Enjoying ferry ride

Luxury passenger ferry service from Colombo Fort to Union Place through the Beira Lake was launched today under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Rain delays second test match

Ground staff walk on the rain covers over the pitch as play is delayed due to rain during day one of the Second Test matches between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at P Sara Oval Stadium today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Healthcare services crippled

Healthcare services in hospitals countrywide came to a standstill today because of the 24-hour strike launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) this morning over several issues, mainly over the failure to legalise the minimum standards of medical education. Patients are seen inconvenienced due to the ongoing trade union action.

Who is the big winner?

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is pictured posing a victory sign at his fellow minister and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa who is presently in the presidential election fray when the latter was taking a random snap outside Dutch Hospital in Colombo where the ’Mega Pride’ photo exhibition was held. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Practice session

New Zealand’s cricket team members were seen engaged in a practice session at P. Sara Oval cricket stadium in Colombo today, ahead of their second cricket Test match against Sri Lanka to be played today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Two books penned by Attaudahetti launched

Two books titled “Wandering with pleasure along the beautiful sea” and “Wandering with pleasure along the Red Fort’ penned by Saman Attaudahetti were launched at the BMICH in Colombo today. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was the chief guest of the event. Mr. Attaudahetti is seen presenting a copy of the book to Premier Wickremesinghe. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Assumes duties

Newly appointed Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva assumed duties at the Army Headquarters this morning amidst military honours.

We want Sajith...

A rally was held at the Weligama town urging UNP leaders to field Minister Sajith Premadasa as their presidential candidate. Pix by Sunil D. Silva

Monkeying around for the camera

Hilarious close-up portraits of some of the world’s most unusual primates show their uncanny resemblance to humans.

Hearty laugh…

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is sharing a lighter moment with State Minister Buddhika Pathirana at the opening of the newly constructed Sri Lanka-Korea National Vocational Training Institute at Orugodawattha today.

Change of Baton

Mini Cooper car parade

A Mini Cooper car parade was held in line with the annual British Food Festival organised by the Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo on Saturday. Antique Mini Cooper cars were driven across the Colombo city to celebrate the event. Pix Damith Wickremasinghe

In an attempt to save the planet, Millennials are going child-free

Millennials (born between 1981-1996) and Post-Millennials (born 1997-present) are causing a stir by announcing they would not have children (or limit the amount of children they have), due to the uncertain future surrounding climate change.

Yasushi Akashi calls on MR

Senior Japanese diplomat and United Nations administrator Yasushi Akashi called on Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo today. Former External Affairs Minister and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Chairman Professor G.L.Peiris, MP Keheliya Rambukwella and Opposition Leader’s Secretary Harsha Wijewardane were also present at the occasion.

Mega Pride unveiled

‘Mega Pride’ an exhibition featuring the images of lions captured by Minister of Mega Polis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka during his African tours was unveiled last morning with the envoys from China and South Africa gracing the occasion. Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan is seen autographing a photograph at the inauguration of the three-day exhibition held at the Dutch Hospital, Fort. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Helpless...

A group of wives of the war-disabled soldiers staged a protest on the Lotus Road over several demands including salary issues of their husbands.

World VW Day

Volkswagen Beetle parade organised by the Volkswagen Beetle Owners’ Club Sri Lanka was held at the Excel World Entertainment Park yesterday under the aegis of German Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Joern Rohde.

Presidential candidate...

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is seen greeting supporters after being announced as the presidential candidate of the National Peoples Power headed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in first Test

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne scored 122 as Sri Lanka chased down 268 for the loss of just four wickets to win the first Test against New Zealand at Galle on Sunday and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Mahindra opens first automotive assembly plant in SL

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu, inaugurated Sri Lanka’s first vehicle assembly plant built by Mahindra Ideal Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd in Mathugama. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Chasing 135 runs for victory

Sri Lanka’s openers Dimuth Karunaratne (71*) and Lahiru Thirimanne (57*) remained unbeaten, with a partnership of 133, at stumps on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday. Sri Lanka require a further 135 runs for victory. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Kedella 2019 at BMICH

The most exclusive home-related exhibition of the year, the 2019 Kedella Exhibition was launched yesterday at the BMICH. The exhibition which mainly focuses on house designing & construction, interior designing and housing loans etc, will be held until Sunday (18). The exhibition consists of approximately 200 stalls to attract more visitors from every occupation.

Solemnity

President Maithripala Sirisena was seen with a lot of solemnity at a ceremony held at the Regimental Headquarters, Naula to present ‘Rana Parashuwa’ and the ‘Regimental Rana Purashuwa’ to the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces marking the presentation of the President’s and Regimental Colours.

Just missed it

The Sri Lankan spin duo of Lasith Embuldeniya and Dhananjaya de Silva combined to take five wickets as New Zealand slid to 124 for 6, ahead by 106, at the Tea break on Day 3.

Amarapura and Ramanya chapters combined

An agreement was signed today combining the Amarapura and Ramanya Buddhist chapters and it will be known as the ‘Sri Lanka Amarapura-Ramanya Samagree Maha Sangha Sabawa’.

President presented with Esala Perahera Sannasa

In keeping with traditional customs, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa, Nilanga Dela Bandara, along with the Basnayake Nilames of the Sathara Maha Devales, presented the traditional communication of the successful conclusion of the Kandy Esala Perahera (Sannasa) to the Head of State, President Maithripala Sirisena at President’s House in Kandy today. Pix courtesy President’s Media Division.

Topsy-turvy Day 2

The Galle Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand has been a keenly-contested one with both teams wresting back the advantage time and again. At 143 for 2, just before the Tea break, Sri Lanka were clearly in the ascendancy. However, Ajaz Patel ran through the hosts’ batting order to pick up a five-for to engineer a collapse. Just that Suranga Lakmal and Niroshan Dickwella shared a timely undefeated stand of 66 to help the home side claw back int

PM calls on Jaffna Adinam

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is in Jaffna, called on the members of the Hindu Clergy including the Adinam of Jaffna at the Adinam Kovil today. Pix courtesy: Prime Minister’s Media Division

India’s 73rd Independence Day

The Indian High Commission and the Indian community based in Sri Lanka today celebrated India’s 73rd Independence Day. High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu hoisted the National Flag of India at the India House, Colombo commencing the celebrations. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Final Randoli Perahera

The final Randoli Perahera of the historic Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa paraded the streets last night. The picture shows the Tusker Wasana, of the Kataragama Devalaya carrying the sacred relics casket. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and L.B. Senarathne.