All smiles

Mr. Akashi seen in conversation at the end of today’s news conference in the presence Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo. Pic Pradeep Dilrukshana

Construction of the port city

An excavator is seen preparing to reclaim the sea front at a construction site of a China Communications Construction Co Ltd funded port city in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Tsunami rehearsal in Colombo

A Tsunami Rehearsal and Awareness Programme was held today by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Colombo District in collaboration with the Colombo Provincial Secretariat division coordinating unit. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.

MR attends Kenyan Independence Day

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa were guests at the 50th Independence Day celebrations held this morning at the Moi International Sports Complex (MISC) in Kasarani on the outskirts of Nairobi. Pix by President’s Media

Fishermen on protest in Galle

All Island Fisheries Federation today staged a protest in front of the Galle bus stand over several demands. Pix by Nimal Algewatta

President visits Kenya

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at Nairobi in Kenya last evening on a four-day state visit. He was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and was accorded a guard of honour. Pix by presidential media unit

One voice! One fight!

‘Tharunayaye Handa’ a group calling itself ‘the voice of youth’ staged a protest march from Technical Junction to the Finance Ministry urging the government to grant their reasonable demands and discuss this matter in Parliament. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Don’t interfere, says Cardinal

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith speaking to the media today urged the international community to refrain from interfering in Sri Lankan affairs. The Cardinal warned that the country would be paving the way for international intervention if it failed to adhere to the commitments it made previously. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Pay us our EPF

The Workers’ Solidarity Union lodged a complaint at the Human Rights Commission regarding arrears of over 1888 million of ETF/EPF and gratuity payments owed to over 12000 employees. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: ‘Buddhi Probodhini’ exhibition

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa views pictures at the ‘Buddhi Probodhini’ photo exhibition at Diyatha, Kotte today,  held to mark the World Human Rights day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Release Lalith- Kugan

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) today held a protest near the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to release the two Human Rights activists, Lalith and Kugan who were abducted two years ago. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

G.C.E. (O/L) today

New experience for Jaffna students in Colombo

A social event and campfire organized by the 23rd Colombo Girl Guide Company of Musaeus College Colombo together with Jaffna Mirusuvil Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School was held at Musaeus College today. Students of the Jaffna school also visited Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. to witness the operations at the press and editorial. Pix by kushan Pathiraja and Nisal Baduge

‘International Anti-Corruption Day’

A ceremony was held at the BMICH this afternoon to mark ‘International Anti-Corruption Day’ organized by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Akashi calls on MR

Senior Japanese diplomat Yasushi Akashi called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning at the President’s House. Pix courtesy President’s Media Unit

Illumination for an emancipator

A girls lights a candle during a mass commemorating late South African former president Nelson Mandela on December 8, 2013 in Soweto, near Johannesburg. South Africans crowded into churches, mosques. AFP

Inspection tour

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris engaged in an inspection tour of the Mount Lavinia Courts today to identify any shortcomings in the buildings within the court complex. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Jaguar F-type here

The Jaguar F-type was launched in Sri Lanka yesterday at the Museum Gallery Cafe. The F-type is considered a true Jaguar sports car, powerful, agile and distinctive.  Pix by Samantha Perera

Cuddling a baby

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was seen cuddling a baby at the Battaramulla ‘Good Market’ which celebrated its first birthday yesterday. A fashion show was held to celebrate the event. Pix by Samantha Perera

Nelson Mandela no more

Video: Talking on casinos

The Joint Organisations Against Casinos held a panel discussion today at the National Library with the participation of members of major political parties including UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Democratic Party leader Sarath Fonseka and other religious leaders. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

The Ghost train

A train engine, which was at the Demtagoda Railway Yard had automatically started at around 1.45 am today and preceded without a driver before it was stopped between Ratmalana and Mt. Lavinia. Pix by Rekha Tharangani

ASG appointed to Supreme Court

Additional Solicitor General, President’s Counsel Buwaneka Aluwihare was appointed as a Supreme Court judge today. Mr. Aluwihare took oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees. (President’s media)

Video: A curious transformation- from Tar to Ethanol

Customs officials have discovered over 74,000 litres of Ethanol that had been imported under the guise of importing tar from Malaysia. This stock of ethanol was found when inspecting seven containers at the container yard in Orugodawatte. Pix by Kushan Pathirana ???

‘Ketayam’ Chinthaka killed

Chinthaka Wasantha alias ‘Ketayam’ Chinthaka, the main suspect in the killing of a policeman and his wife at Kamburupitiya was shot dead during a confrontation with Special Task Force personnel at Nigala last night. Pix by Krishan Jayaruk

Left in the lurch

Members of the All Ceylon Peasants’ Federation held a protest rally at Fort today. They distributed handbills accusing the Government of ignoring their plight and not fulfilling the promises it had made before the budget. The protesters are seen clad in the traditional loin cloth. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A ‘rogue elephant’ captured

Wildlife Officials captured a rogue elephant that had been destroying crops and terrorising the Mahakumbukkan kadawala and Pallama Divisional Secretariat areas in Chilaw. The elephant was taken to a national park nearby. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Curious…

A man pushing a cart with a child in it looks on at a walk held by the Health Ministry, Sri Lanka Prisons Department and several other voluntary organisations to mark World AIDS Day, today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Rising from Ashes….

Crowds thronged to BMICH today for Sahasak Nimevum exhibition despite the fire that broke out the previous day. Minister of Technology and Research Patali Champika Ranawaka is seen here in conversation with an inventor who has come up with a unique technology of making string hoppers. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Poof!

Workers are seen here picking up bits and pieces in the building that went up in flame at the BMICH yesterday, which was built to accommodate the CHOGM Media Centre. Pix by Nisal Baduge