Sri Lanka's first communication satellite is expected to be launched on November 22, 2012 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China. This geostationary satellite would become operational by mid-2013 for commercial purposes. Picture released by the supremeSAT Pvt Ltd shows officials making final touches before the launch on Thursday (22).
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana on a three-day state visit on Monday (19) at the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. The President, accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, was warmly welcomed by Kazakhstan Minister of Economic Development and Trade Erbolat Dosayevat at the Astana International Airport.
Servicemen of the three armed forces and the PSD held a blood donation campaign recently at the Abayarama temple in Narahenpitiya, to invoke blessing on the President on his birthday and in commemoration of his appointment as the President. Pix by Nisal Baduge
The National Movement for Social Justice held a meeting today with 75 civil groups, clergy, lawyers and others to discuss what collective decisions would be taken to address the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike, which they said was a violation of the law. Pix by Nisal Baduge
In a landmark event, nearly 100 Tamil girls joined the Sri Lanka Army on Saturday at a ceremony held at Bharathipuram in Kilinochchi. They will be enlisted to the Army’s Volunteer Force and assigned to serve in the 6th Battalion of the Women's Corps. Pix by Wanni Romesh Madusanka
A leaflet distribution campaign was held at the fort railway station by the JVP urging the government to immediately take concrete measures to address issues relating to education. JVP politburo member Bimal Rathnayake is pictured here during the campaign. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
Twenty two new President’s Counsel took oaths today before Chief Justice Shirani A. Bandaranayake and the Judges of Supreme Court, Appeal Court, High Court, District Court and the Magistrate’s Court. It is considered a special event in Sri Lanka’s judicial history to have 22 President’s Counsel, the highest number to have been appointed in a year. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
President Mahinda Rajapaksa today planted a ‘Sandun tree’ to coincide with the “Deyata Sevana National Tree Planting Campaign” at the Kotte Ananda Sastralaya, declaring open the newly built shrine chamber donated by Asitha Liyanage, who is a member of the Old Boys’ Society of the school. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni today left back to Uganda from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after a three-day official visit in Sri Lanka. A group of officials including Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera and Minister of Civil Aviation, Priyankara Jayaratne participated at the event. Pix by Deepa Adikari
Twenty students of another School at Gampola were admitted to Panwilatenna Hospital today. These students also had complained of symptoms similar to those of the Jinaraja Balika Vidyalaya students who were hospitalised yesterday due to an allergic reaction. Pix by Suranga Rajanayake
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka. The delegation was welcomed by a group of officials including External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris. Pix by Deepa Adikari
Hindus around the world celebrate Deepavali the festival of lights today. This festival has a sublime significance, for it symbolises the victory of good forces over evil forces. The picture shows Hindu devotees taking part in religious rituals in light of the Deepavali Festival at the Sri Manickavinayagar temple in Bambalapitiya. Pix by Samantha Perera
The last batch of IDPs from the Menik Farm was re-settled in the Keppapilavu model village in Mullaitivu. Some 180 families are residing in the village. Houses and temporary schools are being built by the military in the village.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe at the media conference of Vipakshaye Virodaya. Mav Bima Janatha Party Leader Hemakumara Nanayakra, United Socialist Party Leader Siritunga Jayasuriya, NSSP Leader Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne are also present. Pix By Kushan Pathiraja
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