FUTA protests again

Federation of University Teacher’s Association (FUTA) today staged a protest march from Colombo University to the Public library to express objection to the Government’s failure to grants their demands. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

For a professional police service

The Ministry of Defence and Urban Development organized a programme called ‘Siyapathwila’ in order for a professional prestigious people friendly police service. The first programme was held today at the Kularatne Hall, Ananda College under the patronage of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. CDS Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunethilake, tri services chiefs and IGP N.K Illangakoon were also present at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Cartoon of the day

Court orders SF hospital treatment

A Colombo High Court judge today ordered the Prisons authorities to admit jailed Sarath Fonseka to the Nawaloka hospital for indoor treatments as he was suffering from asthmatic bronchitis. Pictures show the former Army Commander arriving at the court premises. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ranil appoints organizers

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake addressing a gathering at Sirikotha this morning at the ceremony for the appointment of electoral and district organizers. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Where are the museum robbers?

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) staged a protest in front of the National Museum on Tuesday demanding authorities to reveal the identities of the thieves who were involved in the Museum robbery on March 15 and questioning the failure to arrest those involved. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Vows to the God

Hirunika Premachandra and her supporters are seen dashing coconuts outside the Colombo Magistrate’s court today, asking the gods to punish those who threatened her with death and to punish those who killed former presidential adviser Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Pix by Samantha Perera

Before the summit

South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak (2nd R) shakes hands with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa (2nd L), as Lee's wife Kim Yoon-ok (L) and Rajapaksa's wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa look on, before their summit at the official presidential house, the Blue House, in Seoul April 24, 2012. REUTERS

‘Release our children’

Parents of youths taken into custody during a raid in the Borella area during a search operation carried out by the Police, lodged complaints against sixteen police stations at the Human Rights Commission today. They also urged the police to release them as they are innocent. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

21 bailed after T20 watta arrest

A Colombo Additional Magistrate today released 21 people who were alleged to have been involved in heroin trafficking and criminal activities, on Rs 25.000 personal bail and at the same time remanding two suspects court ordered the aggrieved parties to complain to the police hierarchy on about six persons who had gone astray after arrest. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

SL president in South Korea

For a four-day official visit on an invitation extended by his South Korean counterpart, President Lee Myung-Bak, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived today (23) at Seoul Air Base in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sung-han welcomed President Rajapaksa on his arrival at the airport and two Sri Lankan children welcomed the First Lady. (Pix by Sudath Silva)

Boulder falls onto railway line

A massive boulder that rolled down Magalhanda hill between Beruwala and Maggona obstructed the railway line last morning. The train service on the southern coastal line was delayed for about one hour until the obstruction was cleared. (Pix by Sarath Siriwardene)

New Year Celebration in Prison

A large number of inmates of the Welikada prison today  participated in a New Year festivity which included a variety of traditional events. Picture shows, one of the inmates taking part in the fancy dress parade. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Elephant race

Elephant race is one of the several events that are included in the New Year festival held in Horana today. Pix by  Nimali Kahawala

Siyambalapitiya denies involvement in robbery

Telecommunications and Information Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya in a letter to Police Chief N.K Illangakone has denied his involvement in the recent robbery at the National Museum.

2012 French Presidential Election

A man waits in line to cast his vote during the 2012 French Presidential Election, in Sydney April 22, 2012. France votes on Sunday in round one of a presidential vote, with a feeble economy that could make Nicolas Sarkozy the country's first president to lose a fight for re-election in more than 30 years. REUTERS

Shuttles meet nose-to-nose

Space Shuttles Enterprise, left, and Discovery meet nose-to-nose at the beginning of a transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Virginia April 19, 2012. Space shuttle Discovery, the first orbiter retired from NASA’s shuttle fleet, completed 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, orbited the Earth 5,830 times, and traveled 148,221,675 miles will take the place of Enterprise at the center to commemo

Plane crash kills all 127 onboard

Pakistani rescue workers and media personnel gather at the site of a plane crash in the outskirts of Islamabad on April 20, 2012. Up to 130 people are feared dead after a Boeing 737 crashed while trying to land in bad weather near the Pakistani capital Islamabad on April 20, officials said. The Bhoja Air flight from Karachi came down outside Islamabad's international airport, police official Fazle Akbar said, adding that emergency teams have

Rain.. rain…

Several roads in Colombo and its suburbs flooded with rain water this evening as a result of heavy showers. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Monks protest in Dambulla

Pictures show Buddhist monks and group of people protesting against the construction of a mosque and a Hindu temple in Dambulla. Ven. Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thera of Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya said that the construction area was inside the Buddhist sacred zone and that erecting houses of worship for other religions there, was illegal. He demanded the authorities stop the construction immediately. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Freedom…

The Sri Lankan fishermen, who were rescued by the Spanish Navy on Wednesday off the coast of Tanzania, are seen with the members of the Spanish navy soon after the rescue operation. (Photo courtesy Spanish Ministry of Defence)

Giant croc saved

A crocodile measuring more than 15 feet drifted to the sea due to floods through the estuary of the Nilvala River in Matara and was saved by the officials of the District Disaster Management Centre with the help of Matara police and the residents of the area yesterday. It had been struggling for survival for more than five hours before it was saved. (Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)

Ranil meets Indian delegation

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met the visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel today. Several UNP senior MPs including General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, Senior Vice President Lakshman Kiriella, Wijedasa Rajapaksa, T. M. Swarynathan, R. Yogarajan, and UNP Chairman Jayawickrema Perera participated in the discussion. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Upgraded railway track unveiled

Pictures show the upgraded coastal railway track from Kalutara to Matara which was declared opened today with the participation of the visiting Indian parliamentary delegation. (Pix by Samantha Perera)

Commander visits war heroes

In connection with the dawn of Sinhala and Hindu New Year Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya visited differently able War Heroes at the MoD built, ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’ (wellness resort) yesterday. Seen here the commander sharing a light moment with a disabled soldier who lost his eyes and both of his legs. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Seychelles Foreign Minister in SL

he Seychelles Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam arrived in the island early this morning. During the visit, the Seychelles Foreign Minister is to hold bilateral talks with the External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to discuss issues of mutual interest with a view to further enhancing  bilateral relations between the two countries. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Media person dies in fatal accident

The Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation van which met an accident  in Rambawa that killed one of its directors and injured five others. Pix by Athula Bandara

Protest against police

People attending the funeral of Nimal Chandrasiri, a fisherman in Wadduwa who died in police custody recently, held a protest during the funeral procession, today. Pix by Sandika Fonseka

Rugby season kicks off

The annual Singer Under-19 Schools’ rugby tournament kicked off today with several matches being played around the city. Seen below are pictures of the match between Zahira College and St. Benedict’s played at the Zahira Grounds in Maradana. The home team won the match 49-12. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Indian MPs visit IDPs

The Indian parliamentary delegation led by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Settikulam, Vavuniya this morning. Thereafter they met the resettle people in  Kombavil. Seen here Ms. Swaraj in discussion with the IDPs. Pix by Romesh Madusanka