Palu fruit (Manilkara hexandra), which has a unique sweetness, being sold in Colombo on the road leading to Borelasgamuwa. Palu fruit trees usually grow in tropical and temperate forests. Pictures show a person who loves the sweetness of Palu fruits waiting to get some. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
On April 21, 2024, Maldivian expatriates living in Sri Lanka exercised their democratic right by casting their votes in the Parliamentary Election of the Maldives. The polling station, established at the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo, welcomed over 300 Maldivian nationals who had registered to participate in the electoral process. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
People commemorated victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks at a cemetery in Katuwapitiya today, marking the 5th anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Over 260 were killed in the blasts which targeted three churches and three luxury hotels in the island in April 2019. A prayer procession was also held from Maris Stella College, Negombo to St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya to mark the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The Ceylon Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’s inaugural ceremony was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) with the presence of distinguished guests from both local and international spheres. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
Prayers were offered at the St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, led by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, to mark the fifth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and in commemoration of those whose lives were lost in the terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, another mass was held at the Tewatta Church in Ragama. Pix Nisal Baduge
The Ruhunu Maha Kataragam Dewalaya began a cultural dance event ’’The Rythms of Sri Lanka’’ for locals and tourists which will be held during every weekend. This event will help provide funds for the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama. The event was held at the main entrance of the Dewalaya. Pix Nisal Baduge
The final rites of the late former Deputy Minister Palitha Thevarapperuma were held this evening at Yatadolawatte, Mathugama, with the participation of politicians, religious leaders and the public. Thevarapperuma was buried at the burial site, which he had prepared while he was still alive in Yatadolawatte. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Plantation workers attached to the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) staged a protest today in front of the Fort Railway Station, demanding that the authorities protect the plantations as national treasures and increase their daily wage to Rs. 1,700 against the skyrocketing cost of living. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
A Moringa tree was planted this morning to mark the tree planting ritual for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year at the Gangaramaya Temple. Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody participated at the event along with Gangaramaya Deputy Incumbent Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Court Lodge Estate, owned by the Udupusellawa Plantation Company in Nuwara Eliya this morning (16) to explore opportunities for the revival of the tourism industry around the picturesque hills of Nuwara Eliya. Notably, the President embarked on this journey by traversing the Pekoe Trail.
Relatives of the victims of the Meetotumulla tragedy paid tribute to their deceased loved ones by lighting lamps at the monument erected at the site. The tragedy, which occurred earlier, claimed the lives of around 32 individuals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Ambassador of Thailand to Kenya Ms. Morakot Janemathukorn, paid a visit to Kenya’s High Commissioner, Kana Kananathan, at the High Commission Offices in Nairobi .Both participated in constructive talks concerning bilateral affairs of shared importance. The dialogue focused on bilateral matters that hold significance for both countries.
Commuters along with their children and belongings, were stranded at the Fort Railway Station due to train cancellations. Eleven scheduled trains were cancelled today due to the absence of locomotive operators and railway guards. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
Even after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivals, some foreign tourists were seen walking in the streets of Colombo. According to the reports by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka crossed the 50,000 mark of tourist arrivals during the first nine days of April. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana
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