Kothmale spills

Two spill gates of the Upper Kothmale were opened yesterday due to heavy rains. Pix by Gamini Bandara Illangatileke

PM at Shilpa Sena Exhibition

‘Shilpa Sena’, organized by the Ministry of Science Technology and Research to promote science and technology, was launched under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at BMICH today. Minister of Science Technology and Research Sujeewa Senasinghe was also present at the opening. The exhibition will be held until July 21.

Heavy Traffic in Maradana

Heavy traffic was reported near the Technical Junction in Maradana due to a protest launched by the members of the Peratugami Kamkaru Aragalaya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

J’pura university students in protest

Jayawardenapura University students carried a protest demanding their issues to be resolved as soon as possible. They started the protest from Visual and Performing Arts Faculty, and made their way on foot to the University Grants Commission.

Lunar eclipse

Sri Lankans were able to witness a rare lunar eclipse during the early hours of today. It was the last lunar eclipse this year, and the people of Sri Lanka will experience the next lunar eclipse of this nature on May 26, 2021. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Dry weather hits hard

Water level in the Moragahakanda reservoir has gone down considerably due to the prevailing dry weather which has adversely affected the livelihood of the people living in the area.

Relaxing...

Elephants are seen here preparing for the annual Esala Perahera of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Two wheels motor racing at Mirigama

A two wheels motor racing event organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders in collaboration with the Two Wheels Motors Racing Club and Negombo Racing Association was held at the Mirigama racing track last Sunday. The motorcycle team of the Special Task Force (STF) also participated in the racing event for the first time. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Esala Poya day

Devotees are seen engaging in religious activities this morning at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to mark the Esala Poya day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Seeking blessings on Esala Poya day

Today is Esala full moon Poya day, which is celebrated by Buddhists island wide. Esala Poya is significant to Buddhists as the day Buddha preached his first dhamma sermon, the ’Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta’. The picture shows devotees at the Kiri Vehera at Kataragama taking part in religious observances. Pix by Nisal Baduge

PM in Jaffna

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today participated in the prize giving and the 125th anniversary celebrations of Skandavarodaya College in Chunnakam. State Minister of Education Vijeyakala Maheswaran, TNA MPs Tharamalingam Sidtharththan, E. Saravanapavan and Mawai Senathirajah were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kataragama Perahera parades streets

The 12th day of the Esala Perahera of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya was held last night. The roads were filled with thousands of devotees who arrived in Kataragama to witness the Perahera.

England crowned world champions

Eoin Morgan-led England lifted their maiden ICC World Cup trophy after a super over win against New Zealand at Lord’s, London.

PM inaugurates new pavilion

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declares open the new pavilion of the Kinniya Central College in Trincomalee Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

National People’s Power launched

National People’s Power was launched at the BMICH yesterday with the participation of political party leaders, Trade Unions, Artistes, Professionals and Intellectuals.

Fire walking at Kataragama

The main fire walking ceremony of the Kataragama Esala festival took place this morning in front of the Maha Devalaya and more than 600 devotees took part in the fire walking. Pix by Nisal Baduge

PM visits Kataragama

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Kataragama sacred city on Saturday and paid homage to the Kirivehera Raja Maha Viharaya and was blessed by incumbent Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thera. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Wedding Show 2019 at BMICH

The Wedding Show-2019 bridal exhibition organised by the Asia Exhibitions & Conventions was launched at the BMICH yesterday. The visitors including future brides and grooms can obtain services from over 250 professionals in the wedding industry at the exhibition which will be held till Sunday 14th.

Yoshitha engaged to Nithiesha

Yoshitha, the second son of Opposition Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa got engaged to Nithiesha Jayasekera today.

Radiation leak from a Soviet nuclear submarine

Scientists have discovered a large radiation leak coming from the wreck of a Russian nuclear submarine which sank in the 1980s.

Tourists enjoy a walk

Some tourists were seen enjoying a walk around the Independence Square in Colombo during their stay in the city. The tourist arrival was dropped in the aftermath of the serial bombings on April 21.

Checking roadworthiness

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) and the police jointly launched a special awareness programme last evening to identify unroadworthy vehicles in the Western Province and to issue prohibition or repair orders. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Dayasiri appears before PSC

UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekara testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee looking into the Easter Sunday attacks yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

No matter what

A policeman is seen holding an umbrella to a DIG during the protest carried out by IUSF university students today over several demands. Police also used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesting IUSF students at the Kollupitiya Junction.

No to Death Penalty

The Collective against the Death Penalty today expressed its deep and urgent concerns about the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena that he had signed papers for the execution of four drug offenders.

Green Clubs launched

The launch ceremony of the ‘Green Clubs’ was held today at Hilton Colombo. The Green Clubs concept was part of the Budget 2019 presented by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, which proposes to grow 2.5 million plants across the country.

‘Veedhi Pirena Paada Satahana’

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today launched a protest at Nugegoda after launching a massive street demonstration from Kalutara on Sunday. The rally was named as ‘Veedhi Pirena Paada Satahana’ to defeat the government which broke the trust. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

PM at Ampara

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a ceremony to distribute land deeds to landless in Ampara yesterday. Ministers Gayantha Karunatilleke, Daya gamage and Deputy Minister Anoma Gamage were also present at the event.

Deer roaming at Gal Oya

Sri Lankan deer were seen roaming at Gal Oya Wildlife Park in the Moneragala District in recent times. These types of deer are commonly seen in Sri Lankan forest. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Not often seen

Dutch Ambassador Joanne Doornewaard is seen cycling back to the Embassy after a joint news conference with Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake today where they announced the CarfreeCMB programme to be held on July 14, 2019.