The Sinhala Rawaya organisation founded by a group of Buddhist monks handed over a letter to the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka today, thanking the Australian government for ruling out suggestions by interested separatists groups to take legal action against President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on a visit to Australia to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa waits to deliver his keynote address at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth on October 27, 2011 ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) this week. The CHOGM talks, to be opened by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on October 28, will debate whether the body should adopt a charter of common values, and create the office of commissioner for democracy, rule of law and human right
After the Local Government election for the Municipal councils, Colombo District Municipal Council Mayor (CMC) A. J. M. Muzammil today celebrated the Deepavali festival at the Colombo CMC. Colombo Municipal Council's Commissioner Badrani Jayawardena also participated this occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Deepavali a festival celebrated by Hindus all over the worlds and popularly known as the festival of lights falls today. This festival has a sublime significance, for it symbolises the victory of good forces over evil forces. The picture shows Hindu devotees talking part in religious rituals in light of the Deepavali Festival at the New Kathiresan Kovil in Bambalapitiya. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K Illangakone handed over Rs.13.6 million to 240 persons including officers from the CID and civilians who assisted in conducting investigations over the Central Bank bomb blast in 1996 and for contributing in resolving conflicts, helping investigations and tracking down suspects. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
Rescue workers carry a baby from a collapsed building in Ercis, near the eastern Turkish city of Van, October 25, 2011. A 14-day-old baby was rescued alive from the rubble of a collapsed building on Tuesday, 46 hours after an earthquake struck southeast Turkey, a Reuters Television journalist said. REUTERS
The Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry today handed over 367 LTTE activists to their relations at an occasion held at the Rama Krishna Hall in Wellawatta. Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathna, Cabinet Minister and the Leader of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party, Douglas Devananda and Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, Chandrasiri Gajadeera graced the occasion. Pix by Samantha Perera
A media briefing was held on October 24, to announce the commencement of the World Spice Food Festival 2011, which will get underway from October 28 to November 9, in Colombo. This year’s event will see the participation of some of the worlds’ best chefs who will work alongside their local counterparts, to unleash an eclectic selection of flavours, for the culinary pleasure of all. The festival also includes a Hawker Street style conc
The JVP today held a protest rally outside the Fort Railway Station to urge the government to grant concessions to the people as promised in the previous budget. Protesters are seen braving the heavy rain and shouting slogans. Pix by Samantha Perera
An exhibition is being held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), named Technology Marketplace (TM). It is being organised by the Ministry of Technology and Research (MoTR). The exhibition will be held from October 24 to 25, 2011. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
Rescue workers work to save people trapped under debris after an earthquake in Ercis, near the eastern Turkish city of Van, early October 24, 2011. More than 100 people were confirmed killed and hundreds more feared dead on Sunday when the powerful earthquake hit southeast Turkey, flattening buildings and leaving survivors crying for help from under the rubble. REUTERS
New Zealand's All Blacks pulled off a historic 8-7 victory against France, taking the Rugby World Cup in front of a home crowd and winning the title of world champions for the first time in 24 years. New Zealand All Blacks captain Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis cup after the 2011 Rugby World Cup final match New Zealand vs France at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland. AFP
A fire drill was held today to educate the employees of Sri Lanka Insurance and the thousands of daily clientele patronising the services of the company at ‘Rakshana Mandiraya’. The drill looked into fire fighting methods and life saving strategies which will be useful in a sudden break of a fire. The Sri Lanka Air Force, Army, Police and Fire brigade unit of the Colombo Municipality participated in the programme. Pix by Pradeep Pat
A team of doctors successfully performed the first ever liver transplant, where the liver of a mother who was alive and well was transplanted in her daughter at a private hospital in Colombo. Medical professionals said the 20-hour surgery was carried out at Nawaloka Hospital and was considered a milestone in the management of chronic liver disease in Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
A man purported to be Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is seen in this still image taken from video footage October 20, 2011. Gaddafi was killed on Thursday as Libya's new leaders declared they had overrun the last bastion of his long rule, sparking wild celebrations that eight months of war may finally be over. Details of the death near Sirte of the fallen strongman were hazy but it was announced by several officials of the National Transitiona
Young Asia Television (YA TV) in partnership with Film South Asia Secretariat, Nepal and the India-Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo organised, “The Film South Asia Representative” this evening at the Indian Cultural Centre Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The All Island Acting Principles Union today staged a protest in front of the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, urging the government on prior information with regard to trade union action demanding permanency for Acting Principals’ and Principals covering up duties. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
The head of the NGO “S.O.S. Rescate Fauna Marina” Richard Tesore feeds a female baby La Plata dolphin (Pontoporia Blainvillei) in the sea of Piriapolis, 90 km (56 miles) to the east of Montevideo, October, 2011. The dolphin, with its umbilical cord still attached, was found beached near Montevideo city and was sent to the NGO. REUTERS
The tanker Awanuia and a tug boat carry out operations to pump oil from the stricken container ship Rena, about 14 nautical miles (22 km) from Tauranga, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island October 2011, 13 days after it struck the Astrolabe Reef. Rough weather on Tuesday forced salvage teams to halt pumping oil from the stricken container ship in what has turned into the country's worst environmental disaster in decades. Pic
A container lorry transporting a consignment of 500 tons of cement ran off the road at the Seventh Mile Post in Akurana on the Matale- Kandy Road and went down a slope causing extensive damage to a house and a shop early this morning. The lorry was wrecked in the incident but no one was injured. Investigations are being conducted. Pix by Mohamed Asik
The official bodyguard of Parliamentarian Duminda Silva who allegedly shot former Parliamentarian and Presidential Advisor on Trade Union Affairs Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was brought to court under cover from prisons to be produce before an identification parade today. Pix by Samantha Perera.
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