After all sluice gates open...

Pictures show the present nature of the Polgolla reservoir after all its sluices gates were opened. The picture also shows the Mahaweli river and the connected canals running dry and mud is washed ashore on both sides of the river bank. Pix by Chaturanga Samarawickrama

JVP files FR petition...

JVP Politburo member Sunil Hadunnetti and former Provincial Councillor attorney-at-law Sunil Watagala are seen at the Supreme Court premises where they filed a FR petition against alleged tax fraud on sugar. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Stop making illegal appointments

A group of principals staged a protest at the agitation site near the Presidential Secretariat today urging authorities not to make school principal appointments by fraud. They also insisted the authorities to stop recruiting 4,600 principals illegally.

Seminar against increasing cost of living...

A seminar organised by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on the sky-rocketing cost of living and economic crisis was held at the New Town Hall, Colombo yesterday. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake participated the event. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Celebrating Maha Shivaratri

Hindu devotees are seen engaged in religious observances at the Sivan Kovil in Kochchikade today to mark Maha Shivaratri. Maha Shivarathri is a Hindu festival celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva and in particular signifies the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

’Sathya’ Special Supplement launched

The Women for Rights organization launched the ’Sathya’ Special Supplement today at the Colombo Public Library under the patronage of senior journalist and writer Kirthi Welisarage.

Protest urging to ’End military rule in Myanmar’

Myanmar People’s Cooperation Committee today held a protest in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Colombo demanding the end to military rule in that country and restore democracy. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Prof Ranasinghe takes over Central Cultural Fund

Professor Gamini Ranasinghe who assumed duties as the director general of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) today is seen participating at religious rites at his new office. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

3D return for Bamiyan Buddha

The ancient sandstone carvings in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan valley were once the world’s tallest Buddhas - but they were lost forever when the Taliban blew them up 20 years ago. (BBC)

Vaccination drive in Grandpass

At least 1,000 residents of the Grandpass area were vaccinated at the Grandpass Al Nazar Maha Vidyalay by the officers of the MOH Office in Ginthupitiya.

In line with International Women’s Day

A number of events was held at the Bairaha Farms-Hiripitiya, Kurunegala to mark the International Women’s Day, which was celebrated yesterday.

Nawaloka hospital celebrates Women's Day

Leading private healthcare institution, the Nawaloka Hospitals PLC today celebrated the International Women’s Day at the hospital premises. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Progressive Women's Collective marks Women's Day

The Progressive Women’s Collective forum staged a march in Colombo yesterday to mark the International Women’s Day. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Wedding bells ring for disabled War Hero

Disabled War Hero of the Commando Regiment (CR) Corporal W.P.T Sampath, who lost his right leg while fearlessly fighting against LTTE terrorism during humanitarian operations before May 2009, tied the nuptial knots with his dream princess on Monday (8). Amy Commander General Shavendra Silva as the Chief Guest witnessed the wedding on behalf of the disabled War Hero.

Underemployed graduates in protest

A group of underemployed graduates launched a protest march from Fort Railway Station to the Presidential Secretariat yesterday urging authorities to mete out justice for them.

Illegally imported ethanol stock seized

A consignment of 76 barrels of ethanol stock worth Rs.20 million which was imported illegally from Singapore was seized by the officers attached to the Customs Central Investigation Bureau today.​

Women’s Day march has no barriers!

Organization for Free Women held a protest march from Elphinstone roundabout to Presidential Secretariat marking the Women’s Day and the Police tried to disperse the crowd when they tried to enter through police barricades. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Resolve our issues...

A group of workers at the Millewawatte rubber estate staged a protest outside the Presidential Secretariat claiming that their daily payment has been reduced to Rs. 250 from Rs. 580. They appealed to the President to resolve their issues. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

SLFP celebrates Int’l Women’s Day

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party today celebrated International Women’s Day at the party headquarters under the patronage of Party chairman and former President Maithripala Sirisena. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

She deserves better…

The world today celebrates International Women’s Day, which throws the spotlight on women and their rights. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The theme of 2021 is ‘Let’s all choose to challenge.

Unemployed graduates demand justice

A protest organized by the Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates was held outside the Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Council and Local Government today urging the authorities to provide job opportunities without disregarding them. Pix Nisal Baduge

SLPP MPs files complaint

Several MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against alleged comments made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ashoka Abeysinghe linking President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Earn for living...

People seen fishing in the Kandalama Lake in Dambulla, dispite the scorching heat due to hot weather. Many Lankans are living adjacent to streams usually engage in fishery activities for their livelihood. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ruwan in Dambulla

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and other party seniors participated at a meeting held in Dambulla yesterday, discussed about reorganizing the party. He met several senior officials including religious leaders during his visit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Cardinal Ranjith at 'Black Sunday' protest

Marking the ’Black Sunday’ observation, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is seen among other worshipers today at St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade. A large gathering of Buddhist monks were also seen among the protesters calling the authorities to bring the mastermind of the Easter Sunday suicide attacks. A silent protest was also held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Ragama.

Burial ground

A total of 17 bodies of victims who succumbed to COVID-19 have been buried at Ottamavadi area in Batticaloa District as of yesterday since last Friday. Pix by Jawfer Khan

COVISHIELD vaccines under COVAX Facility arrives

The first batch of 264,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccines under COVAX Facility by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was received this morning. The consignment was received at the Katunayake airport by Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

SJB launches ‘Sadaham Charika’

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) launched ‘Sadaham Charika’ where they meet religious leaders of every religion and obtain blessings for the party. Accordingly, SJB MPs including Tissa Attanayake, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana and several others first met religious leaders in the Negambo area.

Army Chief last frontline soldier to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva today received the Covid-19 vaccine after all frontline personnel fighting against Covid-19 were administered with Covishield Astra-Zeneca vaccine.Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley also attended to witness Army Commander receiving the vaccine at the Army Hospital.

‘Wedding Show 2021’

The Wedding Show 2021 exhibition was launched in BMICH Colombo yesterday. The exhibition mainly focuses many eye-catching and dazzling wedding products. It will be held until March 7 .Pix by Nisal Baduge.