Vap full moon Poya day is of paramount importance to Buddhists world wide and particularly for us in Sri Lanka due to a number of special events that took place on this particular poya day including King Devanampiyatissa’s invitation to King Asoka to establish the Bhikkhuni Sasana in Sri Lanka. Pictured here are devotees observing religious rituals at the Kelaniya Temple. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
President Mahinda Rajapaksa enjoys a juicy pineapple while talking to the people in the Imbulgoda area on his way back from a function at the Attanagalle Rajamaha Vihara today. President Rajapaksa stopped at a fruit stall after seeing pineapples on display on his way back to Colombo. Pic Courtesy President’s Media
A wild elephant that was roaming in Kottukachchiya in Anamaduwa was treated by a wildlife veterinary surgeon yesterday. The condition of the elephant, that was said to have walking difficulties, seemed critical according to the veterinary surgeon attending to it. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
US Ambassador Michele J. Sison paid a visit to view the historic Dutch Fort in Batticaloa and see the completion of the $52,000 grant made under the 2011 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). Here Conservator Pali Wijeratne showing the Ambassador the Fort as it stands today. Picture courtesy US Embassy
A ceremony was held to launch a publication commemorating the 18th death anniversary of the late Gamini Dissanayake at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall last evening. The publication is titled ‘Leader Par Excellence, Gamini Dissanayake – Reminiscences. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
Fishermen in the Southern Province today staged a protest demanding a ban on the import of fish and canned fish and to provide a profitable market for the local production of fish. Fisher folk in several areas with the members of their families joined the protest. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayrauk
Patients waiting at the OPD unit in the Colombo General Hospital this morning despite the 24-hour countrywide strike by the Government doctors. The strike was launched because the government had failed to increase the basic salaries and special allowances of doctors and had not provided a special transport allowance enjoyed by other state sector employees. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The Joint Trade Union Committee of Teachers and Principals staged a protest march from the Rajagiriya Ayurvedic roundabout to the Isurupaya Education Ministry today, demanding a pay hike and to resolve other issues pertaining to the education sector. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine staged a protest march from Colombo National Hospital to Health Ministry today urging the authorities to resolve their professional issues such as increasing Call duty allowances, Overtime allowances, promotions to the first grade and some other demands. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
More than 3000 former LTTE cadres who once fought against the security forces have now joined the Civil Defence Force (CDF) after completing their rehabilitation process and most of them are stationed in the Mulaithivu and Kilinochchi districts where they are working at farms with an area of 200 acres run by the CDF to meet the daily food requirements of the armed forces. Pix by Romesh Madushanka
The collective of pensioners’ associations staged a protest outside the ministry of state administration urging the authorities to do away with their salary anomalies and resovle this matter by allocating funds in the next budget. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
Minister Basil Rajapaksa and UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera are seen here sharing a lighter moment during the ‘Business Today Top Twenty Five awards’ ceremony that was held yesterday at Hilton Colombo. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was also present at the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) and the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) distributed leaflets today at the Fort Railway station to educate the public about the importance of a 6% GDP allocation for education. Pix by Nisal Baduge
Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Western Provincial Councilor Udaya Gammanpila are seen exchanging quiet words during a special forum titled “Ekiya Rata Surakimu” organized by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), at the Public Library in Colombo today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
A wild elephant, known as 'Kora Aliya' that has turned a great threat to the safety of residents in several villages of the Ampara district was tranquilized by Wildlife Department officials this morning in order to be transported to Pinnawala.Pix and video by Wasantha Chandrapala
A new train service from Colombo Fort to Nanu Oya via Kandy was launched today with the participation of the Deputy Transport Minister Rohana Dissanayake. The new train which comprises luxury compartments, second class and third class compartments will leave Colombo Fort at 8.10 am and reach Nanu Oya at 2.00 pm. It will return from Nanu Oya at 2.50 pm and reach Colombo Fort at 8.47 pm. It will stop only at main stations. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
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