A little game of footy

Sri Lankan cricketers Tillekaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne and Captain Mahela Jayawardena enjoy a game of football during a practice session at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play the first of five one-day matches at Pallekele today. The one-days will be followed by three test matches. AFP

From farmers to forces

Soldiers purchase paddy from farmers in the east to be used in their military camps. Around 1700 tonnes of rice are needed annually for the consumption of soldiers. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Hambantota port now active

Vehicles were offloaded from ships berthed at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Port at Hambantota marking the commencement of regular commercial activities. MP Namal Rajapaksa and Deputy Minister of Ports and Highways Rohitha Abeygunawardena participated in the event. Pix by Jayamal Chandrasiri

MR meets British MPs

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was in London to attend Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee celebrations, held talks with a group of British Parliamentarians at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London yesterday. Pix by Sudath Silva

Venus travels across the sun

School children and office workers are gathered at the Planetarium to catch a rare glimpse of Venus inching across the face of sun. The next transit of Venus will occur in another 105 years in 2117. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Former AG in Court

Former Attorney General Mohan Peries today gave evidence at the Homagama Magistrate’s court in connection with a statement he had made at the United Nations last year. Pix by Nisal Baduge

‘Poson Kalapaya’

The colourful Maharagama ‘Poson Kalapaya’ organized by the Maharagama Urban Council attracted large crowds last night. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Poson Dansala at Sirikotha

United National Party (UNP) has organized Dansalas this afternoon at its head quarters “Sirikotha”, Pitakotte and with the participation of Parliamentarian Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene who served food to a child for Poson full-moon poya day. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The blessing of blood

A blood and eye donation campaign was organized by Udaya Enterprises at Dehiwala, Karagampitiya this morning to mark the Poson Poya day.  During the past few years, more than 3070 people have donated their blood at this annual campaign. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Exposition of relics

The exposition of sacred relics of Ven Arahats Sariyuth and Mugalan commenced with the distinguished participation of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Addressing the ceremony organised by the security forces, the Defence Secretary said it was a pleasure that the security forces after saving the country from terrorism have now taken to religious activities. Pix by Wasasntha Chandrapala

Freedom on a blessed day

Cattle which were to be sold to butchers were released by the Ministerial Security Division today.  Many believe releasing cattle from being slaughtered as a blessing. Pix by Pradeep K. Parthirana

Poson Poya day

Picture shows people gathered at the Kelaniya temple for Poson engaging in religious activities today morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ready for Poson celebrations

Enthusiastic kids are seen here preparing for the Poson Poya celebrations at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple today. Sri Lanka’s Buddhists will celebrate Poson Poya which marks the day that Buddhism was introduced to the country. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

The Shangri- La Dialogue

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G L Peiris and Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa are seen here meeting with Defence Minister of Singapore Dr NG Eng Hen in Singapore, on the side line of the ‘Shangri- La Dialogue’ the Asian region's biggest defence and security forum that commenced in Singapore yesterday.

‘Coming home…’

Pictures show the deported asylum seekers from UK arriving at the BIA today. Pics by Deepa Adikari

Murder at Bambalapitiya

Picture shows the police investigating the body of a man who was stabbed to death near Hindu College, Bambalapitiya this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A show of support

Public Health Inspectors held a protest campaign opposite the Health Ministry in Colombo, demanding an increase in their fuel and uniform allowances. Picture shows Minister Mervyn Silva, who went to the scene to meet the protestors. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

President meets Princess of Thailand

Pictures show President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand at a meeting yesterday(30) at the Sra Pathum Palace in Bangkok. Pix by Sudath Silva

Peace march against smoking

Pictures show a march against smoking that took place from Gunasinghapura to the Fort railway station this morning. State officials and many others participated in this event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dailymirror Facebook Page - May 2012

The Dailymirror print edition today carried its 2nd dedicated Facebook page; the page was compiled with all your comments, shares & likes posted for our Facebook posts during the month of May 2012. Have a look at it and if comments from you or your friends are featured on it, please go ahead and share this.

Waiting to go home

Seen here are people residing in the Kiliweddi IDP camp in Trincomalee, awaiting a chance to return to their homes. Although it has been three years since the end of the thirty year old ethnic conflict in the North, there still seems to be issues not addressed with regard to the displaced. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Hello...

A felicitation ceremony to mark the 70th birthday of the chief prelate of the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya, the Ven Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera was held yesterday at the BMICH. Here former army commander Sarath Fonseka chats with ministers Bandula  and Dinesh Gunawardena. Pix by Romesh Danushka de Silva

Monks in ‘Pindapatha’

A procession of Buddhist monks was held in Kolonnawa in view of the Sambuddhatwa Jayanthiya today. The programme was organized to give alms to the Buddhist monks together with 100 simultaneous “Dharma Deshanas” (religious sermons) being conducted in the area. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: “Release them now”

The Movement for the release of Political prisoners conducted a protest opposite the Welikada Jail demanding the release of all Political prisoners including prisoners being held on charges of being members of the LTTE. The movement called for expediting the legal process to secure the release of all prisoners. Pix by Samantha Perera

To take stern action

Unions attached to the Health sector staged a protest opposite the Health Ministry demanding pending benefits to all health sector employees. The Unions vowed to take stern action if the demands are not met within two weeks. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Protest against ragging and student politics

The University Independent Conversion Movement staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway station against ragging and student politics inside universities. According to the movement, due to ragging 15 students were killed, 25 were disabled and nearly 6000 left universities. Pix By Kushan Pathiraja

Navy passing out parade

A group of 76 officers of the Sri Lanka Navy were passed out and commissioned at a ceremony held at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee this evening. External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peries was the Chief Guest at the event. Pix by Pradeep K Pathirana

Sri Lanka-Pakistan series launch

Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka – which begins with a T20 this Friday at Hambantota – was officially launched today at the Taj Samudra Hotel. Seen here are the captains, Mahela Jayawardene and Pakistan’s T20 skipper Mohammed Hafeez, posing with the trophy. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Gankanda free

UNP MP Dinesh Gankanda is seen here visiting the Colombo Fort magistrate’s court. The MP was released on bail after he was surrendered to the Police. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Today for tomorrow

‘Heta Wenuven Ada’ (Today for Tomorrow), a program carried out to educate the youth on the conservation of energy was held with the participation of 30 schools at Visakha Vidyalaya today. Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka attended the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana