Railway employees demand permanent employment

Railway employees a held protest at the Maradana Railway General Manager’s office yesterday demanding permanent employment for casual and contract employees. The protesters were demanding permanent employment for 1,500 railway employees currently recruited on casual and contract basis. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

President visits Welikada Prison

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is currently making a sudden inspection visit to the Welikada Prison, the President Media Division said.

Wildlife trackers demand job security

A protest was held outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today by the All Island Wildlife Trackers Trade Union over several of their demands including job security.

Under 19 Champions

The Bangladesh cricket team pose for a group photograph after winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup cricket finals between India and Bangladesh at the Senwes Park, in Potchefstroom, yesterday. Picture Courtesy AFP

Pole Vault World Record

Sweden’s Armand Duplantis clears the bar to set a world pole vault record of 6.17 metres at the Orlen Copernicus Cup 2020 World Athletics Indoor meeting on Saturday in Torun, Poland. Duplantis, the US-born 20-year-old who won silver at last year’s world championships in Doha, cleared the bar on his second attempt in Torun to break the previous record of 6.16m set by French vaulter Renaud Lavillenie in February 2014. ( AFP)

Blood donation camp to bless Chinese

A blood donation camp was held at Maurapada Temple in Pelawatte, Battaramulla on Sunday to bring in blessings to Chinese people and to overcome the Coronavirus epidemic that is spreading in Whuan, China. Maurapada Temple and Oruwela Lions Club organized the programme which was attended by Ven. Waleboda Gunasiri Thera. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR meets Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa held discussions in New Delhi today. Photo AFP

Footwear and Leather Fair 2020

The ‘Footwear and Leather Fair 2020’ exhibition organised by Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Products Manufacturers Association for the 12th year was launched under the aegis of Minister Wimal Weerawansa at the BMICH yesterday. It will be held today and tomorrow as well from 10 am to 9 pm. Leather products including shoes, bags and travel goods, machinery and chemicals are available at the Exhibition.

Gangaramaya Navam Perahera parades streets

The 42nd annual Navam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo paraded the streets this evening after UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe placed the sacred relic casket on the Majestic Tusker. The Perahera will conclude tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President back to school

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the first and only Executive President produced from Ananda College, Colombo, yesterday declared open ‘Sath Mahala,’ the new seven-storey building of Ananda College.

All set for Navam Perahera

The Navam Maha Perahera of the Gangarama Temple, Colombo will parade the streets tonight. Organisers are seen making finishing touches in preparation of the Perahera. Inside the temple, the monks are seen blessing the elephant ‘Ganga’ who would carry the casket of relics in the Perahera.

Ex-SriLankan CEO, wife remanded

Former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka are seen escorted into the prison bus after they were remanded by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. Pix by Pradeep Dilukshana

Kin of S. Mahinda Thera visits SL

The grandnephew of S. Mahinda Thera of Tibet, Dr. T.R. Gyasto of Gangtok, visited the temple of Sri Sudharmaramaya Maha Bellana in Alubomulla on National Independence Day, to pay homage to his granduncle.

Turtle hatchlings released

At least 83 sea turtle eggs, which have been recovered from the Galle Face beach a couple of weeks ago during a beach cleaning programme by the Navy, hatched and the hatchlings were released into the ocean yesterday. The cleaning programme was part of the ‘Green and Blue Project of the Sri Lanka Navy. (Pix by Navy)

Enforce our appointments at CPC: AIPAC

The All Island Project Assistants Collective (AIPAC) staged a protest outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today demanding the authorities to enforce their appointments at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. The protesters said they have been given appointment letters but no jobs. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Blessings against Coronavirus

A Pirith chanting was held at Gangarama Temple in Colombo this evening to seek protection from the new Coronavirus infection spreading across the world. Gangaramaya resident monk Ven. Dr Kirinde Assaji Thera and other prelates invoked blessings and conducted the religious observances in which Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila also took part. The event was organised by the Chinese Sri Lanka Journalists’ Forum. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

HND students want Mahapola increased

The Inter Higher National Diploma Students Federation staged a protest march in Colombo today demanding the authorities to ensure the right of HND students to further their education up to the degree level and to increase the amount of Mahapola Scholarship. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Dedicated area for protests

In a bid to ease traffic congestion in Colombo caused by protests, a dedicated area has been allocated near the Presidential Secretariat and in close proximity to the Galle Face Green to conduct protests and demonstrations.

In solidarity

A group of activists gathered at the Borella roundabout last morning to express their disagreement with the government’s decision to sing the National Anthem in Sinhala only at the 72nd Independence Day celebration. The activists were seen singing the National Anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil.

Freedom!

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted a General Amnesty for 512 prisoners to mark the Independence Day on February 4. A group of prisoners is seen leaving the Welikada Prison after they were granted pardon. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SL Navy accords 25-Gun Salute

Sri Lanka Navy accorded a 25-Gun Salute to the Nation today at the Lighthouse premises in Colombo Fort to mark the 65th Independence Day.

Celebrating 72 years of freedom

The 72nd Independence Day celebration was held at the Independence Square in Colombo 07 today showcasing a military parade and a cultural pageant under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and other dignitaries. Pix by Shameera Rajapakse

Airforce celebrated the 72nd independence anniversary

The Sri Lanka Airforce celebrated the 72nd anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Commemorating Independence

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Colombo Mayoress Rosy Senanayake and several Parliamentarians attended a ceremony held at the Sri Dharmakeertyaramaya Temple in Polwatte, Kollupitiya to commemorate the 72nd Independence Day this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Pettah deserted

Several roads in Pettah were seen deserted as people have returned to their homes outside of Colombo for Independence day celebrations. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Exhibition on int’l trade & national trade policy

An exhibition organised by the Professionals’ National Front on international trade and features of a national trade policy, was launched at the Office of the Organisation of Professional Associations in Colombo by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Bitter truth of bond scam

The bitter truth of the bond scam was held at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo recently. The Member of the Political Bureau of the JVP and former Chairman of the COPE Committee Sunil Handunnetti participated

Inspection at Sathosa wholesale stores complex

Mission of mercy team

Pictures show the crew members who volunteered to operate the airline’s mission of mercy that brought back Sri Lankan students from Wuhan, China. Aircraft Technician Rumesh Pathiraja, Licensed Aircraft Engineer Lalitha Pathberiya, Chief Pilot Captain Chamindra de Zoysa, Chief Officer Service Delivery Captain Rajind Ranatunga, Flight Safety Manager Captain Anushke Jeewandara, Purser Farhaan Haniffa and Cabin Service Supervisor Jenaly Janasz, were

Russian Ground Forces Commander in SL

Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces of the Russian Federation, General Oleg Salyukov is seen receiving a guard of honour when he arrived in the country today. He is a combat veteran with 45 years in service and decorated with orders and nine medals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana