330 New Lawyers welcomed to the Bar

More than 300 new lawyers will be giving their oath before the supreme court from today to August 28, 2020.

Waterfalls running dry

The waterfalls in the Badulla District are fast running dry as a result of the prevailing drought. Rawanaella falls is among the worst affected. Thousands of families which depended on the income from local tourists visiting these once picturesque waterfalls have lost even their megre livelihood.

Spectacular images of Earth from space

Our fascination with space and the worlds beyond our own comes from a deep-seated human desire to better understand our place in the universe. (msn.com)

In a bid to uplift local industry...

In a bid to uplift the local industry, a footwear and leather products exhibition was launched today at the Diyatha Uyana under the patronage of Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa.

Tree-mendous!

A sycamore laced with shoes, an oak bound in chains and a yew said to be more than 1,000 years old are among the contenders vying to be named England’s Tree of the Year 2020. (Daily Mail)

Aussie PM cooks up Sri Lankan curry

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared a series of snaps of a Sri Lankan lamb baduma with godamba rotis he cooked up at The Lodge in Canberra.

Unemployed graduates submit epistle

A group of unemployed graduates today handed over an epistle to the Presidential Secretariat underlining their grievances.

Saving a Life

Sri Lanka Life Saving and Kinross Swimming Life Saving Club along with the two organisations by the name ’My Friend’ and ‘Rainbow Swimming’ launched a a life saving programme at Wellawatta on Sunday. Fouzul Hameed, the founder of Hameedia, and former Olympic swimmer Julian Bolling also took part in the programme. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinha

‘Life Worth, Save a Life’

A beach cleaning programme organised by three organisations namely, ’’My Friend’’, ’’Rainbow Swimming’’ and the ’’Life Saving Society’’, under the theme of ’ Life Worth Save a Life’ was held today at the Wellawatta. A life- saving programme was also held in line with the beach programme. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Minister visits SPMC factory

State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation, Professor Channa Jayasumana, inspected the factory of State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) at Ratmalana recently. SPMC Chairman Dr. Uthpala Indrawansa invited the State Minister for the inspection tour. Pix by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka

The Wedding Show 2020

The Wedding Show 2020, the biggest wedding exhibition in Sri Lanka, was launched yesterday at the BMICH.

Preserved carcass of black leopard

The carcass of the black leopard that died after being trapped in a snare at Laxapana Walamalai estate was preserved and is currently displayed at the Colombo National Museum for the public.

Navy Commander calls on Cardinal

Making his maiden visit to the Archbishop’s House upon assumption of office as Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne called on Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and received his blessings today.

Rajitha, Malik, Mangala, Sumanthiran at PCoI

Former Ministers Malik Samarawickrama, Mangala Samaraweera and Rajitha Senaratne and TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran were seen at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing incidents of Political Victimization this morning.

Victory!

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was captured making the ‘V’ sign indicating victory, at the inaugural session of the 9th Parliament on Thursday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

During the inauguration

Ministers Bandula Gunawardana, Gamini Lokuge, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Chamal Rajapaksa were captured during the inaugural session of the ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

President welcomed to 9th Parliament

New Speaker of Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, welcomed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and First Lady Ioma Rajapaksa to the inaugural session of the 9th Parliament today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

MP Vithanage takes boat to parliament

Former Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Mayor Madhura Vithanage who was elected as an MP arrived in a boat to participate in the inaugural session of the 9th Parliament today. Pix by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka

Dayasiri in batik

Batik, Handloom and Domestic Apparel Production State Minister DayasiriJayasekara was seen wearing a batik shirt in Parliament this morning.

State Festival of photography-2020

The State Festival of photography - Sri Lanka 2020 was held at the Foundation Institute yesterday in view of the World Photography Day. Lifetime felicitation award, bronze, Silver and Gold awards were given away during the ceremony for the photographs taken subjected to the COVID-19. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Policy rates to remain unchanged

The Central Bank Governor Professor W.D. Lakshman today announced the decision to hold Central Bank Policy rates unchanged in continuing its accommodative monetary policy stance. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

State Minister vows to lower essential drug prices

Pharmaceuticals Production, Supply and Regulation State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said he would put an end to the pharmaceutical mafia operated during the yahapalana regime in the guise of drug price reduction and he would bring down drug prices by increasing the local pharmaceutical production by 50%.

Contraband fags destroyed

A stock of illegally imported foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 35 million found hidden in a 40-foot container was destroyed at the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) destruction yard under the supervision of Customs officials today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

CAA raids shops selling harmful beauty products

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today conducted a raid on several shops in Fort in search of beauty products harmful to humans.

Tharaka Balasuriya assumes duties

State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya assumed duties at the Ministry in Colombo today

New Sports Minister

Newly appointed Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa assumed duties at the ministry today. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa and family members of Mr. Rajapaksa and several ministers attended the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Graduates demand jobs as promised by govt.

More than 3,000 Graduates staged a protest march from the Colombo Fort Railway Station towards the Presidential Secretariat demanding the government to award them with employment opportunities in the state sector as promised by the government during the election campaign. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Ranaweera assumes duties

Cane, Brass,Clay,Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera assumed duties at the ministry premises.

Priyankara Jayaratne assumes duties

Newly appointed Foreign Employment Promotion and Market Diversification State Minister MP Piyankara Jayarathne assumed duties today (17) at the ministry premises.

Make way please!

The new Minister of Justice Mohamed Ali Sabry assumed duties at the Justice Ministry at the Supreme Court complex today. The minister assumed duties among well-wishers and guests, with his office packed to the extent that the Minister’s wife had to drag him by the sleeve towards his desk so that he could assume duties. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja