Despair over doctors' strike

Patients waiting at the OPD unit in the Colombo General Hospital this morning despite the 24-hour countrywide strike by the Government doctors. The strike was launched because the government had failed to increase the basic salaries and special allowances of doctors and had not provided a special transport allowance enjoyed by other state sector employees. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Shout for a pay hike

The Joint Trade Union Committee of Teachers and Principals staged a protest march from the Rajagiriya Ayurvedic roundabout to the Isurupaya Education Ministry today, demanding a pay hike and to resolve other issues pertaining to the education sector. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Protest march demanding solutions

Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine staged a protest march from Colombo National Hospital to Health Ministry today urging the authorities to resolve their professional issues such as increasing Call duty allowances, Overtime allowances, promotions to the first grade and some other demands. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ex Tigers join CDF to cultivate

More than 3000 former LTTE cadres who once fought against the security forces have now joined the Civil Defence Force (CDF) after completing their rehabilitation process and most of them are stationed in the Mulaithivu and Kilinochchi districts where they are working at farms with an area of 200 acres run by the CDF to meet the daily food requirements of the armed forces. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

A shout to remove salary anomalies

The collective of pensioners’ associations staged a protest outside the ministry of state administration urging the authorities to do away with their salary anomalies and resovle this matter by allocating funds in the next budget. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Six students hospitalised

At least six students were hospitalised following the clash between students of Royal College and Thurstan College this afternoon, police said. Picture shows police dispersing the students. Pix by Nisal Baduge

It’s a laughing matter

Minister Basil Rajapaksa and UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera are seen here sharing a lighter moment during the ‘Business Today Top Twenty Five awards’ ceremony that was held yesterday at Hilton Colombo. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was also present at the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

NTUC and FUTA on 6% GDP

The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) and the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) distributed leaflets today at the Fort Railway station to educate the public about the importance of a 6% GDP allocation for education. Pix by Nisal Baduge

‘Che” commemoration

“Che” Guevara Commemoration was held by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo last evening. The JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe participated in the occasion. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘Give my husband back’

A protest march was organised yesterday by Sandya Ekanigoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaliagoda, to mark the 1000th day since the journalist’s disappearance. Pix by Nisal Baduge

“Ekiya Rata Surakimu”

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Western Provincial Councilor Udaya Gammanpila are seen exchanging quiet words during a special forum titled “Ekiya Rata Surakimu” organized by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), at the Public Library in Colombo today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel 

Video: Madusha, 2nd runner-up at Miss International pageant

Madusha Mayadunne of Sri Lanka was selected as the second runner-up in the Miss International final held on October 21, 2012 in Okinawa, Japan. Ikumi Yoshimatsu from Japan was crowned Miss International 2012.

Nurses protest in Colombo

The All Ceylon Nurses Union today held a protest in front of the Colombo National Hospital demanding authorities to expand the health service as an island wide service and several other demands Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Friends in law

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in conversation with lawyers at the get-together of the National Lawyers Association at the SSC today. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Racecourse gets facelift

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Saturday declared open the fully-refurbished mini pavilion of the old Racecourse in Colombo which has been turned into a fully equipped modern shopping and restaurant complex. Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya

Video: 'Kora Aliya' tranquilized

A wild elephant, known as 'Kora Aliya' that has turned a great threat to the safety of residents in several villages of the Ampara district was tranquilized by Wildlife Department officials this morning in order to be transported to Pinnawala.Pix and video by Wasantha Chandrapala

Sea cucumber dealer shot dead

A sea cucumber dealer was shot dead when two unidentified men on a motorcycle that was without a number plate fired at them today in the Nahavilluwa area of Puttalam, the police said.   Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Video: New train on maiden journey

A new train service from Colombo Fort to Nanu Oya via Kandy was launched today with the participation of the Deputy Transport Minister Rohana Dissanayake. The new train which comprises luxury compartments, second class and third class compartments will leave Colombo Fort at 8.10 am and reach Nanu Oya at 2.00 pm. It will return from Nanu Oya at 2.50 pm and reach Colombo Fort at 8.47 pm. It will stop only at main stations. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Friends...

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Bandula Gunawardane, Rajitha Senaratne and UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake attended a book launching ceremony yesterday at the BMICH. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Hotel exhibition at SLECC

“Hotel, Hospitality and Food Sri Lanka 2012”, the international hotel suppliers and services exhibition was declared open today at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre (SLECC). The exhibition will be held till October 20. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Against the executive

The rally organized by the National Bikkhu Front (NBF) headed by Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka calling for the abolition of the executive presidency was held at Hyde Park today. Former Chief Justice Sarath Silva and many other civil society and political leaders participated in the rally. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘Vipakshaye Virodaya’

A leaflet distribution campaign was held today at the Nugegoda super market organised by the UNP led ‘Vipakshaye Virodaya’, the joint opposition alliance, UNP. Pictured here is the opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe participating in the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Illegal fishing gear netted

At least 62 fishermen who were fishing by using illegal fishing gear were arrested with nine fishing boats and illegal fishing gear off the Eastern seas following a combine raid carried out by the Navy, police and the Coastal guard. (Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa)

Planet with four suns found

HD 98800 is a multiple star system about 150 light years from Earth -- right in our section of the Milky Way Galaxy. For years it has been known that HD 98800 consists of two pairs of double stars, with one pair surrounded by a disk of dust..... (Image credit: NASA)

Customs seize Rs.50 Mn worth goods

Customs seized a 40 feet container with perfumes, shoes, nutritional supplements and luxurious items worth Rs.50 million at the Colombo Port today imported using forged documents.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Artefacts unearthed

An octagonal stupa, statues of various deities and some other artefacts were discovered during excavations done by the Department of Archaeology at the Polwatta Ovagiri Stupa in Ampara. Pix by Wasanatha Chandrapala

Video: Pay us our EPF

CTB Retired Employees’ Fraternity staged a protest outside the Labour Department in Narahenpita over the non payment of EPF dues to its retired employees. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Call to abolish the 13th amendment

The venerable Elle Gunawansa thera convened a news conference today calling for the abolition of the 13th amendment to the constitution. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A poster that says it all

A series of posters were visible around Colombo, depicting names of politicians who are billed to participate at the rally to be held on October 18. The names of those displayed include prominent UNP’ers, who have been barred from attending the rally. The rally is to be chaired by Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Respect us too

The Sri Lanka Federation of the visually handicapped staged a walk today from Viharamaha Devi Park to the public library to mark yesterday’s White Cane Safety Day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana