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

Ship from China commissioned as ’Parakramabahu’

The ship, P 625, gifted by the Chinese Government to the Sri Lanka Navy was commissioned as SLNS ’Parakramabahu’ by President Maithripala Sirisena today during a commissioning ceremony held at the Colombo Harbour. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Speaker's love

One of New Zealand’s top lawmakers is getting international acclaim after he was filmed cradling a fellow lawmaker’s new baby during a debate in parliament.

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