Rs. 21m foreign currency busted

A Sri Lankan who allegedly attempted to smuggle foreign currency worth of 21 Million in Sri Lankan Rupees was apprehended this morning at the Bandaranaike International Air Port by custom officials. It was revealed that he the suspect is a mobile phone businessman (35) from Mathara. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Exchanging documents

Sinolanka Hotel and Spa Chairman Gamini Senarath exchanging the agreement with BOI Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinand in the presence of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Lawyers protest attack on Mannar Court

Lawyers and staff of the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Kilinochchi Magistrate’s courts stayed away from Court work today in protest over yesterday’s attack on the Mannar Magistrate’s Court by Uppukulam fisher folk. Minister Rishard Bathiudeen rushed to Mannar to talk to the protesting fisher folk and government authorities in an effort to resolve the matter. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Hoisting the flag

A flag hoisting ceremony was held this morning at the Shree Vishnu Kovil in Chilaw. The ceremony inaugurated festivities of the Kovil which will last nine days. Pictured here are devotees of the Kovil at the ceremony. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Sri Lanka to take on World Champs

Sri Lankan cricket team captain Mahela Jayawardene (L) and Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (R) pose for photographers with the ODI trophy during a press conference in Colombo on July 18, 2012. India will play five one-day internationals in Sri Lanka, starting in Hambantota on July 21, plus a one-off Twenty20 match on August 7. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

50,000 acres of paddy land affect by drought

The prolong drought has affected a large population in the Puttlam district. More than 50,000 acres of paddy land have been destroyed while the Thabbo weva, Mahasen wewa and Maha kumbukkadawala tanks are running dry. Some 300,000 families are facing hardship for want of drinking water. Residents of these drought affected villagers are seen buying water from water tankers. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Indian cricketers here for ODI

The Indian Cricket team arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport today to participate in a five-match one-day series and a one T20 matche. The Indian team led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and 14 other players together with 11 officials are seen at arrival. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Tangalle rape suspect falls ill in court

A suspect of the rape of a 15 year old girl in Tangalle was rushed to hospital after he complained of a chest pain when the case was being heard at the Tangalle Magistrates court.  21 suspects including Tangalle Urban Council member Anjana Liyanage and a millionaire businessman were remanded till the 27th of July. The 13 year old suspect son of the businessman was sent to the Hikkaduwa probation school. Pix and text by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaru

Unemployed Graduates protest

Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates (CAUG) staged a protest today in front of the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs demanding job opportunities for graduates who passed out from universities in 2010 and 2011. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Norochcholai fisher folk don’t want power line

Puttalam fisherfolk today staged protest over the laying of a high-tension power line from the Norochcholai Lak Wijeya thermal power plant to another area over the Puttalam lagoon. More than 300 members of the Valarpirai Lagoon Fishermen’s Society participated in the protest. They said the proposed high-tension power line over the lagoon would be an obstacle to their livelihood. They asked the authorities to cancel the proposed project or e

Cross over…

Embilipitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Wijaya Witanage (UPFA) today joined the UNP.  Seen here is UNP leader Ranil Wikremesinghe handing over the appointment letter to Mr. Withanage at the Sirikotha. (Pix by Nisal Baduge)

Azath resigns

Member of the Colombo Municipal Council Azath Sally today resigned from municipal council in order to contest the upcoming Eastern Provincial Council election (Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi)

PHI’s protest

Public Health Inspectors in the Trincomalee town today staged a protest against the killing of a PHI in Kantale area by wearing black bands. Eastern province Health Director Dr N Devarajanan was participated at the event. Pix by Amadoru Amarakjeewa

Opposition protest…

\\\ Joint opposition led by the UNP which took to the streets in Gampaha today called for a general election instead of the provincial council elections. Several opposition parties including UNP, Democratic People’s Front, NSSP, United Socialist Party, Nawa Sihala Urumaya and Ruhunu Janatha Party made this call claiming that the present regime had failed to deliver its promises. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Mud Festival

People play in the mud during the Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon beach in Boryeong, about 190 km (118 miles) southwest of Seoul, July 15, 2012. About 2 to 3 million domestic and international tourists visit the beach during the annual mud festival, according to the festival organisers. REUTERS

Protest on a tree

A person identified as Lalith Wijesinghe is reported to have climbed up a tree outside Dambulla Magistrate today in protest over the verdict given by the Dambulla Magistrate. A police team had taken him down with great effort. The man had climbed the tree after the Magistrate released a suspect who was accused of having obtained Rs.300,000 from Wijesinghe in 2008. The Court had ordered the release because of the lack of evidence to prove that t

Fonseka visits church

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and his wife Anoma visited the Tewatte Basilica Church and participated in the church service today. Later they visited the Rosarian Convent and expressed their gratitude to the Sisters for their blessings during the time of distress.  Pix by Devapriaya Chandrasiri

Maldivian protest in Colombo

Members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held a protest near the Maldivian Embassy in Colombo yesterday calling for the resignation of President Mohamed Waheed and urging a free and fair general election. Some protesters are seen holding placards during the protest. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A failed attempt…

A group of 109 asylum seekers, who attempted to flee to Australia in a trawler, was nabbed by the Sri Lanka Navy yesterday. Here asylum seekers on board the trawlers soon after their arrival at the Trincomalee Naval Base last night.

Aerial view…

An aerial view of the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Plant, which was commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo this morning. Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka and several government ministers and officials were also present. Pix-President’s Media

S. Asia’s largest hotel show

South Asia’s largest hospitality exhibition, Hotel Show 2012, was held at the BMICH today. The exhibition showcased hotel products and supplies along with services. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Looking for...

Members of the UNP Nomination Board interviewing a potential candidate for the forthcoming provincial council elections. The interviews took place at the party headquarters, Sirikotha today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Sirikotha under construction

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake supervising the reconstruction work on the UNP head quarters ‘Sirikotha’ today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Iranamadu gone dry

A large population including over 9000 farmers who depend on the Iranamadu reservoir for irrigation facilities and drinking water face a major crisis due to the prolonged drought experienced in the Kilinochchi District. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Against rabies

Due to the increase of stray dogs and cats, there is a possibility of rabies spreading in the Vavuniya district. The pictures show a group of veterinary doctors conducting sterilization operations and giving the anti-rabies vaccine.  Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Seminar on poverty alleviation

Indian Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh and Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris are seen here at a seminar on poverty alleviation. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

160th anniversary of CMS

The 160th anniversary of the Christian Missionary School (CMS) was marked today under the patronage of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Seen here are the secretary along with former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and other politicians inspecting the old school buildings that are to be renovated within the next few years. Pix By Waruna Wanniarachchi

Against threat and intimidation

Activists across the social and political spectrum held a joint protest at the Lipton Circus in Colombo, today. Leaders of opposition parties together with activists urged the government to stop threats and intimidation on the media, and protested against the proposed website regulation. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Leaflet campaign to stop curruption

The Health Services Trade Union Alliance today carried out a leaflet distribution campaign to educate the people on the alleged large scale corruption in the health sector. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Pensioners stage massive protest

Members of the All Ceylon Pensioners’ Organisation held a protest outside the Fort Railway Station today to urge the government to fulfill the promises it made during the elections and solve the problems faced by pensioners. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana