Flooding in Germany

Strong rains caused rivers to burst their banks and wash away buildings in Belgium and Germany, where at least 1,300 remained missing. Homes and streets in the Netherlands and Switzerland also flooded. (NY Times)

Stop hunting union leaders...

The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Unions staged a protest in Kiribathgoda yesterday urging the authorities to stop hunting union leaders.

Athupandalama ritual at Kataragama Temple

The ritual known as ‘Athupandalama’ took place at the Kataragama Temple in view of the Esala Perehara. The ceremony marks the thatching of the hut in front of the main Temple and its branches are called Athupandalama. The ritual takes place every year. The main tusker ’Wasana’ of the Temple performs the ritual in the presence of the Basnayaka Nilame. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Packing organic & chemical fertilizer

Workers were seen loading chemical and organic fertilizer at Ceylon Fertilizers and commercial Fertilizers Company warehouses in Hunupitiya, Wattala. Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who visited the Fertilizers companies in Hunupitiya instructed the officials to issue all the fertilizers required by the people within three days.

School children in protest...

A group of school children in Batuwatte, Ragama staged a protest today insisting the authorities to find solutions for the issues faced by them in accessing the online education. They also urged the Government to reopen schools and universities under health guidelines. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

People in WP receive Sinopharm 1st dose at Vihara Maha Devi Park

The general public above 30 years of age in the Western Province (WP) were given the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine at the Vihara Maha Devi Park open theatre in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Festival of Kataragama Maha Devalaya

The annual Perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya staged for the fifth day last night. However, people were not allowed to participate at the procession. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Receiving first dose of Sinopharm

Large number of people are seen getting their first dose of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at an Army Vaccination centre in Colombo today. Sri Lanka ramped up the COVID-19 inoculation drive on July 13, recording the highest number of vaccinations rolled out in a single day. Some 337,445 people have received their vaccines. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Vehicle protest rally

A vehicle parade along with a protest rally held in Colombo against the forcible quarantining of trade union leaders. The protest was organized by the Trade union collective against forcible quarantining. Pic by Pradeep Dilrusksana and Kithsiri de Mel

Make us permanent...

Members of the All-Island Dengue Prevention Assistants’ Union today staged a protest outside the Regional Director General of Health Services office in Maradana urging the authorities to absorb them into the permanent cadre of the Health Ministry. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Kataragama and Kiri Vehera deserted due to absence of devotees

Due to travel restrictions imposed in the country, the compounds of Kataragama temple and Kiri Vehera are seen deserted. Devotees were allowed to enter the temple or the Kiri Vehera compound before 2.00pm prior to the annual Kataragama Perahera. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SJB protest at Kadawatha

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and a group of SJB MPs are seen at a protest march held at Kadawatha town yesterday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

In search of debris...

Officers of the Sri Lanka Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the Coast Conservation Authority (CCA) carried out operations in search of debris that washed shore due to the MVX-Express Pearl fire in Sri Lankan waters. The operation was launched from the Kapungoda beach in Negombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SJB complains to HRC

Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya, the youth wing of SJB lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) yesterday against the assault of a lawyer in Galle. MP Mayantha Dissanayake lodged the complaint on behalf of the youth wing. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Time to taste seasonal fruits...

Street vendors in Colombo were seen selling some seasonal fruits like Durian, Rambutan, Mangosteen which are available in the months of July to September. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SLT opens first 4G tower in Panana

Extending its support towards bridging the digital divide, SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT, Telecommunications and Mobile Services Provider, facilitated the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka’s (TRCSL) ‘Gamata Sanniwedanaya’ Project by commissioning the first 4G tower in Panana, Weligepola recently.

Hunger is common to every being....

A person was seen feeding stray dogs and other animals in the Pelawatte, Koswatta and Bataramulla areas. He used to feed the animals once a day for nearly twenty years. He said he collects 10 kg of rice and 20 kg of chicken to feed the animals every day through donations and through his personal funds. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Protests demanding the release of trade union activists

Several trade unions staged a protest in Colombo today demanding the release of detained trade union activists, and several other demands including the cancellation of the Kotelawala Defense University Bill. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Duminda Silva calls on Premier

Former MP Duminda Silva who was serving a death sentence over murder charges and released from prison on a special presidential pardon last month met with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today at the Temple Trees. Pix courtesy Duminda Silva’ official Facebook page

Teachers are getting their jabs....

Picture shows teachers are being given COVID-19 vaccines at the Army Hospital in Narahenpita today in line with the government’s plan to administer vaccine and to reopen the schools, which are presently closed due to COVID outbreak. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Turtle washed ashore...

The carcass of a turtle washed ashore to the Galle Face, Colombo today after the burnt down MV X-Press Pearl in Sri Lankan waters. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Returning to normal...

After relaxing travel restrictions, the country is gradually returning to normal routine. Many are seen walking, jogging and cycling to maintain their physical health. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Almost done

The construction of the New Kelani Bridge, which is boasted to be a one of a kind project in the country, is being conducted at a steady pace by the local workforce with a target of completion by September this year. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja and Nisal Baduge

Weekly fair back yesterday

Weekly fairs (Sathi Pola) were back in action at Karagampitiya, Mt. Lavinia and Delkada to facilitate people to buy their essentials yesterday. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Against filling of Muthurajawela wetlands...

Catholics in Bopitiya including the members of the clergy staged a silent protest against the construction of an LNG power plant in Muthuragawela yesterday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Several areas in Ratnapura inundated

Around 2,000 families were affected due to sudden rains resulting in floods in the Ratnapura area. Several areas were inundated causing inconvenience for people.

Debris washed ashore again...

Due to adverse weather conditions in the sea area, the debris of containers from the ship MV X-Press Pearl was seen washed ashore off the coast of the Moratuwa, Ratmalana and Angulana. Pix by Rekha Tharangani

Administering Pfizer for students who are going overseas

A female soldier of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps is seen giving the Pfizer Covid 19 vaccine to a local student who is going overseas for higher education, at the Army hospital in Colombo today. Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said the government directed to give the Pfizer vaccine to nearly one thousand students who are going abroad for higher education as most countries do not allow them to enter without the Pfizer vaccine. Pix by Pra

SJB protest

The members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) held a demonstration at the Independence Squire over the government’s move against several demands and actions, including the attempt of the media suppression. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sinopharm jab for construction workers

Administering the first dose of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for the Chinese and Vietnamese workers at construction sites in Colombo carried out yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.