Another group of refugees return from India

Seventy two Tamil refugees who had fled to India during the war and lived in refugee camps in South India arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport last evening. Pix by Deepa Adikari

In support of the Divi Neguma Bill

Samurdhi unions today staged a demonstration along the Parliament road in support of the Divi Neguma Bill that was presented to parliament. Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Bandula Gunawardena and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena were also present. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Annual book fair opens at BMICH

The Colombo International Book Fair which is held in September every year coinciding with the literary month commenced today at the BMICH in Colombo. It will be held till next Wednesday (26). Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Against use of arsenic

The all Ceylon Buddhist Congress today organised a media briefing headed by JHU parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana thera, to express their disappointment over the authorities’ inaction towards arsenic content in agrochemicals. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Protest over anti-Islamic video

Residents of Akkaraipattu staged a protest over the anti-Islamic video produced in America. Shops, schools and government institutions were shut down because of the protest. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala

The 148th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala was commemorated at the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo today. A perahara was also organized by the CMC in collaboration with the Mahadodhi Society to coincide with the commemoration ceremony. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Demanding the release of abductees

Family members and friends of the abductees in Mattakkuliya held a protest campaign opposite the Mattakkuliya police station today demanding the release of those abducted in the past few months. Pix by Nisal Baduge

On way to jail...

Malaka Silva and Rehan Wijeratne who were remanded today for allegedly assaulting an army officer are seen leaving the court premises. Minister Mervyn Silva also was present. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Satyagraha against use of arsenic

A ‘sathyagraha’ organized by the Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya was held today at the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo urging the government to take immediate measures to stop the use of agrochemicals containing arsenic and other heavy metals. (Pix by Nisal Baduge)

'Cormorant Strike III'

Military representatives from five countries, including India, China and Pakistan, are participating with Sri Lankan armed forces in a 16-day joint exercise aimed at strengthening regional cooperation with focus on counter-terrorism measures.

Lara with MR

Former West Indian star batsman Brian Lara paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at President’s House in Colombo today. Courtesy-President media unit

Congratulations...

Kumar Sangakkara has his hands full after the ICC Awards function. Photo AFP

Parliamentarians beat Veddah cricket team

The Parliamentarians' cricket team 'scored an easy 29-run victory over a team comprising members of the Indigenous (Veddah) community at a softball cricket match at the Badulla Cricket Stadium. Pix by Lunugala Prassad Padamasiri

Foreign Prof. & Doctor ordained as Bhikkunis

Two ladies, one from Italy and the other from Germany, renounced the worldly pleasures and entered the order at the Olabotuwa Khema Arya Meditation Centre in Horana yesterday morning.

Protest by University students

University students staged a protest march from Colombo University to the University Grants Commission (UGC) urging the authorities to save free education and resolve the university crisis. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Honouring a champion

Lance Corporal Pradeep Sanjaya, who carved a niche for himself in the annals of Sri Lanka’s Paralympic History, by bringing the first-ever Bronze Medal, called on the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya this morning

SC gives 11 orders resolving Z-score crisis

GCE A/L students caught up in the Z-score muddle are seen in tears outside the Supreme Courts after they found out that they would not be among some 5,000 additional students who would be admitted to universities. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Prayer to free political prisoners

People in the North dashed 1008 coconuts in front of Kurumanadu Khali Kovil in the hope of the release of “Tamil political prisoners” in most of the prisons in the country. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Air force soldiers renovate tanks in Vavunia

Soldiers in Mamaduwa, Vavunia air force camp had taken steps to renovate the irrigation tanks in Vavunia which had been neglected during the war. The pictures show the soldiers engaged in renovation work. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Kaluthara PS chairman bail out

The Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman who was arrested for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs.3 million was released today on strict bail terms after being in remand for close to a month. The Picture shows the Chairman walking out of the Colombo Magistrate court. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: ...?

 Minister Mervyn Silva, his son Malaka and Hirunika Premachandra are seen paying homage to the sacred relics at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Exposition of relics at Gangarama Temple ends today

The exposition of sacred Kapilavasthu relics which began last Saturday at the Hunupitiya Gangarama temple will end today. Devotees are seen queuing up to pay homage to the sacred relics. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sacred relics in Colombo

The sacred Kapilawasthu relics were brought to the Gangaramaya temple in Colombo this morning. Thousands of devotees flocked to the temple to pay homage to the sacred relics. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Voting in the East

 People from all walks of life are pictured here queuing up at polling booths in the Eastern province. The provincial council elections in the East were hotly contested by all parties and recorded the highest number of election violence incidents.

Sri Lankan crowned Italian beauty queen

A Sri Lankan resident in Italy, Uddima Oshadi De Silva, who took part in the 2013 Italian beauty queen context and selected for the final round was crowned as the film star beauty queen in Venice, Italy by Italian film star beauty queen Adriana Felusco.

A bath before the event

Elephants participating at the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya for Dalada Perahera are seen having bath hours before the start of the Kumbal Perahera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Preparing for the polls

Ballot boxes for the PC election which is to be held tomorrow were transported under police guard from 25 counting centers to the polling booths in Trincomalee this morning. Amadoru Amarajeewa

Unfazed by the downpour

People in Pettah are seen here going about with their daily work, despite the heavy rains experienced in the city throughout the morning. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: Under attack

Police use water cannon to disperse students staging a satyagraha campaign in front of the University Grants Commission at Ward Place. Pix by Gayan Amarasekera

A shout to Tamil Nadu

Businessmen from the countries main trading hub, Pettah closed shops today in order to protest the harassment of visiting Lankan pilgrims to Tamil Nadu. The protestors marched towards the Indian High Commission causing a major traffic congestion in Colombo. By Kushan Pathiraja