May day rallies 2014

Nature

All set for May Day

May Day posters of various political parties and unions that appeared in Colombo and the suburbs were captured on film today. A number of May Day rallies are scheduled to be held in Colombo tomorrow. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

May Day makes no difference

While preparations are underway for tomorrow’s May Day celebrations, workers in Colombo Fort are seen toiling for a living. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

New track…on track

Seen here a freight train moving along the new Madhu Medawachiya railway line which is nearing completion. The railway line was destroyed during the war and is now being reconstructed by the Indian State venture IRCON. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Rs.30mn birth control vials seized

A stock of 30,000 vials containing Depo-Provera (injection used for birth control) valued at Rs. 30 million was seized by the Customs Revenue Task Force today. The contraband was brought illegally from Pakistan and hidden under a stock of potato containers. The raid was conducted by the Director of Customs Mali Piyasena. Video and Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Getting ready for the red day

May Day celebrations of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will be held at the BRC Grounds, Thimbirigasyaya on May 1st. Picture shows the supporters arranging the stage for the day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Justice- seen to be done?

A senior police officer is seen saluting a smiling UPFA parliamentarian Duminda Silva soon after he returned home after he was granted bail. He is a suspect in the Mulleriyawa shooting, in which Lakshman Bharatha Premachandra and three others were killed. Pic by Gayan Amarasekara

Cartoon of the day

Video: Trade unions vow token strike on May 21

The Coordination Committee for Trade Union Alliance (CCTUA) said it would give the government time till May 20 before resorting to union action. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: ‘Hate has no place in Lanka’

A voluntary movement of concerned Sri Lankans held a Rally for Unity to celebrate Diversity this morning in Colombo while expressing concern over the ‘spate of hate speech’ and ‘marginalization of minority communities’ in Sri Lanka. The event was titled ‘Hate Has No Place in Sri Lanka’. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ranil in Vavuniya

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe visiting shops in Vavuniya to distribute party membership cards. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Duminda all smiles

MP Duminda Silva is seen smiling when he left the Navaloka Hospital this morning. A massive crowd that had gathered outside the Hospital to welcome him was seen shouting slogans. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Another anti-hike protest in Seeduwa

A man is seen carrying a flaming torch at a protest organized by the UNP in Seeduwa this evening against the electricity tariff hike. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Ex-LTTEers in Parliament

An ex-LTTE cardre is seen enjoying his visit to Parliament today.  Some 375 rehabilitated LTTEers visited parliament as a part of the North-South Friendship Tour programme.

Duminda’s bail application signed

Duminda Silva’s lawyers are seen leaving the Nawaloka Hospital after signing his Bail application today. He was granted Rs 50,000 cash bail with two sureties for Rs 500,000 each by the Colombo High Court on Tuesday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tense situation

The protesters are seen outside the Moratuwa Municipal Council attempting to prevent Mr. Pushpakumara from attending the Council meeting.  Pix by Pinsiri Perera, Rekha Tharangani and Suranjith Perera

Botanical garden in Ambalanthota

The government is planning to open the first ever botanical garden in a dry zone in Mirijjawila, Ambalanthota at the end of this year. Minister of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Jayarathne Herath today visited the place to inspect the progress of construction . This will be the fourth botanical garden in Sri Lanka. Pix by Sanath Gamage

Colombo-Katunayake Highway nearing completion

Eighty per cent of the Colombo-Katunayake Highway construction has been completed and it is due to be opened in August this year. Once finished the commute between Colombo and Katunayake would be reduced to twenty minutes according to engineers. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Engaging in religious observances

Devotees engaged in religious observances at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple today coinciding with Bak Full Moon Poya day. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

1000-foot Buddhist flag for ‘Kap Ruk Puja’

A Buddhist flag 1,000 feet in length is being taken by villagers from Kadahapola at Narammala to be offered at the Sri Maha Bodhi for the 'Kap Ruk Puja' to seek blessings and peace for Sri Lanka.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

New Year at Welikada magazine

A New Year festival organised by the Welikada magazine prison was held today. Commissioner General of Prisons Mr. C. Pallegama participated in the ceremony. The festival comprised all traditional games and activities. Pictured here two groups of inmates are engaged in tug-of-war traditional game. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

JVP campaign in Fort

Leaders of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today held a leaflet distributing campaign in front of the Fort railway station urging the government to reduce the recent increased electricity tariffs. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Chinese delegation discuss future plans

The Chinese delegation included a number of high-ranking officials from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce who were at Temple Trees this evening to take part in the joint economic and trade commission discussed the plans for the next three to five years. (President’s media)

Video: Tripping the tariff hike

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today held a petition campaign in front of the Ceylon Electricity Board headquarters in Colombo urging the government to reduce the recent increased electricity tariffs. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???

Media and conflict resolution

A SAARC media conference was held to discuss the role of media in conflict resolution and peace building, at Hotel Taj Samudra today. The discussion was held jointly by SCCRC Information Centre and the Ministry of Mass Media. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

From Bahrain with love

A delegation of the Bahrain government led by Speaker of Bahrain Parliament Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Dharani arrived in Sri Lanka last morning. The delegation was given a warm welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody. Pix by Deepa Adikari

CDF celebrate New Year

A New Year festival organised by the Civil Defence Force was held today at the Sedawatta grounds. The festival comprised all traditional games and activities. Director General Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Book on Lalith

The book titled “Lalith Athulathmudali” written by Nandana Kumarapeli  was launched at the Jayawardana Centre today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

JVP against electricity tariff hike

Members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) staged a protest at the Maharagama town this evening against the increase in the electricity tariff. Picture shows protesters holding flaming torches during the protest. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja, Shantha Senevirathne