Patali launches election campaign

JHU General Secretary and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Colombo district candidate Patali Champika Ranawaka launched his election campaign yesterday at an event held in Thalawathugoda with SJB leader Sajith Premadasa in attendance. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Repatriate expatriate workers: FSP urges govt.

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to resolve several issues. The protesters called for the stoppage of pay cuts and job cuts, repatriation of Sri Lankan expatriate workers and urged the government to come up with leasing concessions for the three-wheeler drivers. They also called for the banks to come up with concessions with regard to loans. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

TUs against procurement of ECT by India

A protest was staged at the Colombo Port today by the State Trade Unions against the procurement of the East Container Terminal (ECT) by India saying that Sri Lanka should be able to control all its operations independently. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Graduate trainees protest over appointment issues

The Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates staged a protest in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station over several issues faced by graduate trainees in relation to appointment letters and the name registry released by the government. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Customs detain Beedi wrapper leaves

Two containers containing 24,000 kilos of Beedi wrapper leaves imported declaring as yarn from Chennai, India, were seized by the Customs today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Passenger aircraft converted to freighter

A passenger flight of the SriLankan Airlines has been converted into a cargo flight. This latest addition to the SriLankan Airlines was launched at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake today.

Eiffel Tower reopens

Tourists and Parisians can again admire the view of the French capital from the Eiffel Tower after it reopened today following a three-month closure due to the Covid-19 coronavirus – but only if they take the stairs.(AFP)

Another predator becomes prey

One leopard was found dead while another was injured after they were caught in two separate snares at Kothmale last night.

Anura, Arjuna, Rajitha at PCoI

Former Ministers Rajitha Senarathne, Arjuna Ranatunge and former MP Anura kumara Dissanayake, appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to probe political victimisation in connection with the Avant Garde case.

Chinese woman gives hand to disabled man

A video of a Chinese woman selling Durian in Beruwala has gone viral on social media. Our reporter confirmed that the Chinese woman was only assisting a disabled man in the area to sell Durian at the Gem Market in China Fort, Beruwala. She is seen skillfully interacting with bargaining customers while the disabled man looks on.

NIC one-day service resumes

The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) resumes its service on issuing National Identity Cards from today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Dengue eradication programme at Colombo Campus

A dengue eradication programme was implemented at the Colombo University with the support of the Health Section of the Colombo Municipality and Colombo University. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Witnessing partial solar eclipse

The partial solar eclipse which was visible over Sri Lanka today, is seen observing at the Astronomy and Space Science Unit at the Colombo University this morning. The partial solar eclipse was visible in Colombo from around 11.51 a. m. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Warm wishes from brother!

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa celebrated his 71st birthday today giving prominence to religious observances. During religious observances held at Anuradhapura early today, President Rajapaksa received warm wishes and blessings from his elder brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Buddha statue airlifted to Mulkirigala temple

An eight-foot tall Buddha Statue which approximately weighed a mammoth 3.5 tons was airlifted from the Weeraketiya Mandaduwa Grounds to the Mulkirigala Raja Maha Viharaya mountain peak, Air Force said.

Religious observances as per health guidelines

Hindu devotees took part in religious observances at the Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil in Kochchikade. People were seen visiting the temple wearing masks according to the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Protecting the students

Nugegoda Anula Vidyalaya today carried out a programme of disinfecting classrooms, libraries, staff rooms and other common areas of the school to protect the students and the teachers from COVID-19 when the school was re-opened.

Its Rambutan season

Vendors are seen selling Rambutan, Duriyan and Mangosteen along several streets of Colombo announcing the return of Rambutan season. People are also seen making a stop near the stalls to purchase the fruits. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana.

Complaint against ITJP, Sooka

State Intelligence Services (SIS) Director Major General Suresh Sallay complained to the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) today against International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) and its Executive Director Yasmin Sooka for alleged defamation. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Settle our payments...

The Finance Company PLC depositors staged a protest outside the Presidential Secretariat urging the authorities to settle their payments immediately.

Patali, Wijeyadasa, Shani at PCoI

Former Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department SSP Shani Abeysekera today appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into incidents of political victimization during the 2015-2018 period. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Heritage, underwater

Sri Lanka’s first ever underwater museum built by the Navy was opened in Galle in early April. The museum consists of various statues and souvenirs including ancient artilleries.Pics by Navy Media

Disinfection programmes at schools

Disinfection programme were launched at schools to prevent spread of COVID-19 and to eradicate Dengue. The second day of the disinfection programme was launched at the Ananda College, Colombo this morning. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Last respect to Fr. Poruthota

The mortal remains of Most Reverend Father Ernest Poruthota, who passed away last morning is lying at the Sacred Heart Chapel of Archbishop House. Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Bishops and priests are seen paying last respect to Father Poruthota.

Demo against attack on FSP

A movement calling itself ‘The Trade Unions and Mass Organisations Against State Repression’ staged a protest at Lipton’s Circus in Colombo 7 yesterday to condemn the police attack on Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) members who carried out a protest at this venue last week. The protesters urged the authorities not to use quarantine laws as an excuse to violate people’s democratic rights

Dehiwala Zoo opened for public

The Dehiwala Zoo, which had been closed due to the Covid-19 situation was opened for public from yesterday.

Schools disinfected in Colombo 12

The Kanapathy Hindu Ladies Maha Vidyalaya in Colombo 12 was disinfected by the Keselwatte Police with the support of the parents of the students. The area was under lockdown after several residents from Bandaranaike Mawatha tested positive for COVID-19.

Fatal accident

Vinavi Mapitigama (41), the daughter of veteran film Director Chandrarathna Mapitigama, was killed and two others were injured when two cars collided head-on at Wellawatta on the Old Havelock Road on Sunday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

PCR testings continue

PCR tests were conducted at the Wellawatte Public Market Complex today by the health officials to test COVID-19 infected persons.

Fire at Kegalle Public Market

A fire broke out on the upper floor of Kegalle Public Market building this evening, which caused considerable damage to the premises.