The petition signing campaign, calling for abolishing 13 A, organised by the National Freedom Front (NFF) for ten days came to completion today after the petitions were handed over to its leader Minister Wimal Weerawansa outside the Fort Railway Station today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The Ministry of health today donated equipment worth Rupees 50 Million to 100 hospitals in order to revamp the hospitals ability to control the dengue epidemic in the country. Minister of Health Maithreepala Sirisena donated the equipment to the respective hospitals today. (Pix by Nisal Baduge)
Beruwala and Payagala fisher folk who had gone out to sea rushed back to the Beruwala Fisheries Harbour when the police on the advice of the Met Department announced the possibility of strong winds. Panic and chaos prevailed when more than 30 fishing craft including multi-day trawlers attempted to enter the harbour. Pix by Sarath Siriwardene
A commemoration ceremony was held at the Ampara Police Superintendent’s office today in memory of the 652 police officers killed by the LTTE in 1990. They were from Akkaraipattu, Kalmunai, Samanthurai and Pottuvil. The police officers who had surrendered to the LTTE were taken to the Rupaskulam Forest in Thirukkovil and shot dead. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala
Following the rapid increase in dengue cases, Public Health Inspectors are seen examining railway lines inside the Fort Railway Station and the Pettah CTB Central Bus Stand for possible mosquito breeding sites. Dengue is reported to be reaching epidemic proportions in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???
The Ravana Balaya orgainisation staged a protest outside Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) headquarters today and urged SLC to apologise to the nation for the embarrassment caused to the Sri Lanka team at the opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel ???
US Ambassador Michelle Sisson visited the new office complex and crime laboratory of the Government Analyst Department (GAD) donated by the USAID at Pelawatte, Battaramulla today and observed the activities explained by Chief Government Analyst W.D.G.S. Gunatilaka. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
The Medical Faculty Students Union of Sri Jayawardenapura University today held a protest march at Wijerama Junction urging authorities to remove 10 medical students who were admitted to the University under the Foreign Student Admission programme. Pix by Nisal Baduge
Homagama District court judge Sunil Abeysinghe is pictured escorted out of the Colombo Magistrates court by prison guards after he was further remanded by the court. The judge is alleged to have accepted a bribe in order to give a decision in favour of a party. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
While the United National Party led by Ranil Wickremasinghe in January opposed the appointment of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris claiming it was an illegal appointment in place of CJ Shirani Bandaranayake, the Opposition leader seemed to be having a point to share with CJ Peiris at the funeral of UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardena in Jaela today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
The 26th commemoration of 31 Buddhist monks who were assassinated by the LTTE terrorists at Aranthalawa was held today at the Aranthalawa Buddhist Centre. The members of the Mahasanga attended to religious observances and paid floral tributes at the Aranthalawa assassination commemoration memorial. Pix. by Wasantha Chandrapala
Thailand Prime Minister Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra who had been on a two day official visit to Sri Lanka left the country on Saturday. External Affairs Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, Parliamentarian Nirupama Rajapakse, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Chairman Prasanna Wickamasuriya were at the Bandaranaye International Airport (BIA) to see her off. Pix. by Deepa Adikari
Visiting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who visited the Sacred Temple of the Tooth late on Friday, called on the Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera to get his blessings this morning. Pix by J.L.A. Jayasinghe
A discussion initiated by the UNP’s youth wing was held at party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence to discuss concerns faced by local universities. University students’ representatives, UNP Youth wing Chairman and MP the Ruwan Wijeywardena and several other stakeholders participated. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
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