OCH opened from Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya

The Outer Circular Highway (OCH) from Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya was declared opened by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening. Highways and Road Development Minister Kabir Hashim, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga and Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayake were also present at the event. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Mali-bound next CCC salutes Army Chief

The new contingent of 243 Army personnel of the Combat Convoy Company (CCC) of the Sri Lanka Army, set to leave for Mali to serve in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission (MINUSMA) presented a formal military salute to the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Headquarters at Boyagane this morning. 

Artistes backing SLPP hold news briefing

A group of artistes backing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) held a news briefing in Rajagiriya on Wednesday. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Against MCC

A protest was staged today outside the US Embassy Colombo by a group of religious leaders and civil rights activists. They also handed over an epistle to the Embassy requesting no to proceed with signing of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement.

Engrossed in conversation…

Former president and senior patron of the SLFP, Chandrika Kumaratunga is engrossed in a conversation with ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Mangala Samaraweera at the SLFP gathering held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium today. SLFP stalwart Kumara Welgama also looks on. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Waiting for gas...

An acute LP gas shortage is being experienced in most parts of the country forcing some gas outlets to shut down because of the lack of sufficient gas stocks.

Fast against MCC agreement

Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa Thera today launched a fast in protest against the controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) agreement with the US at the Independence Square, Colombo. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Seized cigarettes destroyed

A consignment worth more than Rs. 60 million of illegally imported cigarettes from United Arab Emirates (UAE) was destroyed at the Ceylon Tobacco Company warehouse in Colombo today. (Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisighe)

EU observers in Vavuniya

European Union election observers were present at a business forum which was held in Vavuniya on Saturday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

‘Denuwara Menike’

The imported new luxury S14 Chinese Power set named ‘Denuwara Menike’ is seen making its first journey to Badulla.

DNF formed

The agreement for the formation of the Democratic National Front (DNF) was today signed by several political parties including the United National Party (UNP), the ’Api Sri Lanka movement’ led by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and several other civil society groups.

Robots at BIA

The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) attached to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today conducted drugs and narcotics inspections with the use of two robots for the first time in police history. The two robots were received as a donation from the Chinese Government.

Gota meets professionals of Muslim community

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa met the professionals of the Muslim community at an event organised by the National Muslim Collective held in Colombo Thursday night. SLPP and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, Governor A.J.M. Muzammil, MPs Faizer Mustapha and Mahinda Amaraweera were also present at the event. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Manifesto launched…

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen in conversation with New Democratic Front (DNF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa at the launching of his election manifesto in Kandy today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Explaining election process

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya was seen explaining the tedious and complex election process to the media at his office today where he said due to the long list of presidential candidates in the fray at the presidential poll – 2019, the EC had to use three varieties of reinforced cardboard boxes for small, middle-sized and extra-large polling stations.

Sri Lanka People’s Freedom Alliance formed

Seventeen political parties including the SLFP and SLPP signed an agreement to form a new alliance by the name Sri Lanka People’s Freedom Alliance (Sri Lanka Podujana Nidahas Sandhanaya) in Colombo today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sajith in Kinniya rally

New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Minister Rauff Hakeem are seen at an election rally held in Kinniya in the Trincomalee District today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

PM briefs media...

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen at a media briefing held at Temple Trees to brief on the development projects launched by the government during the last five years. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Two environmental awards for WNL

The Presidential Environmental Award 2019 was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre this morning. The Hokandara complex of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd (WNL) received two awards at the ceremony. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Coastal flooding

Coastal flooding hit the stretch between Telwatta and Kahawa off the Galle Road yesterday prompting the police to suspend vehicular traffic severely affecting road transport.

Warner notches a ton

David Warner emphatically bounced back to form with a first-ever Twenty20 century to power Australia to a prolific 233 for two against Sri Lanka in Adelaide on Sunday.(AFP)

Landslide on Ella-Wellawaya road

Soil and rocks are seen on the Ella-Wellawaya main road obstructing vehicular movement on the road. The road has been closed until further notice.

Going through the manifesto

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa are seen going through the manifesto, which was launched this morning at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre.

SL T20I team meets Australian PM

Sajith at Poddala rally

New Democratic Front presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in an election rally held at Poddala in Galle yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Remembering Gamini Dissanayake

Yesterday was the 25th memorial of late UNP strongman Gamini Dissanayake. A floral tribute to the Gamini Dissanayake Statue at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7, was held by the family members and friends of the late parliamentarian. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Catch me if you can!

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesting Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) students at the Lotus Roundabout in Colombo today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

PM, the water boy

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was seen on duty as the water boy during the one-off T20 warm-up match held between Sri Lanka and Prime Minister’s XI played in Canberra on Thursday.

Avukana derailment being repaired

The railway track segment which was damaged due to derailment of the Meena Gaya Intercity train was under construction by the workers of the Railways Department. The train derailed on Tuesday (22) at the Avukana area while en route to Batticaloa.

Mini floods...

Several roads in Colombo city are seen affected with minor floods due to torrential rain showers this morning.