Colombo book fair

A large number of people were seen on Sunday attending the Colombo International Book Fair 2019 at the BMICH on Friday. The annual exhibition, organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association, will be held till September 29 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

’Hold Me in Contempt’

’Hold Me in Contempt’, a memoir authored by former Chief Justice Shirani A. Bandaranayake was launched at the Colombo International Book Fair, which was launched yesterday. The first copy of the book was presented to Sarasavi Publications Chief H.D. Premasiri.

’Adhisthana Pooja’ for Sajith

Maha Sangha of the three chapters held an ’Adhisthana Pooja’ near the Buddha statue at the Viharamahadevi Park yesterday requesting to offer the presidential candidacy to UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Engrossed in conversation

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the chief guest at the laying of the foundation stone to the new trilingual national school in Meerigama is seen engaged in conversation with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at the ceremony.

Colombo Int’l Book Fair 2019

The Colombo International Book Fair 2019 organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association was launched at the BMICH in Colombo today. The annual exhibition will be held till September 29 from 9 am to 9 pm. The organisers encouraged all visitors to bring a bag of their own, preferably a cloth bag, when come to purchase books. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Commuters stranded

A number of train services delayed this morning owing to a major signal failure that occurred at the Colombo Fort Railway Station causing public unrest. Images show commuters stranded at the various railway stations due to train delays. Pics by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

PM launches Bombuwala Town development project

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday launched the programme to develop Bombuwala Town and the construction of Nagoda- Thenuwana Road. The Prime Minister unveiled the plaque after laying the foundation stone to construct the Sunday School building of Sri Subodhirama Temple in Bombuwala in Kalutara District. Chief Incumbent of the Temple Halwathure Assaji Thera and UNP MP Kalutara District Lakshman Wijemanne were also present. Pix by Prad

Mete out justice

Members of the Armed Forces who were disabled during the war staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station demanding their disability allowance.

Karannagoda and Gunathileke presented highest honorary ranks

Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda (Rtd) and Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake (Rtd) were honoured to the ranks of Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Air Force respectively by President Maithripala Sirisena today at a State Investiture Ceremony held at the harbour premises, Colombo.

Signature collection campaign

A signature collection campaign was conducted by the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) outside the Fort Railway Station today against selling education via amendments to the 1978 University Act and promoting private universities.

At Namal Rajapaksa’s wedding reception

President Maithripala Sirisena, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha(India) Subramanian Swamy with the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the MP Namal Rajapaksa’s wedding reception held at Mount Lavinia Hotel, on Tuesday.

University TU Alliance holds protest march

The University Trade Union’s Alliance held a protest march in Colombo today urging the government to resolve several issues including their salary anomalies. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

SriLankan’s efforts to refresh tourism honoured

SriLankan Airlines was honoured with a global accolade - the ’Best Marketing Innovation Award’ from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for its efforts to refresh the recovery of the island’s tourism industry in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack.

113th birth anniversary of J R Jayewardene

Late President J R Jayewardene’s grandson Amrit Jayewardene garlands the statue of his grandfather to mark the latter’s 113th birth anniversary.

SL Economic Summit 2019

Sri Lanka Economic Summit (SLES) 2019, kicked off at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, today. The two-day event is themed around Recalibrating Sri Lanka’s Economic Trajectory Towards 2025, to guide Sri Lanka’s journey towards development and prosperity. The event was graced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the chief guest and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, as the guest of honour.

Mary Foster Robinson’s portrait unveiled at London Buddhist Vihara

Sri Lanka High Commissioner in the UK Maneesha Gunasekera together with Pat Smith, a long-time British supporter of the London Buddhist Vihara, unveiled the portrait of Mary Foster Robinson, the largest single benefactress of Anagarika Dharmapala, founder of the Maha Bodhi Society at the Vihara hall to commemorate his 155th birth anniversary.

Gothami Junior Prefects take oath

The investiture ceremony of the Junior Prefects for 2019/2012 of the Gothami Balika Vidyalaya - Colombo10, was held today with the participation of Principal Ms Subashini Dematagoda and junior prefect guild head teacher Mrs Kusum Wickramasingha. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisingha

Lotus Tower blooms

The Lotus Tower, the tallest tower in South Asia, was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena today. The telecommunication tower which is 350 meters in height was constructed at a cost of $ 104.3 million with funding from the Government of China. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

PM at PCoI

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating corruption in the current administration this morning to give a statement.

Ready to bloom

The Lotus Tower - South Asia’s tallest tower will be declared opened by President Maithripala Sirisena with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday (16).

PM distributes appointment letters to Samurdhi officers

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe distributed appointment letters to Samurdhi officers at a special ceremony held at Temple Trees yesterday. Minister of Internal Affairs Vajira Abeywardene, Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Daya Gamage, Minister of Agriculture Fisheries Irrigation and Rural economy P Harrison and State Minister Anoma Gamage were also present. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Roads flooded in Colombo

Several roads in Colombo were flooded because of heavy rains experienced today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Birds on the move

A large flock of Asian Openbills were seen flying away at the Mannar area

Seeking blessings on Binara Poya Day

Devotees are seen engaged in religious observances at Gangaramaya Temple today to mark the Binara Poya Day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Summit of the working masses

The summit of the working masses was held at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday (12th) organised by the National Trade Union Center (NTUC).

PM in Mannar

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today declared open the new pavilion of Erukkampody Muslim College in Mannar and a classroom building to mark the school’s 75th anniversary. Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the senior authorities of the school participated in the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘LANKA PAK 2019’ at BMICH

The premier international packaging, processing, printing & plastic exhibition in Sri Lanka, ‘LANKAPAK 2019’ was opened for the public on Wednesday at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Wedding bells for Namal

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s eldest son MP Namal Rajapaksa wedded Limini Weerasinghe today at the Carlton House in Tangalle.

Pulathisi Express flagged off

Pulathisi Express, a new train to Polonnaruwa was flagged off by President Maithripala Sirisena, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu this afternoon from Fort Railway Station in Colombo. The train is supplied to Sri Lanka Railways by M/s RITES Ltd. under Indian Line of Credit.

Hail storm

The residents in Pitamaruwa and Bibila experienced a hail storm for several minutes yesterday.