Rathana Thera on hunger strike

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera launched a hunger strike in front of Sri Dalada Maligawa this morning calling for the removal of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Azath Salley from their posts. Pix by Chamil, Rupasinghe

Samurdhi for people in Ampara

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in the first phase of a programme held to award Samurdhi grants to people in Ampara today. At the event, he said that new laws were needed to prevent the emergence of terror groups in the future. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

New Air Force commander assumes duties

The sixteenth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Kapila Jayampathy ceremonially handed over command of the Sri Lanka Air Force to Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, this morning at Air Force Head Quarters. Pix by Samantha Perera

Walk of Warriors

Sri Lanka Army’s Air Mobile Brigade of the 53 Division which boasts a life span of 25 years of excellence undertaking its milestone anniversary spectacle, the 310 km - long ‘Walk of Warriors’ (Ranakaminge Pagamana) after a brief inaugural ceremony commenced its expedition this morning (29) from Medawachchiya town to reach Colombo in 11 days. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Roads in Galle under water

Most of the roads in Galle are seen under water due to heavy rains lashed out in Galle today. Several places on Galle-Baddegama and Galle-Wakwella roads were seen inundated. Pix by Ravi Liyanage

Air Force Commander Jayampathy bids adieu

Outgoing Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Kapila Jayampathy retired today. He was given a guard of honour at the Air Force Headquarters. The outgoing Air Force Commander officially handed over the duties to the incoming Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal D.L. Sumangala Dias at the function.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Protest by Ayurvedic doctors

All Island Ayurveda Health Services Association staged a protest outside the Health Ministry today against the transfer of 650 doctors who received appointment letters on January 13, 2018.

Protest against move to transfer Kurunegala Hospital Director

A group of people including several Buddhist monks staged a protest against Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s move to transfer Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Director Dr Sarath Weera Bandara, who handles the probe against Dr Siyabdeen Mohamed Safi, who is alleged to have performed coerced sterilization surgeries on many women.

Gnanasara Thera addresses media

A news briefing organised by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation was held at its headquarters in Rajagiriya today. BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera addressed the media at the briefing which was his first news briefing after being released from the Welikada Prison. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Remembering Lions

These stunning photographs showcase the work of the ten winners of a competition for places in an upcoming charity book called Remembering Lions.

Iftar gathering at CMC

The Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society organised an iftar gathering which was held on the lawns of the Colombo Town Hall. Iftar or the traditional breaking of fast during the month of Ramadhan is usually a meal that brings together families and neighbourhood.

CMC hands over cheques to registered mosques

Launch of Palmyrah Development Fund

The ’Palmyrah Fund’ which is to provide funding for the development of the North and the East, was launched at Temple Trees this morning under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, TNA MP R Sampanthan and Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera. State Minister Vijekala Maheshwaran and TNA MPs Dharmalingam Siddharthan and Selvam Adaikalanathan were also present at the event.

Novice monk examines the alms bowl

A novice monk examines the alms bowl or Pathra donated to him at a religious ceremony at Gangarama Temple in Colombo while another looks on. Around 150 alms bowls which are resistant to corrosion were distributed among the novice monks. These alms blows had been brought from Thailand.

“Warak wati dewarak nagi siti sinhayan api”

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the auspices of Sports Minister Harin Fernando, launched “Warak wati dewarak nagi siti sinhayan api”, a song to rally the country behind the team with the essence of “One Team One Nation” as they prepare to participate in the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and Wales.

Cardinal Filoni calls on PM

The representative of the Pope, Fernando Cardinal Filoni called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Tree yesterday. Cardinal Filoni arrived in Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday attacks on churches last month. Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith accompanied Cardinal Filoni.

Ven. Gnanasara meets Chief Prelate of Kotte

Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera visited the Chief Prelate of Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of Siyam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Dr Ittapana Dhammalankara Thera this evening after he was released under presidential pardon from the Welikada Prison. In the picture he is seen thanking the Kotte Chief Prelate for the measures taken to release him. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Disappointed…

A large number of people were seen gathered outside the main gate of the Welikada Prison to have a glimpse of the released Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera. However, the authorities had decided to reroute the prelate from the prison due to the prevailing security reasons in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Unemployed graduates protest at Fort

The Association of Unemployed Graduates Collective today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station urging authorities to expedite the recruitment of development officers. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

War Heroes Commemorated

Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka was the chief guest at an event held at the Panagoda Army camp on Tuesday, May 21 to commemorate war heroes.

NSC wants Rishad, Hizbullah, Salley resigned

The National Sangha Council (NSC), staged a protest march today from Independent Square to the Presidential Secretariat demanding the removal of Industries and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen, Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, and Western Province Governor, Azath Salley from their posts. A petition had been handed over to the President in this regard. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cardinal Filoni at St. Anthony's Church

His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation of Evangelisation of People, today laid the foundation stone to a proposed building at the St Anthony’s Shrine, one of the main terrorist targets of the Easter Sunday attacks. The building is to house a soup kitchen, where more than 200 needy people are provided free food, as well as a museum and dining area of the church.

Teaching diploma award ceremony

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was the chief guest at the teaching diploma award ceremony of the National Education Institute at Temple Trees today. The PM has said the government would abolish the religious and ethnic-based school systems in the country. Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, State Minister of Education Vijayakala Maheswaran and NIE Director-General J. Gunasekara was also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Released…

Former DIG Nalaka de Silva was seen removing his cervical collar after being released on bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Buddhist Information Centre vested with the Sasana

A Buddhist Information Centre built in Kimbulawala, Kotte for the Tri-Nikaya was handed over to Sasana by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today at an event presided over by Most Venerable Ittepana Dhammalankara Nayake Thera. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak in Colombo

People are celebrating Vesak festival following the Easter Sunday terror with additional security arrangements. Seen here the streets in Colombo including Gangaramaya were decorated for Vesak. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bodhi Pooja at Temple Trees

A Bodhi Pooja was held at Temple Trees on Sunday to invoke blessings on the security forces to mark the 10th anniversary of the end of war and also to commemorate those who died in bomb attacks on Easter Sunday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe and invitees are seen participating in religious observances held to invoke blessings. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Ranaviru Uththama Pranama

The 10th state memorial service of war heroes under the theme ‘Uttama Pranama Pranama’ was held today in front of the National War Memorial near the Parliament complex, Sri Jayawardenepura, remembering deceased, disappeared and disabled war heroes to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Vesak Poya Day

Devotees are seen taking part in religious observances at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in light of the Vesak Poya Day which falls today.

Vesak preparations at Gangaramaya

Buddhists the world over celebrate Vesak Poya today. It marks the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Buddha. The Beira Lake is seen being decorated for the Vesak Poya by navy personnel.