local Government yesterday expecting an opportunity to discuss their unemployment issues with relevant authorities. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe