A woman prepares traditional sweets for sale on the rooftop of her house, ahead of Eid al-Adha, in the port city of Sidon, southern Lebanon November 3, 2011. Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid-al-Adha, marking the end of the haj, by slaughtering sheep, goats, cows and camels to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God's command. REUTERS
Smoke rises from the burning passenger and car ferry Pella at the Red Sea November 3, 2011. Passengers escaped on lifeboats and nobody was killed when a fire broke out on a ferry carrying more than 1,200 people from the Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba to Egypt on Thursday, Egyptian officials said. REUTERS
A sudden oil leakage from an oil tunnel near the Bloemendhal Area, lying between the Colombo harbour and Kolonnawa this morning was immediately brought to the notice of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation by residents of the area. The oil distributing company said that the leaking pipe was repaired promptly. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
Four demining machines worth around Rs.302 million was handed by the Russia Federation to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning at the Ministry of Defence. Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Vladimir P. Mikhaylov and Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya were also present at the occasion.Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana
An unusually white Langur in a herd frequenting the Sigiriya World Heritage area has become the cynosure of visitors. Environmentalists said a distorted gene may have resulted in its colour. However, its ears are unusually rose coloured and its eyes white. The World Conservation Society has found the langurs in the dry zone of Sri Lanka and they belong to an animal species endangered with extinction. Therefore environmentalists have stressed th
A documentary film called ‘Freedom Speaks’ was made by a group of young film-makers, during an entourage made to Mullaithivu, Puthukudiyirippu and Kilinochchi. Seen here is the chief guest, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa sharing a light moment with Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama at the offi
Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris speaking at a press conference today said, many of the allegations brought against Sri Lanka, in various reports, were contradicted by the written statements made by then UN Representative in Sri Lanka Neil Buhne. Also present was the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Karunatilaka Amunugama. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The ‘Bindunu Putuwata Daathe Saviyak’ programme, a programme to repair desks and chairs in schools in the Western Province concluded at St. Joseph’s Girls College in Nugegoda this morning. The programme was launched under a concept given by Western Province Minister Udaya Gammanpila. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
A large tree falls on top of a car after an early snowfall in Worcester, Massachusetts October 30, 2011. A rare October snowstorm bore down on the heavily populated Northeast on Saturday into Sunday, with some areas bracing for up to a foot of snow and major power outages. REUTERS
Newborn baby girl Wattalage Muthumani, who was born at the Castel Street Maternity Hospital, is the “seven billionth” in the world. The milestone was marked as part of the U.N.'s seven billion global population projection. The world's population was said to reach seven billion on October 31, 2011, according to projections by the United Nations Population Fund, which says this global milestone presents both an opportunity and a
Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva entering the Solis Hall where he held a media briefing today to explain matters relating to a proposed move to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe his conduct during his tenure as chief Justice. He charged that the independence of the judiciary would be further eroded by this probe. Pic by Nisal Badhuge
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
Floods prompt couple to use canoes for homecoming instead of car
Britain says it implements strategies to boost trade with SL
33,000 new cancer cases, 19,000 deaths last year