Youth heroes recognised...

Defence State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon graced the first National Cadet Corps National Youth Heroes Award ceremony as the chief guest at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Headquarters in Pamankada, Colombo recently.

Samurdhi officers in protest...

Samurdhi officers staged a protest outside the Sethsiripaya in Battaramulla today over several demands. Pix Nisal Baduge

UNESCO Director-General in SL

Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), participated in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO membership at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre today Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sacred relics deposited at Nilagiri Maha Seya

The sacred relics and treasures were ceremoniously deposited at the historic Neelagiri Maha Seya under the auspices of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd.), yesterday.

Trump returns to politics with large bandage

Donald Trump was greeted with chants of ’fight, fight, fight,’ as he strode into the Republican convention on Saturday barely two days after surviving an assassination attempt.

Centenary anniversary of Vajiraramaya library

The upgraded and refurbished library of the Vajiraramaya Temple, Bambalapitiya was declared open to the public on Sunday, to coincide with its centenary celebrations. The event was held under the aegis of Chief Incumbent Venerable Thrikunamalaye Ananda Mahanayake Thera. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Ranil in Kandy

State Minister Dilum Amunugama, MPs Lohan Ratwatte and Mahindananda Aluthgamage confer with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a rally in Kandy yesterday where the famous saying that there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kadawara Kankariya

An extremely rare and dying ritual in Sri Lanka, the ’Kadawara Kankariya’ was performed recently coinciding with the ongoing Esala festival in Kataragama. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pada Yatra pilgrims at Kataragama

Pada Yatra pilgrims from the North and East, who made a long trek through the hard terrain of Kumana and Yala Wildlife Sanctuaries to attend the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya Esala festival are seen at the Devalaya premises. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Trump injured in shooting at Pennsylvania rally

Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear after a gunman opened fire towards the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday -- a harrowing incident that left one spectator dead, two others critically injured and sparked chaos at the event. (ABC News)

New party office opened

Senior Adviser to the President on Climate Change and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena participated in the opening ceremony of the new party office of N.H Priyantha, the UNP Uruwala Zonal Coordinator at Waliweriya, Gampaha on July 13. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Top Thai brands in Colombo

’Top Thai Brands Colombo 2024’ - a trade show will be held at Havelock City Mall, presented by the Chennai Thai Trade Center. Thai products will be available at special discounts and cultural elements including live cooking, Muay Thai fighting performances will continue till Sunday (14) night. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Kataragama Perahara 06th day....

The annual Perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya was held for the 6th day last night with a large crowd witnessing the procession. Pix by Nisal Baduge

No escape from rain...

Due to the turbulent nature of the lower atmosphere around the island, the city of Colombo was covered in darkness this morning with continuous rain. Vehicles and people were seen moving in Colombo city even in the rain for essential services. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

'Wedding Show 2024'

’The Wedding Show’ which is the most prestigious bridal exhibition in Sri Lanka was launched today at the BMICH, Colombo.

Container backlog despite strike end...

Despite the end of the strike by Customs officials, queues of containers were seen in Colombo due to the absence of clearance. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Narcotics worth Rs 7B destroyed

The Sri Lankan Police, Special Task Force (STF), and Navy collaborated to seize a cache of cocaine valued at nearly Rs. 7.829 billion, which was subsequently destroyed using an incinerator in Wanathawilluwa, Puttalam District on July 11, 2024. The disposal took place in the presence of Colombo Magistrate Tilina Gamage, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, and IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Athupandalama ritual at Kataragama Temple

The ritual known as ‘Athupandalama’ took place at the Kataragama Temple in view of the Esala Perehara. The ceremony marks the thatching of the hut in front of the main Temple and its branches are called Athupandalama. The ritual takes place every year. Pix by Nisal Baduge

New Zealand MPs visit Gangaramaya

More than 60% of MPs are my friends: Club Wasantha

Suresh Wasantha Perera, alias ’Club Wasantha’, who was shot dead this week had revealed in an interview with Danu Innasithamby on the Lankadeepa YouTube channel on November 18, 2022 that more than 60 percent of those in Parliament are his friends. Here are some of the photos of ’Club Wasantha’ with politicians, being shared on social media.

Fire breaks out at National Library

A fire broke out earlier today at the assembly hall of the National Library in Colombo, affecting the Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka.

Qatar Airways marks new milestone

Qatar Airways marked a new milestone by introducing its sixth daily flight from Doha to Colombo today.

Bohra community gathers in Colombo

Members of the Dawoodi Bohra community, visiting Sri Lanka, stroll through the streets of Colombo on July 9, 2024. Around fifteen thousand members from countries including India have gathered for the convention co-hosted by Sri Lanka.

Memorable welcome

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed his ’memorable welcome’ in Moscow.

Give sufficient wage for living

The State and Provincial State Service Trade Union Collective protested in front of the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry today, demanding their Rs. 25,000 allowance and a sufficient wage for living. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi.

Gen. Silva attends Rwanda’s ’Liberation Day 30’

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva, currently on an official visit to Rwanda, attended the ’KWIBOHORA 30’ (’Liberation Day 30’) National ceremony at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. During the event, he also had a cordial discussion with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The ceremony commemorated the 30th anniversary of Rwanda’s liberation, making it a notable occasion for both Rwanda and the international military delegations in attend

Ananda Walk 2024

Thousands of Anandians both present and past pupils including prominent bureaucrats, public figures and military leaders took to streets today to take part in the Ananda Walk 2024 under one banner of ‘Educate and Empower to Serve Mother Lanka’.

It’s time to decide...

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, MP Namal Rajapaksa, and Dhamika Perera attended a rally organized by SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena in Kalutara yesterday. President Wickremesinghe said that he joined the Rajapaksas and SLPP to save the nation. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kandy Book Fair at KCC

The Kandy Book Fair is currently happening at the Kandy City Centre (KCC). It is organized by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association and will run till tomorrow, July 7.

Starmer takes PM helm...

Britain’s head of state King Charles III officially appointed Labour leader Keir Starmer as prime minister on Friday during an audience at Buckingham Palace. A photograph released by the palace showed the monarch shaking hands with Starmer, whose party won a landslide election victory. The king earlier accepted the resignation of Conservative leader Rishi Sunak.