Against Counter Terrorism Bill

National Trade Union Center launched a protest march by bicycle around the Colombo city today urging the government to rescind the Counter Terrorism Bill.

Sajith conferred with the title ’Sasana Deepana Abhimani’

Mahanayake of Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Tibbatuvawe Sithdartha Sri Sumangala Thera conferred on Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa the title ‘Sasana Deepana Abhimani’. President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and a host of other ministers also participated in the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Volkswagen Beetle on parade

The Volkswagen Beetle Owners’ Club held their 20th Annual World Volkswagen parade today. The parade was started at the Colombo Hilton Hotel and ended at Wadduwa.

Yowun Puraya

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the ’Yowun Puraya’ youth camp at Weerawila, Hambantota. The Prime Minister visited all the camps set up representing the districts of the country and met with the youths who warmly welcomed the Premier. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

PM visits Hambanthota port

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited LPG gas terminal belongs to Laugfs Gas company in Hambantota yesterday and had discussions with the officials of the company. Minister of Ports Sagala Ratnayake was also present.

VYAWASAYA – 2019

VYAWASAYA – 2019 was launched at the BMICH yesterday under the patronage Ports & Shipping and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka. The exhibition comprises of food items, textiles, furniture and home accessories etc.

Karu at Siri Vajirarama Dhamma School

An exhibition was held at the Siri Vajirarama Dhamma School, Bambalapitiya today in line with its 100th anniversary under the patronage of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

Australia, SL exchange skills on HADR program

Sri Lankan and Australian disaster management experts exchanged experiences on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) this week. The four-day program, attended by civilian and military representatives from both countries, included representatives from Sri Lankan NGOs and UN organisations who partner with the Sri Lankan and Australian Governments on HADR in Sri Lanka. (The Australian High Commission)

New Pali and Buddhist Studies Postgraduate Institute to Kelaniya Uni.

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday laid the foundation stone for new premises of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the Kelaniya University. Director of the Institute Venerable Professor Kotapitiye Rahula Thera, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Higher Education Minister Rauff Hakeem, all graced this event held at Manelgama, Kelaniya.

Murali goes on ’killing’ spree

In a picture posted on Twitter by Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) player Shreevats Goswami, Muralitharan can be seen taking down an unusual victim. The 46-year-old literally attacked a ’dosa’ during a breakfast with his Indian Premier League franchise. ’’Breakfast view cannot get better this morning murali sir killing the dosa and how,’’ Goswami captioned the photo.

Kodagoda, Appeal Court President

President’s Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda was sworn in as the President of the Court of Appeal before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

‘Aya Nodutu Aya’

Latiff receives 5th-degree black belt Taekwondo from Korea

STF Commandant Senior DIG M.R Latiff receives the 5th-degree black belt in Taekwondo, an honorary title from the Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters in South Korea.

Fmr. CB Deputy Governor, PTL Chairman, 3 directors behind bars

Former Central Bank Deputy Governor P. Samarasiri (right), Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Chairman Geoffrey Aloysius (third from left) and three directors of PTL, who were remanded till April 5 by Colombo Chief Magistrate being escorted to the prison yesterday. Pix by Romesh Danushka Silva

Celebrating 79th National Day of Pakistan

Handle with care

’’We may have to handle this big investment with care,’’ is what UNP Deputy Leader cum Minister Sajith Premadasa is reminding of his leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in the presence of Omani Minister for Oil and Gas Muhammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy at yesterday’s launch of the mega project of oil refinery plant worth close to USD 4 billion, being the largest FDI in Sri Lanka presently.

PM turns 70

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe celebrated his 70th birthday yesterday at the Temple Trees, where a programme has been organised to grant accessories to children with special needs. Pix by Jayamal Chandrasiri

Proposal to declare ‘Theravada Tripitaka’ as a World Heritage handed over

President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday handed over the proposal to declare the Theravada Tripitaka, the sacred scripture of Buddhists, as a World Heritage as a Memory of the World officially to the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Ms. Hanaa Singer, at the Maha Maluwa of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy.

PM at NISD Convocation

National Institute of Social Development (NISD) Convocation and Diploma award ceremony was held at BMICH under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe today. Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Daya Gamage and several others participated in the event.

Housing & Construction Expo 2019

Housing & Construction Expo 2019 was launched yesterday at the BMICH under the patronage of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa, Megapolis & Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama.

67th death anniversary of Father of Nation

A ceremony was held at the Independence Square to commemorate the 67th death anniversary of Late Prime Minister D.S Senanayake, the Father of the Nation under the aegis of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today.

Artificial rains around Maussakele successful

The artificial rain triggered by the Air Force today by using the Y12 aircraft around the Maussakele reservoir, has become successful. Air Force triggered rain around 11.00 am today morning and there was showers for forty five minutes between 1.00 pm- 1.45.pm today afternoon. This was done because of the prevailing dry weather conditions.

Striking images

Striking new images offer a glimpse of what is to be expected from Sir David Attenborough’s stunning new wildlife documentary series on Netflix. The series, filmed in 50 countries on all continents across four years using the latest in 4K camera technology, will premiere on the streaming service on April 5 in more than 190 countries.

Italy school bus set ablaze with 51 children

A Senegalese man abducted 51 children when he hijacked an Italian school bus and set the vehicle alight in a protest over migrant deaths in the Mediterranean.

Medin Full Moon Poya

Today is Medin Full Moon Poya day. The pictures show devotees who have thronged to the Kelaniya temple to perform religious activities.

Washed away

Police fired teargas and used water cannons to disperse university students who carried out a protest outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) today.

PM unveils ‘Ran Weta’

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today unveiled the golden fence at the Sri Devathissa Rajamaha Viharaya in Kekirawa after he laid the foundation stone for the new building. Viharadhikari, Ven. Senadiriyagama Wimalajothi Thera, Parliamentarians Chandrani Bandara and Chandima Gamage were present at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Pindapatha programme under Thripitakabhivandana week

Pindapatha programmes were held in various parts of the country on Saturday in view of the Thripitakabhivandana week which is a part of a campaign to declare the Theravada Thripitakaya a world heritage.

PM in Mawanella

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that the government will bring in a complete road development project to all parts of the country at the opening of the Hemmathagama- Gampola Road in Mawanella.

Katchatheevu Island’s feast

The St. Anthony’s Church Feast of Kachchathivu island was held yesterday with the participation of a large number of Catholics from Sri Lanka and South India. This year’s feast marked the third of its kind conducted upon the completion of the new church by the Sri Lanka Navy.