Cardinal before PCoI...

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is seen arriving at the BMICH to give a statement to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on the Easter Sunday attack. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Facilitating flood affected students

A massive operation was launched by the army to facilitate the GCE O/L candidates in Kilinochchi who were worst-affected by the torrential rains this morning.Pix by Army Media

Hermit crabs in danger

More than half a million hermit crabs have died after being trapped in plastic bottles and other rubbish on two remote islands. The number killed is equivalent to one to two crabs per square metre of beach – a significant percentage of the population, according to researchers. (Daily Mail)

Up-Country train services disrupted

The up-country train services came to a standstill since last night due to an earth slip between Diyatalawa and Bandarawela. Pix by Nishantha Kumara

Colombo roads underwater

Several roads in the Colombo city and suburbs were flooded due to heavy rains in Colombo this afternoon. The road near Colombo Public Library, tennis courts, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha and around Viharamahadevi Park was underwater. Heavy traffic was reported in the area due to flood. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Engraving the importance of Uva

Seen here is a youth painting in one of the underground tunnels at the Central Bus Stand in the Badulla Town and in front of the Uva Province Governor’s office. The paintings show the historical and cultural importance of the Uva Province. The project is done by a Facebook Group at their own cost. Pix by Palitha Ariyawansa

Lifetime Award...

Daily Mirror sports Journalist Mohammed Shamil Amit was recognised last night with a Lifetime Award for Journalism (Print) at the Sri Lanka Cricket Awards 2019 held at Water’s Edge. He has been an integral part of Daily Mirror’s cricket coverage for almost two decades

Inundated...

People from several districts have been affected due to the prevailing inclement weather resulting in floods. Several spill gates have also been opened.

UNP Press…

Several UNP MPs including Harin Fernando, Harsha De Silva and Nalin Bandara are seen at a press conference held at UNP office at Vauxhall Street, Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating 48th National Day of UAE

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) organised a ceremony to celebrate their 48th National Day at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo this evening. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Health and Women Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi participated in the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cardinal calls on Palestinian Ambassador

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith today called on State of Palestine Ambassador Dr. Zuhair Dar Zaid when the Cardinal participated in the occasion of the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Blessings...

Students who are to sit for the ordinary level examinations were seen receiving blessings from their teachers and parents.

Appreciating their past student...

Gothami BalikaVidyalaya is seen celebrating the success of its past student Dr. SamithaSamanmali in the Women’s Para-Rowing event at the 2019 Asian Rowing Championship.

Jumbo rescued...

An elephant fell that had fallen into the Z-C canal of the Maduru Oya was rescued successfully and released to the Aluth Oya Forest Reserve by Veheragala wildlife officials today.

An advice...

Newly appointed State Minister of Information Communications Technology Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene assumed duties at the Ministry. Subject Minister Bandula Gunawardena was also present at the event.

Indian leaders greet President

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today. During the ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Rajapaksa was accorded a 21-gun salute.

Gota arrives in New Delhi

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi this afternoon commencing his two-day official visit in India. The President is scheduled to meet Indian President Shri Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit. Pix courtesy: President’s Media Division

Texas chemical plant blast

Officials have ordered that residents in Port Neches, Groves and Nederland evacuate their homes after a second explosion at the TPC Group petrochemical plant. Residents living in a four-mile radius from the plant have also been ordered to evacuate the area. The blast rocked TPC Group petrochemical plant in Port Neches, Texas, around 1 am. Two workers and one other person were hurt in the explosion, but no fatalities. (Daily Mail)

Justice for Yvonne

A candlelight vigil was held at the Woman’s International Hall in Colombo to remember Swedish-Sri Lankan Yvonne Johnson who was the victim of a murder at the Royal Park residencies. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Yal Devi derailed

The train services on the Nothern Railway Line were temporarily halted due to the derailment of the Colombo-bound Yal Devi express train from Kankesanthurai (KKS) / Jaffna this afternoon.

First-ever transatlantic drug-smuggling sub captured

Spanish authorities have captured what is believed to be the first-ever narco submarine to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

The new Crest Gem unveiled

The new Crest Gem placed atop the historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya was unveiled at the auspicious time of 10.00 a.m yesterday attended by the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayake Thera. 

Cleaning coastal belt…

Workers attached to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) are seen engaged in cleaning the coastal belt along Marine Drive. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Bandula assumes duties

Minister Bandula Gunawardane assumed duties as the Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Technology and Innovations today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Prasanna, Dinesh assume Ministry duties

Parliamentarians Prasanna Ranatunga and Dinesh Gunawardane today assumed duties according to the interim cabinet of the caretaker government. Pix by Damith Wickremesinghe and Nisal Baduge

His master’s voice

General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Dayasiri Jayasekera who backed the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) towards its recent victory was seen giving a very close ear to what SLPP Leader cum newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had to say during the funeral of ex-PM D. M. Jayaratna in Doluwa, Gampola on Saturday.

PM visits Kandy

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Kandy yesterday morning to obtain blessings from Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Rajitha...

Those who criticized each other and locked horns at the presidential election platforms were among the politicians who had come to Parliament yesterday to pay their last respects to former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna whose remains lie-in-state. Here former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne who was a vociferous critic of the Rajapaksas greeting the new President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the event.

New Cabinet…

The New Cabinet of ministers was sworn in before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa this morning at the Presidential Secretariat. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sajith’s supporters go emotional

A supporter of defeated New Democratic Front ( NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa goes emotional as he requests Mr. Premadasa not to quit politics. Thousands of his supporters were at the Vauxhall Street campaign headquarters of Mr. Premadasa to meet him. Pics by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe