Veteran Trade Union leader Bala Thampoe donated funds worth Rs. 500,000 to the FUTA at a ceremony held today. Thampoe made this donation on behalf of the trade unions he represents. Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr. Mahim Mendis accepted the donation on behalf of the University dons. Pix by Nisal Baduge
Dehli, Ceylon and MaPalaj, Indian elephants of the Swiss national circus Knie, swim in Lake Leman during an organised bathing session in Lausanne October 2, 2012. Each year the three elephants of the circus enjoy a refreshing bath in the lake during the warm late summer days. REUTERS
A bowser transporting fuel crashed into an electrical transformer near the Open University this morning. The collision caused serious injuries to the driver and heavy damage to the transformer. The injured driver was admitted to the Kalubowila hospital and is in a critical condition. Mirihana police are conducting further investigations. Pix by Tillekaratne Dissanayake
A ceremony organized by the Ministry of Public Relations and Public Affairs was held today at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to celebrate the World Children’s Day. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Mervyn Silva also participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
People turned out in their thousands today to support the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) rally at Hyde Park. Here political leaders and the public listen to one of the many speeches made at the meeting. Pix by Samantha Perera
University lecturers, civil society movements, political groups and students joined today in Colombo, for the protest march organized by the University lecturers. The protesters demand that the government spend 6% of the GDP towards the countries education with the main slogan of the protestors being “ Save state education”
Five Sri Lankans who attempted to smuggle out ancient coins, ornaments, and various other items of historical values belonging to the Polonnaruwa reign and periods of Dutch and Portuguese rule, by concealing in their baggage were arrested this evening at the Bandaranaike International Airport by the customs authorities. (Pix by By Deepa Adikari)
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) today staged a protest at Lipton Circus, Colombo over the existing fiasco in the country’s education system and call on the government to allocate six percent for the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the education sector. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage, the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy assumed duties as the 18thNaval Officer to reach the helm in the 61-year history of the Naval Service. Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage and former Commander Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake are pictured here saluting each other at theNavy Head Quarters today. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana
Anjali Upeksha Madhuwanthi Rathnayake of Thalathuoya Junior School who also received the highest marks at the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination told Daily Mirror that she did not attend tuition classes but studied what she was taught in school. Seen here Anjali Rathnayake with her friends during a school trip to Galle Face, Colombo today. (Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana)
An elephant which fell into the sewage pit near a house at Wellamudawa area in Thirappane died after struggling for hours to escape. She had fallen into a large sewage pit after crashing through the concrete cover of the pit on last night. Pix by Athula Bandara
The German Dharmadutha Society celebrated its 60th anniversary today. To mark the anniversary, a religious programme was held at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress with the participation of a large number of members and devotees. The relics casket being brought to the hall from the Athula Dassana Buddhist Centre. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) General Secretary Hassan Ali speaking to the media where he said the SLMC had signed an agreement with the government specifying conditions for SLMC support to set up an UPFA administration in the Eastern Provincial Council. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The International Day of the deaf was marked with a march from Zahira College to the John De Silva Memorial Hall, with the participation of large number of volounteers. The peace march was organized by the Western Province Social Services Department and the Central Convention of Deaf Persons in Sri Lanka. Pix by Nisal Baduge
New Board of Directors appointed for SriLankan Airlines
Hareendra Dissabandara appointed Chairman of Sri Lanka SEC
UN hosts rare special emergency session to address crisis on Coral Reefs
WB inks additional US$200 Mn to support economic reforms in SL
USD selling rate drops below Rs. 300 after 15 months
High-intensity rain pounds Sri Lanka, flood threat looms