World’s second-largest cargo aircraft lands at Mattala again

Antonov An-124, the world’s second-largest cargo aircraft landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) last night, MRIA media unit said.

Feast of St. Anthony at Kochchikade

Devotees who gathered at the St Anthony’s shrine in Kochchikade on the eve of St. Anthony’s feast were seen carrying out their religious observances keeping to the health guidelines. The festive services will be telecast on several TV channels. The annual procession which is a grand feature every year will not be held this year because the need to maintain prescribed health guidelines.

Mosque prayers to recommence next week

Mosque prayers islandwide will resume next week though the government allowed places of worship to open for public from Friday 12. An official at the Dawatagaha Mosque said they were still in the process of making arrangements in line with COVID-19 regulations to conduct prayers, and that the process would be completed by next week. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sri Dalada Maligawa opened for public

Sri Dalada Maligawa was re-opened for devotees today after nearly three months due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Pix by L.B.Sensaratne

Crime scene…

A police team is carrying out investigations into the incident where the body of a man was found with gunshot wounds near the Independence Square in Colombo this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Colombo back to normal

Colombo became a busy city once again with the easing of lockdown which was imposed since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March this year. Transport services are functioning as normal while shops and offices are also operating in line with health guidelines. The photos show Colombo is gradually returning to normalcy. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Safety measures for book enthusiasts

The Public Library, Colombo was reopened for the public this week after putting in place several measures to protect both the staff, as well as the readers. Instead of handing over books to the library staff directly, the readers are now expected to place their books in two separate boxes. Once the boxes are full, books will be splayed on tables for three days before being placed in shelves to ensure that the books have not become COVID-19 carrie

Port City resumes construction

Work on Chinese funded Colombo Port City recommenced after a prolonged pause since the outbreak of COVID-19. A media visit was organized to the artificially filled land yesterday, where media personnel were shown how the work is progressing. Workers at the construction site are made to follow health guidelines. Accordingly, each worker is subjected to two PCR tests before they enter into the premises. They are kept in hostels and are taken in

Fire breaks out at building in Maradana

A fire broke out at a multi-storey building at De Seram Road, Maradana this evening. Fire Brigade said five fire trucks were dispatched to the location to douse the fire. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Election in August

At a news briefing held today, Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya announced that the General Election 2020 would be held on August 5. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Court order prevents another protest in Colombo

Police today displayed the court order issued preventing the scheduled protest by the National Movement for Consumer Right’s Protection outside the Chinese Embassy in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Outdoor COVID-19 screening centres established

Outdoor COVID-19 screening centres were established at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in Ragama and the Panadura Base Hospital by the Peramaga initiative.

Security beefed up

Security was heavily beefed up at the US Embassy in Colombo on Tuesday June 9 2020 because of a protest organized by Frontline Socialist Party against the killing of George Floyd. Special security was in place with a number of special task force members on duty.

FSP protesters arrested

A group of members of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) including Kumar Gunaratnam were arrested by the police when they were protesting near the Lipton Circus in Colombo over George Floyd’s death in the US. Earlier, the police obtained a court order preventing the FSP from protesting near the the US Embassy in Kollupitiya. By Kushan Pathiraja

liquid disinfectants donated

Colombo Municipal Councillor Deepa Edirisinghe donated three cans of liquid disinfectant, which were gifted to her by the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Chairman Uvais Mohamed, to the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya today.

Premier opens first ever Technology Faculty

Sri Lanka’s first ever Faculty of Technology, built at a cost of Rs.3 billion for the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, was opened by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today. The faculty complex was constructed in the Technology Park at Pitipana, Homagama. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

In search of food…

Wild elephants, that come in search of food and are being fed by people, were seen on Buttala - Kataragama Road.

Trial election held in Ambalangoda

A special trial election supervised by Election Commission Chief Mahinda Deshapriya held at the Ambalangoda Vilegoda Dhammayukthikarama Temple today. The trial election was held involving health guidelines such as maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks.Pix by Hemantha De Silva

Dengue prevention programme launched

A special three-day dengue prevention programme was launched within the municipality limits by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Police Environmental Protection Division yesterday.

Observing Sil at home

People were seen observing Sil at their homes on Poson Poya Day due to the curfew imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Devotees at Bellanwila

Today is Poson Full Moon Poya Day. These photos depict scenes at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya where Buddhist devotees engaged in religious activities this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Whose waste is it, anyway?

The Wana Arana Foundation in collaboration with the Police Environmental Protection Division launched a programme to clean up the Mount Lavinia Beach which was filled with garbage. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Poson Poya amidst curfew…

Kiri Vehera in Kataragama is seen deserted this morning despite it was the Poson Poya Day today. Island-wide curfew was imposed yesterday and today due to the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pix Nisal Baduge

New walking path in Akuregoda

A walking path constructed with the labour contribution of the Army personnel in adjacent to the Defence Headquarters in Akuregoda, Battaramulla was declared open by Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Shavendra Silva last evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Food donation in view of Poson

Nestlé Lanka PLC donated food products to several temples including the Gangarama Temple and homes for elders in Colombo in view of Poson Poya which falls tomorrow. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

An eyesore…

The beautiful Mount-Lavinia beach is seen invaded by polythene and plastic waste causing an eyesore to onlookers. Pix by Dilanga Gomes

Poson Zone in Battaramulla

A Poson Zone organised by the Sri Lanka Army was declared open by Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Shavendra Silva in Battaramulla last evening. A total of 24 Poson lanterns and decorations created by the 24 Regiments of the Army illuminated both sides of the Army Headquarters HQ Road from the turn at Battaramulla Central Environment Authority and its surroundings. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tight security…

Police and army personnel are seen checking the vehicles entering Colombo today while island-wide curfew is in force. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

All smiles...

Former President Maithripala Sirisena was seen at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) press conference held today at the SLFP Headquarters. He is seen with SLFP’s General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara.

Back in the game

The Sri Lanka cricket team today resumed their training at Colombo Cricket Club Ground following a two-month lockdown period.