Video: Duminda comes to Court

MP Duminda Silva, a suspect in the killing of presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, appeared before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today. The case was postponed for August 2. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Bidding adieu

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya attended the first farewell function held at the Vanni Army Headquarters today before he relinquished duties as army commander. He is appointed Chief of Defense Staff with effect from August 1. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

In Seychelles…

Members of the Sri Lankan delegation Ministers G.L. Peiris, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Mervin Silva, Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Parliamentarians Lohan Ratwatta and Lakshman Perera, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Seychelles in South Africa Shehan Ratnavale, are at the extraordinary session of the National Assembly in Seychelles. (Pictures courtesy Presid

Video: Protest by Railway Unions

Several railway trade unions today staged a protest rally near the Salaries and Cardres Commission office over the retrenching of staff and the salary anomalies in the Railway Department. Police are seen confronting the protesters. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana ???

Fishing in Nilwala River

Following the warning issued by the Department of Meteorology against going to sea for fishing due to rough weather, the fishermen had turned to fishing in the rivers. The pictures show some fishermen in the Nilwala River. Pix by Krishan Jewaka Jayaruk

Till death do us part...

22-year old Sirimal Prasanna Kumara, a Sinhala Corporal of the Sri Lanka Army married 20-year-old Tamil girl, Mary Theresa of Mullaithivu at the Thanniruviru Christian Church today, amid many top brass Army officials, relatives and friends. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

Video: MR Arrives in Seychelles

Seychelles President James Michel welcomed the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the airport yesterday. President Rajapaksa is on a two-day state visit to the Seychelles. Pix by President’s Media

General Kayani in Diyatalawa

Passing out Parade of 64 cadet officers were held at Diyatalawa Army camp with the participation of visiting Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Katunayake expressway nearing completion

The construction of the Colombo-Katunayake expressway is nearing completion, and is due to open in August this year. Picture shows some work currently being done on the expressway. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Pakistan’s COAS meets Army Commander

The Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who was on an official visit to Sri Lanka met Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya this morning at the Army Headquarters. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Commanders

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Roshan Goonetilake, Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya, Air Force Commander Harasha Abeywickrama and visiting Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani at a dinner, hosted by the Pakistan High Commissioner at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. General Kiani arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit. Pic. by Indraratne Balasuriya

Graduates’ grievances

The Graduate Employees Union (GEU) today staged a protest in front of the Town Hall in Colombo urging the authorities to occupy graduates in proper titles and to make them permanent in their posts. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Pakistan Army Chief arrives

Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to undertake a three-day visit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Video: MP, staff apologise to monk

Digamadulla MP Sarath Weerasekara, two of his secretaries and six others who allegedly verbally assaulted the Chief incumbent of the Deegawapi Temple formally apologised to the monk today. They had verbally assaulted the monk when he objected to taking photos of the temple. (Pix and video by Wasantha Chandrapala) ???

Video: MR in Tanzania

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete received President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Julius Nyerere International Airport today at the start of President Rajapaksa's first visit to the country. The two Presidents are seen here during the welcome ceremony. Pix by President’s Media ???

Retribution for…?

Ananda Sarath Kumara, the UPFA Provincial Councilor accused of ordering a teacher to kneel before him smashes a coconut at a ‘Devalaya’ in Anamaduwa. The release coincided with protests carried out by teachers at the Anamaduwa town. Pix by Jude Samantha, Hiran Jayasinge, Mihira Wijesekera.

A job within another

“Soba Kekulu” an exhibition organized by the Western Province Environment Ministry was held at the M.D.H. Jayawardana Vidyalaya. The exhibition began today with the participation of 30 schools in the Western Province and will end on 29 June. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Cartoon of the day

Video: IUSF protest

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) staged a protest today over several demands including lifting the suspensions served on several students. The protest which began from the Wijerama junction proceeded towards the Nugegoda junction. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Video: Against cattle slaughter

The signature campaign against cattle slaughter launched by the Sinhala Ravaya movement which started from Kiri Vehera reached Colombo today. The members of the movement handed over a petition to the President at the Temple Trees.???Pix by Nisal Baduge

Let’s eradicate the drug menace

The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) has organised an awareness walk against the illicit use of drugs. Today’s walk begins from opposited the Maradana Police Station and will wend its way to Hyde Park Corner. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel ???

Puttalam DS staff on protest march

A protest march was organised in Puttalam Town which began from the Puttalam Divisional Secretariat office over the alleged assaulted on Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary and the driver on June 25. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasignhe and Jude Samantha

Award winning actor meets President

Talented Sri Lankan actor Jagath Chamila who was awarded the best actor's award met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees this evening. He was awarded this at the New York City International Film festival in New York for his outstanding role in 'Sameege Kathawa' (Sam's Story).  Pix courtesy President Media

Thailand Road Show 2013

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organised a tourism promotion event called Open Thailand Road Show- 2013 at Hotel Taj Samudra on Monday. The event comprised of speeches from the special guests followed by several dance performances by the dancers from a fine arts college of Thailand, which displayed Thai culture and lifestyle. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.

‘Professionally aboriginal’

Renowned Australian Indigenous Dancer, Albert David demonstrating his aborigine cultural dancing skills to the students of the Visual and Performing Arts Faculty of the Colombo University today, at the Performing Arts Theater. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: A twisted role

Vaas Gunawardena being escorted out of the Colombo Magistrates Court after he was re- remanded. The former DIG is accused of the murder of a businessman with the CID investigating several other murders suspected to have been committed with his involvement. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Pothgul Maha Vihara Mihindu Perahara

Annual Mihindu Perahara organized by Pothgul Maha Vihara Heenatiyana Gampaha was held for the 172nd time yesterday with the special floats made into the shape of various animals. This was held to mark the Poson poya on Sunday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: No curtailing of 13A- we have the silent majority

In what could be termed as a dramatic news conference in recent times, a host of senior government Ministers representing the SLFP and the left said that the government has a silent majority to defeat any attempt to curtail the 13th amendment.??? Pix by Nisal Baduge

Fogging Machines from Korea

A Fogging Machine manufacturing company based in Republic of Korea donated fogging machines to Municipal Councils of Colombo, Dehiwala Mt. Lavinia and Moratuwa today at Colombo Municipal Council premise. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Poson dansalas

Colombo came alive with several dansalas, which were held to mark Poson Poya Day. The UNP had a dansala at Sirikotha. Pix by Nisal Baduge