Customs seize another stock of refuse tea

Customs seized 60,000 kilos of refuse tea worth around Rs.12 million which was to be exported to Kuwait in three containers at the Colombo Port. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Hirunika in Court for father’s murder trial

Hirunika Premachandra is pictured here walking to the Colombo Magistrates court, when the case of the murder of her father was taken up today. Pix by Samantha Perera

Museum stairway collapses

A wooden stairway inside the Colombo National Museum collapsed today injuring some students, teachers and parents who were on a visit to the Museum. Pix by Nisal Baduge  

Protestors call for health warning

An organisation against the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs staged a protest opposite the Ceylon Tobacco Company head office urging the company to take measures to introduce the pictorial warnings on packets of cigarettes. The matter has been taken up for hearing at the Supreme Court. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dress code

Hirunika Premachandra was today warned by the Colombo Magistrate for attending courts in attire that wasn’t suitable in a courtroom. Pictured here is Ms. Premachandra surrounded by her lawyers walking out of court. Pix by Shantha Ratnayeka

Uncertain about IPL!

Sri Lankan cricketer Lasith Malinga looks on during a practice session at The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on today, ahead of their third and final one day international (ODI) match against Bangladesh on March 28 (Thursday). AFP

Relying on word power

Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe lending an ear to an elderly woman during the launch of UNP’s new publicity force ‘Sannivedana Balakaya’ in Biyagama today while Gampaha District UNP parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene looks on. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

21st Borella Athula Dakshinaramaya Perehara

The annual Perahara of the Borella Athula Dakshinaramaya was held for the 21st time today. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen carrying the casket as the Chief incumbent Borella Athula Thero looks on. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Medin Poya programme at Sadaham Sevana

Ven. Mawarale Bhaddhiya thera conducting poya programme at Sadaham Sevana, the International Buddhist Research Centre run by Ven. Athureliye Ratana thera, in Rajagiriya. Pix By Samantha Perera

Cartoon of the day

Protest at Fort

Government, semi government and private sector employees committee today staged a signing campaign in front of the Fort railway station against the increased electricity bill. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Hands up!

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition in Ampara yesterday. President Rajapaksa and Deyata Kirula Exhibition Committee Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya seen at the Sri Lanka Police Department stall. Pix courtesy President's Media

Memorial museum for Aranthalawa massacre

A memorial museum had been inaugurated by president Mahinda Rajapakse in Aranthalawa, Ampara in remembrance of the Aranthalawa massacre of 1987. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

113 Not Out...

Tillakaratne Dilshan scored his 15th ODI century to help Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in Hambantota.(ESPN)

True humanity

A group of Ladakh Budhhist monks on a tour in Sri Lanka from Jammu Kashmir, India had offered to rescue a monkey entangled in a trap in Sigiriya yesterday. They had reportedly informed the authorities regarding the plight of the monkey and had even offered to reward Rs.100, 000 to anyone who rescues the creature. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Spotlight on D. S. Senanayake

A book titled ‘D. S. Senanayake: Maha Perakum Sevanella’ (The Reflection of Parakrama Bahu) authored by the former Primer Minister’s grandson Rukman Senanayake, was launched at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Presidential Colours for Vijayabha Regiment

Presidential colours were awarded to Sri Lanka Army’s Vijayabha Regiment today by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The event was held at the Regimental Headquarters in Kobeigane. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya were present at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

“Entrepreneur 2013”

The trade fair “Entrepreneur 2013” organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development was declared open by Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Dullas Alahapperuma at the BMICH today. It will end on Sunday (24). Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Leaving it in the hands of fate?

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC sessions, President Mahinda Rajapaksa seems to be in a joyful mood as he flips the coin at the Golden Jubilee cricket encounter between Thurstan and Isipathana today at the SSC Grounds. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

95 Tamil women enlisted to Army

A batch of Tamil women from the North and Eastern provinces was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army today. They will be recruited to the 6th Women Corp Battalion to engage in civilian affairs. The passing out ceremony was held at the Killinochchi Security Forces Headquarters, which was followed by a cultural show. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

NFF supporters protest outside US embassy

More than hundred supporters of the National Freedom Front (NFF) staged a protest outside the US Embassy in Colombo criticising the US sponsored resolution against Sri Lankan which was passed at the UNHRC sessions this morning. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Live video: UNHRC session

Police heroes remembered

The 149th National Police Memorial Day celebrations were held under the patronage of Inspector General of Police N.K. Ilangakoon at the Police Field Force Headquarters, Bambalapitiya this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Cartoon of the day

Prelates hand over petition

The Prelates of the four chapters handed over a petition to the Indian High Commissioner today over recent assaults on Buddhists including monks in Tamil Nadu. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Lankan Tamils protest assault on Monks

Some Sri Lankan Tamil traders staged a protest this afternoon at the Galle Face roundabout demanding the Indian government to stop violence against Sri Lankan Buddhist monks and pilgrimage. The traders handed over a Sandeshaya to the Indian High Commission after the protest. Pix by Kushan Pathirana

Gamini Dissanayake’s 71st birth anniversary

The 71st birth anniversary of the late parliamentarian and opposition leader Gamini Dissanayake was held today in front of his monument at Green Path. Mrs. Dissanayake, Naveen Dissanayake and family members took part in the ceremonies. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Another protest over attacks in TN

An organisation called the ‘Power of Ravana’ staged a protest at Galle Face Green today over the attacks on Buddhist monks in Tamil Nadu. The organisation marched to the Indian High Commission and handed over a petition. (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)

Monk attacked in TN returns

The group of pilgrims, including the Buddhist monk who was attacked in Tamil Nadu on Monday, arrived at the Katunayake International Airport today. Chief Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Galabodaatte Gnanasara Thero and some monks were present to meet them and enquire about their health. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Video: Two container loads of ethanol opened

Two container loads of ethanol imported from Vietnam were opened today by Customs officers and Excise officers in the presence of the importer. Further investigations are underway regarding the matter. The stock of ethanol was seized at Thotalanga by Excise officers on Wednesday. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel