Video: Thai PM in Parliament

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is on a two day official visit in Sri Lanka addressed the parliament today. Pix Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Thai PM meets MR

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who arrived in Sri Lanka this morning on a two day visit called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. Pix by Presidential Media

Video: Thai PM here

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and a group of delegates arrived in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit this morning. They were warmly welcomed at the Bandaranaike International Airport by External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Life-size wax statues

Sri Lanka’s one and only wax statue sculptor Athula Herath who has made life-size creations of Professor Carlo Fonseka and veteran Sunil Edirisinghe together with his son Mahima, unveiled today at the Namel Malini Punchi Theater in Borella. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: The Homagama Judge...

Homagama District Court Judge Sunil Abeysinghe is being escorted out of the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station where he was held in custody until he was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate. Goons who were gathered at the police station prevented journalists from taking pictures of the judge Pix by Sameera Rajapaksa ???

Indian intelligence chief in Vanni

Indian Armed Forces Intelligence Unit Director General R.N. Singh visited the Vanni Security Forces Headquarters today. Lt. Gen. Singh was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at the Vavuniya airstrip by Major General Boniface Perera, the Vanni Security Forces Commander and Competent Authority on displaced people in the Northern Province. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Final day of Gangaramaya Vesak celebrations

The Vesak celebrations around the Gangaramaya Temple came to an end today. The well attended festivities that took place both around the Beira Lake and the Temple attracted large crowds who travelled long distances to witness the beautiful sites. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Proposals for new Constitution

The UNP today launched its draft policy for a new constitution. The launch took place in the parliament complex with the participation of Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, leaders of the ‘VipakshayeVirodaya’ and UNP parliamentarians. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

They apologise

The bus driver and the conductor who were accused of having assaulted a Buddhist monk who was travelling in a Colombo-Embilipitiya bus today apologised to the monk the Ven. Sevanagala Gnanawimala Thera at the Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs Ministry. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cartoon of the day

Last rites for self-immolation monk

The funeral of the monk who set himself on fire in front of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy in protest of cattle slaughter, was conducted today at the Kahawatta Poronuwa grounds. A large crowd including numerous Buddhist monks participated in the funeral. Pix by Ajith Lal Shanthaudaya and  Aruna Herath

Setting an example?

An ice-cream Dansala organised by the Excise Department for the second time was held today outside its head office in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Journalist dealing with heroin

A Pakistani journalist was arrested at Orugadawatta last night by Excise Department officials on charges of having possessed one kilogram of heroin worth Rs.5 million. Pix by Samantha Perera

Exposition of Mihintale crest gem

The crest gem that is due to adorn the Mihintale Stupa was on exposition today in the Sri Shylabimbarama Purana Wiharaya in Yagodamulla, Gampaha A large number of devotees thronged the area to participate in the process of venerating it. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sapugaskanda: Pipeline repairs in progress

Technicians are seen repairing the broken hose used to pump crude oil to the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery (SOR) from the tanker. The resumption of operations at the country’s only oil refinery was further delayed as the hose broke down. Picture courtesy Minister of Petroleum Industries

Vesak celebrations

Vesak celebrations at Gangaramaya continued last night around the Beire Lake and the Temple luring a large crowd from many places. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Warm welcome for President in Beijing

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in China this morning (May 27), commencing a four-day state visit. President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wikaramasinghe Rajapaksa were warmly welcomed  Pix by President's Media

Gangarama Vesak Zone

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne ceremonially turned on the lights to illuminate Gangarama Vesak Zone yesterday evening. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Government MP Namal Rajapaksa also took part in this event. Pix by Gayan Amarasekera

Video: At Borella

Members of the Sihala Ravaya are seen having a heated argument with the law enforcement authorities in front of the Jayaratne Florists, Borella against sending the body of the monk, Ven. BowatteIndraratna Thera, who died by self-immolation to Ratnapura. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vesak Pandals in Colombo

Pictures show ‘Vesak Pandals’ around the Colombo city depicting Jathaka stories. Large crowds thronged the Colombo city during the Vesak season.  Pix by Samantha Perera

I gave everything to cricket-Mahela

“As any other cricketer I have been through the ups and downs, at the start and then in the middle of my career,” Mahela Jayawardena tells Vijay Lokapally of 'Sportstar'.

Sharing a meal on Vesak Day

Several Dansals have been organised on Vesak Day. People are seen organising and participating at Dansals in the Colombo City.  Pix By Nisal Baduge

Giant Buddhist flag

A giant Buddhist flag -- 100 feet long and 50 feet wide -- designed by K. Hemapala was displayed for the 5th consecutive year along Baseline Road in Dematagoda. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Vesak celebrations

Thousands of devotees thronged the temples all over the country to attend religious observances to mark the Vesak day this morning. The picture shows devotees at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya engaged in religious observances.   Pix By Nisal Baduge

Religious programme at Sirikotha

A religious programme was held at the UNP Head Quarters Sirikotha today guided by Ven. Udahamulle Siriwimala Thera to mark the dawn of Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.  UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other party members participated at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Preparing for Vesak

Three Bikkhunis preparing lanterns to celebrate this year’s Vesak in a temple at Kirindiwela. Vesak is observed traditionally by Buddhists all around the world to commemorate the birth, enlightenment (nirv?na) and death (Parinirv?na) of Gautama Buddha. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Getting ready for Vesak

Novice Buddhist monks at the Ampara Vidyananda Pirivena are getting ready for the Vesak festival. A number of religious activities have been scheduled at the Pirivena in view of Vesak. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Final touches for Vesak

Vesak Pandals in Gangarama, Nawaloka, Kosgas Junction and Dematagoda are nearing completion with only a few days left to mark Vesak. Pix by Samantha Perera

Customs smells perfume in container

The Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) seized a 40-foot container with perfume, shoes and cheese estimated to cost more than Rs.40 million. The officials said that the container had been declared as textile material. Six suspects had been arrested over the incident. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Building on fire

A fire broke out in a vehicle spare parts shop in New Pradeepa Mawatha, Maligawatta this evening. Police suspect that an electrical leak caused the fire. Maradana police are conducting further investigations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana