President Mahinda Rajapaksa and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe sharing a light moment at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya on Monday evening, at the ceremonial handing over of the Chuda Manikkaya, the jewel, to the President and the Opposition Leader. It was donated by Buddhists in Myanmar for the pinnacle of the Sela Cheithiya at the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
The Lawyers’ Collective held a signature campaign today in front of the Supreme Court complex in Hulftsdorp condemning the death threats on lawyers and judges who stood up to protect the independence of the judiciary. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Former prominent Leader of the LTTE Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP is seen here unvealing the well-known Sencholai children home in Pudhukkudiyiruppu today. The place was used as an orphanage for children and was later used as a training camp by the LTTE. Pix by Priyantha Hewage-Vavuniya
The traffic lane for vehicles going southwards on Galle Road, from the top of Vihara Lane (International Buddhist Centre Road) up to the top of Ramakrishna Road, Wellawatta, will be closed for a period of 20 days from 10.00 pm today for repair work at the Ramakrishna Junction
Customs seized cigarettes, cardamom, cheese, shoes and motorbike spare parts brought from Middle East and Italy respectively under fake addresses. The value of the goods excluding the motorbike spare parts is around Rs.130 million and the goods were detected by the Customs Special Operations and Investigations unit headed by Director of Customs Mali Piyasena. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
About 60 families in the Dunukewela, a rural area in Ridimaliyadda Divisional Secretariat, are deprived of basic facilities such as roads and electricity. Pictured here is the plight the villagers have to undergo in their day to day activities. Pix by Nishantha Kumara
A news conference was held today at the Azad Sally foundation Centre with the participation of TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, Wickramabahu Karunaratne, (UPFA) Colombo Municipal Council Deputy Mayor Azad Sally, Sirithunga Jayasurya and Sarath Manamendra to discuss the present situation in the country. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
Impeached Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake while leaving her official residence said that in her 32 years of state service she had “not even taken a car permit, nor taken leave and I have always worked according to the law”. The Chief Justice was swarmed by hundreds of eager media personnel when she was leaving her official residence with her husband and son Shaveen. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???
‘Women for Justice’ held a protest rally opposite the Colombo Dewatagaha Jumma Mosque today over the beheading of Rizana Nafeek in Riyadh on January 9 after lengthy legal process. Many local and international human rights activists have condemned the execution. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Lawyers hoisted black flags in front of the Supreme Court and wore masks to protest the impending impeachment of the Chief Justice, stating that the entire process was unconstitutional. They urged the government to abide by the Supreme Court ruling which declared the PSC unconstitutional. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
A protest campaign organized by the “free women” movement against the execution of Rizana Nafeek was held opposite the Fort railway station yesterday. The movement alleged the government did not take necessary action to release the housemaid. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
Government supporters are pictured in a procession near the Parliament roundabout in Battaramulla urging the Chief Justice to resign. The protestors chanted slogans in support of the impeachment motion which is currently being debated in parliament despite opposition protest. The debate will continue tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Demonstrators led by lawyers, marched towards the Presidential Secretariat against the ongoing debate on the impeachment motion. Heavy security prevailed in the area causing a major traffic jam. Thugs wielding batons initially prevented the protestors from leaving Hulftsdorp, compelling them to use alternate routes. The crowds dispersed following a rally near the Lakehouse roundabout. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
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