‘Sight First’

The ‘Sight First’ eye clinic organised by the UNP led Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya was held in Kotte today. Pictured here, the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe hands over a pair of spectacles to an elderly person. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: ‘Uthuru Janani’ inaugurated

‘Uthuru Janani’ the 24 Megawatts electricity power plant in Jaffna was inaugurated today by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the participation of the Minister of Power and Energy, Pavithra Wanniarachchi. Pix by President’s Media ???

New alliance...

Leaders of the Vipakshaye Virodahya led by opposition leader Ranil Wickremsinghe seen raising their hands at the New Town Hall soon after they had today signed the MOU for the setting up of a joint political movement. Pix By Kushan Pathiraja

Pow- Wow!

Secretary General of the Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L Peiris, MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunge were present at the discussion.

Diplomatic challenges

A joint seminar on political and diplomatic challenges faced by nations during and after conflict "Confined to Borders" was held recently at the Kadirgamar Institute. The keynote address was delivered by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Quazi judges meet

The Annual conference of the Quazi Judges of Sri Lanka was held recently under the patronage of Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem and other officials. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A giant skate fish caught in Ambalantota

A giant skate fish was caught in a large fishery net (seine) Saturday (9) at Welipatanwila in Ambalantota.The female stake weighed 1,500 kilograms and she was found to be pregnant, according to the fishermen.

Video:MR at Tirupati

President Mahinda Rajapaksa offered prayers at Tirupati temple in India.

Bodu Bala Sena’s news conference

Bodu Bala Sena today held a news conference in Colombo to express their opinion on the speech made by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva in response to the Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe’s speech in parliament regarding the Bodu Bala Sena. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

MR visits Bodh Gaya

President Mahinda Rajapaksha, who is on a two-day visit to India, arrived at the Bodh Gaya Aiport this morning. He was seen worshipping the “Sri Maha Bodhi”, where the Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.Courtesy-President Media  

Video: Meteorite fragments found

Professor Chandana Jayaratne, who visited the spot where the fragments from a meteorite are suspected to have fallen, is seen checking the fragments. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cremation of the late Wimalawansa Thera

The cremation of the chief incumbent of the Matigahathenne Wimalawansa Moratuwa Egodauyana Sunandopananda Thera, who was assassinated recently, was held today at the Sunandopananda school grounds. Pictured here are the remains of the late thero being carried to the crematorium by the Bhikshu. Pix by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka

Peddlers call for occupational security

The Federation of self Employees today held a protest march from the Fort Railway station to the Hilton Roundabout against the move to ban their trade in buses and trains. They handed over a petition to the President citing their requests and grievances. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Mounted police on their way back

The Sri Lanka mounted police personnel are seen on their way back after controlling vehicular traffic near the Central Bank area this morning. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Survival is a daily struggle

Anti-Imperialist People’s Movement staged a Protest march from the Lake-House roundabout to the Hyde Park this evening mainly urging the government to bring down the unbearable cost-of-living. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Stale fruits under the hammer

Seven people were today arrested by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) in Kandy on charged of selling fruits which were not suitable for human consumption. CAA officials said stocks worth five million rupees were confiscated. Pix by Shane Senavirathna

“To restore independence”

Judge Sisira Rathnayake assumed duties as the new secretary of the Judicial Services Commission yesterday, after former Secretary Manjula Thilakarathne was transferred. Thilakarathne was at the centre of controversy after he in an open letter asserted the waning independence of the Judiciary. He was later assaulted by unidentified goons. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest by Colombo Municipality employees

Employees of the Colombo Municipality today took to the streets in protest over the cadre report that calls for a reduction in the number of Municipal employees and a reduction in their salary scales. The employees are seen at the protest rally. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Queen Mary 2 in Colombo

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau welcomed the vessel “MV Queen Mary 2" today at a brief ceremony held at the Colombo harbour. The luxury carrier, owned by a UK based company, had more than 2300 tourists from the USA, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.

65th Independence Day...

Sri Lanka today celebrated its 65th Independence Day in Trincomalee. Picture shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa hoisting the national flag. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Navy accords 25-gun salute

The Navy today accorded a 25-gun salute at the Lighthouse in Colombo to mark Sri Lanka’s 65th Independence Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Forgiven on Independence Day

Some 1,200 prisoners in remand over minor offences were released today from prisons countrywide on account of the 65th Independence Day celebrations. One hundred and fifty prisoners including 13 females and 137 males were among those released from the Welikada prisons. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Video: Rescued

The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued a total of 138 Burmese and Bangladesh nationals from a sinking ship off the eastern sea and brought to the Oluvil fishing harbor this morning. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Japan donates Rs.90 mn for NE returnees

Japan donated Rs.90 Million to an NGO today to develop livelihood of returnees in the Northern and Eastern provinces. The donation was handed over at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Cartoon of the day

Minister Ranawaka assumes duties

Minister Champika Patali Ranawaka assumed duties of his new portfolio as Minister of Technology and Innovation today.  Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Namal visits hospitalised law student

Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa today visited the final-year law student Achala Priyadharashini, who lost an arm due to medical negligence at the Colombo National Hospital. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: ‘On the top of the world!’

Samali Udara Liyanage, Shehani Gunathilake and Upeksha Sewwandi who topped the list in the Information Technology, Arts and Commerce streams at the 2012 GCE A/L examination seen happy over their achievement. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

In memoriam

The 17th commemoration in memory of the employees and citizens, who lost their lives in the bomb blast at the Central Bank, was held today at the monument erected in the bank. 41 people died in a dastardly attack by the LTTE on January 31, 1996. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Cartoon of the day