UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya held a press conference today at the Bodhi Ranasinghe Foundation, on the new regulations with regard the party’s policy on speaking to the media. They also discussed a way forward for the party and the country. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
The Committee for Investigating Disappearances held a protest in front of the Fort Railway station today. The Protesters urged the government to investigate the disappearance of Journalist Prageeth Ekanilogoda who has been missing since January 24, 2010. Members of religious groups, political parties and civil society, together with those who have disappeared in the North and East participated at the protest. Pix by Pradeep Path
Inmates at the Magazine prison today set fire to the prisons record room this afternoon. The Police fired tear gas to bring the situation under control. Twenty prisoners and four Jailors were injured during the ensuing fracas. (Pix by Kithsiri De Mel & Pradeep Dilrukshana)
Sri Lanka's Army Chief Jagath Jayasuriya talks to Lalith Weeratunga, the secretary to President Mahinda Rajapakse in Buttala yesterday where Weeratunga was the chief guest at the opening of a Career Development Centre for Army officers. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana.
Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was produced before the Colombo High Court for charges of harboring army deserter’s during his election campaign. The former Army Commander and the countries only four star General denied all charges brought against him by the state. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
Trade unions employed at the Postal department staged a protest in front of its headquarters in D.R Wijeyawardena Mawatha today. The protest was held against the Post Master General who the unions accuse of being dictatorial. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkodi launched the pioneering project of Smart Metre with pre-payment capability in the parliamentary complex, while Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva look on. Pix by Kushan Patiraja
The foundation stone for the 350 metre Lotus Tower to be constructed on D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha was laid today by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and the President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. The tower is to be constructed within 30 months at a cost of US$104.3 million by the China National Electronic Import and Export Corporation. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
A van that skidded off the road this morning at the Napewatta Junction crashed into a wayside boulder causing serious injuries to the driver. Residents of the area gathered at the scene, evacuated the driver who was trapped in the wreckage and rushed him to Watupitiwala hospital. Pic by Pushpakumara Mallawarachchi
Rescuers set up a floating barrier on January 18, 2012 as the cruise liner Costa Concordia is aground in front of the harbour of the Isola del Giglio (Giglio island) after hitting underwater rocks on January 13. Rescuers looking for the 20 people still missing from the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia the same day suspended their search as the vessel shifted. AFP
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is to get a new head office in year 2013 at a cost of Rs.1600 million. The new head office, ‘Vidulakpaya’ is to be constructed in the E.D Dabare Road in Narahenpita. The foundation stone for a 10 storey building was laid by Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
The Lak Wanitha movement which is an association affiliated to Sri Lankan’s main opposition party UNP today called on the Sri Lanklan Authorities to probe the recent killing of a tourists in the southern town of Tangalle and to take effective steps to stop the harassment of women. A woman is seen holding up a placard at a protest organised by the movement in front of the office of Women and Child Affairs Ministry. (Pix by Pradeep Pathiran
The National Youth Front has come forward to provide financial assistance to renovate the UNP Headquarters, ‘Sirikotha’ which was damaged by a commotion at the election of officer bearers in December last year. Here UNP Gampaha District MP and National Youth Front President Ruwan Wijeyawardene (right) hands over a cheque to UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at his office today. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake is also present. P
The combined ‘Professions supplementary to Medicine’ staged a protest in front of the Health Ministry at Deans Road Maradana yesterday. The Protestors which included all supplementary professional’s unions called for the government to recruit all Supplementary Medical Graduates for permanent employment
Students of the Colombo University conducted a meeting against the establishment of private universities, inside the university premises today. Anticipating a clash, Policemen reinforced with water-canons and tear-gas were present at the location. However, no such clash occurred and instead, as the picture shows, students gave out hand-outs to those present, including the policeman. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi
Naval personnel attached to SLNS Vijaya in the North-Western Naval Area took timely action to save the life of an injured whale, which had washed ashore on the Vella Beach in Kalpitiya on January 13, 2012. In a mammoth effort which took some seven hours, they managed to assist the 38 foot Fin Whale to swim back to deep waters off the Dutch Bay after freeing it from the entangled fishing net which had hindered its free movement (Source: navy.lk)
President Mahinda Rajapaksa bursting into spontaneous laughter while watching the political satire ‘Puswedilla – Part 3’ at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in Colombo on Saturday. Several Parliamentarians, Ministers and artistes were also among the audience. Pix by Sudath Silva
The use of plastic crates to transport vegetables and fruits became compulsory from today, January 15, after a 30 day period was given to them by the President following discussions. However in Pettah today dozens of vendors were seen using the old method to transport the items. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana
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