Donation to Public Library to fight COVID-19

An Indoor Ozone Disinfector Bipolar Ionization unit was donated to the Public Library today to combat the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Donation was handed over to Colombo Mayor Mrs Rosy Senanayake by the Chairman of ABC Trade and Investments (Pvt) Ltd Amalrajah Jayaseelan. The Chief Librarian of the Library Varuni Gangabadaarachchi and Deputy Librarian Chintha Ilapperuma were also present at the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SJB launches mobile app

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today launched a mobile app kicking off its election campaign. SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa is seen launching the campaign website while the party’s campaign head Harin Fernando, General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, National Organizer Tissa Attanayake and national list member Eran Wickramaratne look on. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Drones light up Seoul sky with coronavirus messages

Hundreds of drones have lit up the night sky in the South Korean capital, Seoul, for a spectacular showcase of motivational and awareness messages as the fight against the coronavirus pandemic continues.

COVID-19 impact on SMEs

A report on a study conducted to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on Small and Medium sector Enterprises was launched in Colombo today. The event was attended by Minister Wimal Weerawansa. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Back to school

The schools, which had been closed for over three months due to the Covid-19 situation, were recommenced today for grades 5, 11 and 13. Students and teachers were seen entering the schools adhering to the health guidelines issued by the Health authorities.

Dousing the fire at Wellawatte

The firefighters were seen dousing the fire that broke out at a textile store at W.A Silva Mawatha in Wellawatte today.

UNP rally at Athurugiriya

Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’ with UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake and UNP Colombo District Candidate Binara Jayawardene during an UNP rally at Athurugiriya electorate today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Esala Poya day

Devotees are seen engaging in religious activities this morning at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to mark the Esala Poya day

Look at them humans, looking at us

A chimpanzee couple is seen having a good laugh probably at all the visitors looking at them at the Dehiwala Zoo, which celebrated its 84th Anniversary yesterday. The animals in captivity were given special treats to coincide with the celebrations. The zoo was recently opened for the visitors after being closed for over two months due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Disinfecting Jinthupitiya

The Jinthupitiya, Colombo area was disinfected after a seafarer from the area tested positive for Covid-19.

Ranil at Colombo Central rally

Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’ greets people during a rally at Colombo Central electorate today.

Farewell to a legend

The final rites of the veteran children’s book writer and illustrator Sybil Wettasinghe were performed today (03) at the Borella Public Cemetery. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dengue prevention programme launched

Special dengue prevention programme was launched at the Colombo Magistrate Courts yesterday by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and Colombo University. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SJB youths protest against match-fixing allegations

A man holds a placard during a protest organised by the Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya, the youth wing of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), outside Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Headquarters in Maitland Place on Thursday against the ongoing probe on the alleged fixing of the cricket world cup final in 2011. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

After 9-hour long statement

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara, who arrived at the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) on sports-related corruption, attached to the Ministry of Sports this morning, was seen leaving the premises after giving more than a nine-hour long statement over match fixing allegations made by former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Car catches fire

A fire broke out in a car at Ward Place in Colombo due to a mechanical fault this evening. The Colombo fire brigade doused the fire and no one was injured.

Last respect to Sybil Wettasinghe

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and several others were seen paying last respect to the body of veteran children’s book writer and illustrator Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe, who passed away yesterday.

Cleaning artifacts

The Conservation Division of the Department of National Museums cleaned artifacts using chemicals after the Museum was opened after three months.

SLC announces carbonated beverage partner

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a three-year partnership with My Cola Beverages as the “Official Carbonated Beverages Partner of Sri Lanka Cricket” at an event conducted at the Shangri-La Hotel this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

National Museum opened for public

Colombo National Museum, which was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was opened for public today under strict health guidelines.

Rein it in!

Wild mustangs have been captured in a fierce embrace as they fought for dominance after rolling in pools of mud in the west desert of Utah earlier this year.

Millangoda Tusker passes away

The Millangoda tusker “Jayanthi” that carried the casket of sacred relics in the Kandy Esala Perahera for several years has passed away on Monday evening. The owner of the tusker former Provincial Council Member Ananda Millangoda told the media that the tusker ‘Jayanthi’ also called ‘Podi Raja’ was 68-years-old at the time of the death.

Dullas visits schools on post Covid-19 opening

Schools which closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic were re-opened today as the first phase. Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma visited the, Dharmapala Vidyalaya Boys School in Pannipitiya - Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda and the Tamil Vidyalaya, Nugegoda for inspection. Circulars had been sent to schools requesting all teachers, principals, non-academic staff and School Management Boards to report to schools from June 29 to July 3.

At the cinema

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the special screening of the movie “The News Paper” at PVR Theatre, One Galle Face today. The film has been co-directed by Sarath Kothalawala and Kumara Thirimadura while its co-producers are Minister Bandula Gunawardana, Raveendra Guruge and H.D. Premasiri.

UNP launches election campaign

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday launched its election campaign at Sirikotha. Kicking off the campaign former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he is willing to come for a public debate on saving the country from a second wave of COVID-19. Pic by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Schools disinfected

Disinfections of school premises were carried out across the country during the weekend. Pictures show parents, teachers and the officers of the Nittambuwa Community Police are engaging in disinfection process of the Dharmashoka College in Kalagedihena. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Harin meets Archbishop

Former Minister Harin Fernando & Sajith Premadasa today met with the Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at the Archbishop’s House, Colombo.

Unibuffels for UN Peacekeepers from SL Army

Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) troops of the Army handed over nine modernized Unibuffels (improved version of Unicorns), one recovery vehicle and three containers produced by the SLEME to the shippers, to be sent to the Combat Convoy Company (CCC) of the Sri Lankan UN Peace-Keepers serving in Mali.

Protest against Aberdeen-Asiri MBBS Degree

Medical faculty students of government universities staged a protest outside the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) in Colombo today against the Aberdeen-Asiri MBBS Degree Programme through ‘Sri Lanka Medical Pathway’.

Appears before PCoI...

Former MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Former Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias, Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and other officials today appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to probe into the alleged political victimization of public officials.