Namel Weeramuini’s autobiography

Namel Weeramuini’s compelling autobiography as ‘Sailed I on Life – Like a Lark in the Sky’ was launched on his 85th birthday, at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre yesterday.

‘Village & neighbourhood to Colombo’

A summit of local government councillors of the JVP named ‘Village & neighbourhood to Colombo’ was held at New Town Hall in Colombo.

Gota attends PHU special convention

The special convention organised by the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) led by MP Udaya Gammanpila was held on Sunday in Battaramulla. SLPP nominee of presidential candidacy Gotabaya Rajapaksa and SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the special convention. Pix by Nisal Baduge

PM declares open medical faculty

The medical faculty of Wayamba University was declared open by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Kuliyapitiya yesterday where the government announced the move to open branches of leading local state universities in the Maldives. Ministers Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Rauff Hakeem and Rajitha Senaratne participated in the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

PM conferred with Nelson Mandela Peace Prize

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was conferred with the Nelson Mandela Peace Prize and the award of the National Alliance of Churches at the Prathiba Pranama awards ceremony organised by the National Christian Council yesterday.

Sinhale protest...

Members of the National Movement of Sinhale staged a protest outside the ministry of Buddhasasana against the attack on a Buddhist monk of the Muhudu Maha Viharaya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Facets Sri Lanka at BMICH

Facets Sri Lanka, the International Gem and Jewellery Show was launched at the BMICH by Industry and Commerce State Minister Buddhika Pathirana yesterday, while Mr. Lewis Allen attending as a guest of honour. The exhibition would be held until Sunday (September 1). The show will have hundreds of local and foreign exhibitors showcasing their gem and jewellery products and a large number of influential trade visitors from around the world.

Promoting inter-religious harmony

New Zealand in form

New Zealanders 168 for 6 (Taylor 53*, Munro 48, Hasaranga 2-35) beat Sri Lanka Board President’s XI 135 for 9 (Kuggeleijn 4-14, Sodhi 3-43) by 33 runs today.

Batik Lanka Exhibition

Batik Lanka Exhibition showcasing Sri Lankan and foreign batik apparels and other products was opened by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today. The exhibition organised by the Ministry of Primary Industries is held at the BMICH today and tomorrow. Minister Daya Gamage, State Ministers Anoma Gamage and Buddhika Pathirana were also present at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

All about the seat

The tussle for the candidature even within the same party has currently become a common scenario as is evident in the run-up to the presidential polls unlike ever before in our history. Pix by Lahiru Harshana

Head of Dawoodi Bohra community in SL

Head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, who arrived in Sri Lanka, was welcomed by Minister of Tourism Development John Amaratunga at the Bandaranaike Airport. Seen here Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is with the Bohra community at the St. Albans Place, Bambalapitiya. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Tear-gassed…

IUSF students who staged a protest at the Lotus Roundabout in Colombo were tear-gassed this afternoon. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Near miss...

A Kalutara-bound train (No. 741) had almost collided head-on with another train (No. 412) which had set off to reach Chilaw from Colombo Fort.

’For a country worth living in’

A robot is seen presenting the road map ‘For a country worth living In’, compiled based on the opinions of professionals, social activists, and scholars in the country to Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at a ceremony held at the Nelum Pokuna theatre under the ‘Pannaraya’ promotions campaign.

Army Chief calls on President

The new Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva called on President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat, on Tuesday.

Mete out justice

University of Visual and Performing Arts students staged a protest outside the university over several demands.

Defeat imperialist interference in Venezuela

A public seminar organised by the JVP under the theme of ‘Defeat imperialist interference in Venezuela’ was held at the Centre for Society and Religion Centre auditorium hall (CSR) with the participation of JVP Parliamentarian Dr Nalinda Jayatissa and Deputy Minister for Foreign Relations in Venezuela Rubén Molina.

Colombo Defence Seminar on August 29

A media briefing was held at the Colombo Kingsbury Hotel with the participation of Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, to brief about the ’Colombo Defence Seminar’ which would be held at the BMICH on August 29th and 30th with the participation of 42 countries. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisingha

Series levelled

New Zealand shared the 2-match Test series 1-1, beating Sri Lanka by an innings and 65 runs in Colombo today.

Sizeable lead

Colin de Grandhomme and BJ Watling made contrasting half-centuries on another rain-affected day in Colombo yesterday to give New Zealand a fighting chance of drawing the Test series against Sri Lanka.

Bellanwila Perahera concluded

The Bellanwila Perahera, which paraded the streets of Boralesgamuwa, came to an end with the water cutting ceremony held on Sunday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Work of Malwathu Oya Project launched

The work of the Malwathu Oya Project under which water will provided to people in Anuradhapura , Vavuniya, Vanni and Mannar got off the ground with the participation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday. It was announced that this was one of the biggest irrigation projects implemented during the recent times. The total cost of the project is Rs.22.9 billion.

Road from Mutur to Batticaloa

The work on the Mutur to Batticaloa Road got off the ground ceremoniously with the participation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday. Minister of Highways, Kabir Hashim, and government and TNA parliamentarians participated in the event.

People’s Agenda for Presidential Election

The People’s Agenda for Presidential Election 2019, was launched yesterday with the initiative of several civil society groups including National Movement for Social Justice, Purawesi Balaya and Aluth Parapura. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, several politicians and distinguished guests were present at the event.

Construction Expo 2019

Construction Expo 2019, the annual construction and building material exhibition, was launched by President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday. Minister Champika Ranawaka and MP Mahinda Amaraweera were also present at the launch. The exhibition will be held on Saturday and Sunday as well. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Under one umbrella

A bystander was seen holding an umbrella proving shelter to two cops during heavy rains in Colombo today.

Boult, Southee hurt Sri Lanka

Trent Boult and Tim Southee led New Zealand‘s charge against Sri Lanka on day two of the rain-hit second Test today, with the host skipper Dimuth Karunaratne offering resistance with a half-century. Boult took two early wickets in one over after Sri Lanka resumed the day on 85 for two at Colombo’s P. Sara Oval, where the start was delayed due to a wet outfield.

Gotcha!

A pelican is seen enjoying a meal at the Beira Lake in a gentle rainy atmosphere

SL reach 85-2 on rain-hit day

New Zealand’s cricketer Colin de Grandhomme celebrates with teammates after he dismissed Sri Lanka’s cricketer Kusal Mendis during the opening day of the final Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the P. Sara Oval cricket stadium in Colombo yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana