Light Painting

“Light Painting” a photographic exhibition by Indranatha Thenuwara is being held at the J. D. A. Perera Gallery from June 13 to 16. Pix by Nisal Baduge

MR at G77 Summit

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here being escorted to the opening session of the Group of 77 and China (G77+China) Summit taking place in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Pix by President’s media

Video: Pothgul Maha Vihara Mihindu Perahara

Annual Mihindu Perahara organized by Pothgul Maha Vihara Heenatiyana Gampaha was held for the 173rd time yesterday with the special floats made into the shape of various animals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sanga’s century at Lord’s…

Kumar Sangakkara gets a hug from his mate Mahela Jayawardene, after reaching his hundred, in the first test match between England v Sri Lanka at Lord's, 3rd day. Pix courtesy © Getty Images

D. R. Wijewardene commemoration

A commemoration ceremony to mark the 64th death anniversary of Sri Lanka’s press baron the late D. R. Wijewardene was held at the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo yesterday. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

President receives warm welcome

Bolivian Senate President Eugenio Rojas Apaza welcomes President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Viru Viru International Airport as he arrived to attend the G77+China Summit.

JVP seeks domestic independent probe

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking to the media today announcing that his party opposed the UNHRC probe but proposed an amendment to the government motion  seeking a domestic independent inquiry into alleged violations of Human Rights in the country. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Heavy rains in Nuwara Eliya

About 514 people from 102 families of the Nuwara-Eliya and Ginigathhena Divisional Secretariat areas were displaced by heavy rains. Most of the houses in Hatton, Watawala and Dikoya were under water Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Video: Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Puja

The Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Puja which illuminates the historic Thantirimale sacred site was switched on by UNP parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene this evening. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

RSSF Dansala

UNP Organizer Colombo District C. Y. P Ram and UNP Member of the Colombo Municipal Council John Ram of the Ram Social Service Foundation distributed lunch packets to mark the feast of St Anthony’s Church Kochchikade. Mr. Ram is seen distributing lunch packets. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

STF nab 85 kilos of heroin

STF personnel are seen with the large heroin haul at the STF headquarters today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bus plunges into transformer

A SLTB bus travelling from Polonnnaruwa to Colombo plunged into a transformer near Peliyagoda Police Station this morning damaging the transformer. No injuries were reported in the incident. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Allow us to set up a hut!

Students of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine of the Colombo University clashed with the police when they were refused to set up a temporary hut to carry out a Sathyagraha against the alleged failure of the institute to address issues faced by the students. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A meritorious act

United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, was joined by UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and several other MPs to serve food at a Dansala organised by the party at its headquarters ‘Sirikotha’, that was held today to mark Poson Poya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Religious rituals at Poson

A devotee is seen engaging in religious observances at Kelaniya Temple this morning. Hundreds of Buddhist devotees engaged in religious observances at the Temple  in view of Poson Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Victory at last …

With the concerned authorities agreeing to resolve its grievances, the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) ended its continuous protests over the reduction of the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) degree course from four years to three years. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Preparations for Poson

People in Colombo are seen busy making their lanterns and replicas of the Mihintale Rock in view of Poson Poya Day which falls tomorrow. Pix by Kushan  Pathiraja

Video: FNO against Jaya’s demand

Federation of National Organisations (FNO) today held a protest in front of the Indian High Commission over Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s demand to hold a referendum in the North and East and India’s interference in the Sri Lankan internal matters. Pix by Samantha Perera ???

All smiles …

UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen sharing a light moment with trade union leaders today during a discussion held with Trade Unions and the UNP on the gratuity payment. Pix by Samantha Perera

Soldiers clean up at Vatrrapalai

Seen here are Army personnel cleaning the Vatrrapalai Amman Temple area in Mullaithivu near the Nandhikadal lagoon after the Kovil’s annual festival which was held yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Operation Sovereign Borders

The Australian Government today held a media briefing for Colombo based journalists on Operation Sovereign Borders, the Australian Government’s military-led border security initiative designed to prevent human smuggling via sea. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ranil faults decision to reduce powers of UGC

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking to the members of academic community this evening. UNP Leadership Council Member Ruwan Wijewardene and MP Eran Wickramaratne are also present. Pix. by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Vattapalai Amman Temple festival

The annual festival of the Vattapalai Amman Temple in Mullaitivu near the Nandhikadal lagoon was organised today by the Sri Lanka Army. A large number of devotees took part in the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Women seek fairness from govt.

The ‘Women for Rights’ organization today staged a protest in front of the Consumer Affairs Ministry urging the government to pass the benefit of price decreases in the international market to the local consumers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mika Singh Live!

India’s popular Bollywood playback singer Mika Singh is seen performing at the BMICH on Saturday. Pix by Samantha Perera

Cracking nuts

The Matara SLTB Depot employees held a demonstration and dashed coconuts at the Sri Vishnu Devale today against the closure of the Depot without the workers being paid their salaries for April and May. Picture shows protestors marching to the Sri Vishnu Devalaya with coconuts in hand. Pic by Krishasn Jewaka

The 109th birth anniversary

The 109th birth anniversary of leftist leader and humanitarian the late N. M. Perera was held today at the foot of his statue at the Ayurveda Junction in Borella. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: NTUC protest

Members of the National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) yesterday staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station against the government’s decision to give Employees’ Commuted Pension as a bank loan and to pay the unpaid pension gratuity. Pix by Nisal Baduge

JVP fights dengue

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today staged a protest near the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila urging the authorities to formulate a mechanism to tackle the increasing numbers of dengue patients. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: Tree across the road

One side of the road at the Prince of Wales Avenue which leads to Colombo was blocked today as a tree fell across the road. A lorry and a car were damaged but no injuries were reported. Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Fire brigade managed to clear the roadway. Pix by Samantha Perera