Third day rehearsals of the victory parade

Rehearsal for the “Victory Day” military parade scheduled to be held on May 19th to commemorate the defeat of the LTTE and the unification of the country was held this morning at the Galle Face. Pix by Kithsiri de Mell

Chinese ambassador takes her leave

The Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mrs. Yang Xiuping meets President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees before she left for China after her service period was over. Pix by President Media Unit

University Employees Union protest

The pictures show the members of the University Employees Union (UEU) repressing the university non academic staff protesting in front of the University Grant Commission (UGC) today urging the government to fulfill their several demands. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

“Victory Day” Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the “Victory Day” military parade scheduled to be held on May 19 to commentate the defeat of the LTTE and the unification of the country was held yesterday and today morning at the Galle Face. The picture shows army personnel during the rehearsals of the second day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Gota’s war

President MahindaRajapaksa during the book launch of ‘Gota’s War- The crushing of Tamil Tiger Terrorism in Sri Lanka’ this evening at Waters Edge, Battaramulla. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah

UNP delegations meets MR

A UNP delegations led by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe met the President at Temple Trees today. Pix by Sudath Silva

Anoma at Colombo High Court

Anoma the wife of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka visits the Colombo High Court premises today to attend the court trial against Fonseka and Senaka Haripriya De Silva for allegedly harbouring Army deserters. The case was postponed since Fonseka was hospitalized for treatment for Asthmatic Bronchitis at Nawaloka Hospital. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Accident on Kiribathgoda Bridge

Pictures show a private bus precariously placed on the edge of the Kiribathgoda Bridge in Colombo Kandy road this morning. The bus heading to Colombo from Nittambuwa had being going at an excessive speed and crashed into the railing of the bridge. Two persons in the bus had suffered minor injuries due to the accident. Pix by Lal S. Kumara

Mercedes Benz exhibition

The Mercedes Benz vehicle exhibition 2012 was held today at the BMICH. The event is aimed at showcasing vintage cars as well as newer models brought into the island. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Peterite Walk 2012

The walk of St. Peters College was held today at Bambalapitiya to celebrate 90 years of the College. Several students, teachers and old boys as well as parents took part in the walk which commenced from the College premises. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Lights the Olympic torch

Actress Ino Menegaki, acting as high priestess, lights the Olympic torch on May, 2012 during the lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia the sanctuary where the Olympic Games were born in 776 B.C.  AFP

Carlton Super 7's

'Carlton Super Sevens Rugby Tournament 2012' will be held on May 26, 27 and June 2, 3 at the Bogambara Grounds in Kandy and Police Park, Colombo respectively. The promotional campaign of the tournament was kicked off today at the Independence Square. The Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation is the main sponsor of the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Freedom

Nearly 672 ex LTTE cadres were taken to visit several important sites in Colombo by the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry. Some of the former combatants saw enjoying themselves at the Galle Face Beach. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Accident in Chilaw

At least ten persons were injured when a CTB bus belonging to the Chilaw CTB depot skidded off the Chilaw- Kurunegala main road and crashed into a Palmyrah tree in the Kokkavilla area, due to a technical failure. (Pix by Jude Samantha)

Postal workers protest

Employees of the newly opened Department Of Post office in Olcott Mawatha today staged a token strike lamenting the facilities and safety measures at the newly opened location. They said they would continue the protest for three days if no immediate solution was provided. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Visual arts students’ protest

Students of the University of Visual and Performing Arts staged a protest urging the government to upgrade the hostel facilities and to base student admission on the placement exam and not on the Z score marks. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Contraband seized at BIA

Customs seized cigarettes, beedi, enasal and paanparat worth around Rs.5 million hidden in the luggage of 37 Sri Lankans coming to Colombo from Bangkok, India and China. Three persons were arrested by the Customs. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ranil in Hulftsdorp

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe met with people in the Hulftsdorp area to discuss problems faced by the people. The UNP leader criticized the government of raising prices of goods and noted that the government has proven its failure to manage the economy. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Greece Olympic flame

Greek actress Ino Menegaki, playing the role of High Priestess, lights the Olympic flame during a dress rehearsal for the torch lighting ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece May 9, 2012. The official lighting ceremony for the London Games will take place on May 10. REUTERS

Illegal cigarette stock seized

Pictures show a stock of illegal cigarette carton seized today by the airport  customs at the Katunayake airport. Customs Officials said that two people were arrested and the stock was brought from Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia and the suspect appeared as a leader of Hajj pilgrims’ group. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Anoma, Sajith at SC

Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and several politicians were present at the Supreme Court Complex today to attend the hearing of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka appeal against the white flag case judgment. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vesak bhakthi geetha

The All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) organised a recital of Buddhist devotional songs to mark Vesak bringing the Vesak Zone at Independent Squire to life last evening. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Situation under control

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal addressing a press conference in Colombo today forecasting a higher inflation rate and lower growth for this year stimulated by negative local and global economic factors adding that the situation was under control. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Strong winds

Strong winds with heavy rains experienced in several areas in the Polonnaruwa district yesterday evening damaged houses and buildings in the area. In the picture is a damaged telecommunication tower. Pix by Nawaratne Samaratunga

‘Migadaya Wesak Zone’

The ‘Migadaya Wesak Zone’ which was organized with the contribution of the Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandira, Bodhi Buddhist Centre, Kirulapone and Isipathana College is being held in Thimbirigasaya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

France newly-elected President

France's newly-elected President Francois Hollande celebrates with his companion Valerie Trierweiler (3rdR) and Socialist party members on stage during a victory rally at Place de la Bastille in Paris early May 7, 2012. France voted in elections on Sunday and Francois Hollande becomes the nation's first Socialist president in 17 years. REUTERS

Back to the Buddha tradition

Preparation for the Vesak

Monks drape a robe on a Buddha statue at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo in preparation for the Vesak Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Japanese Dy PM takes Mihin Air

Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada arrived here on a Mihin Lanka flight for a two-day visit to mark the 60th anniversary of Japan-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations. He was welcomed by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the airport. Pix by Deepa Adhikari-Airport

Vesak celebrations in Colombo

 Pictures show the ‘Wesak Pandals’ erected around the Colombo city limits to describe the Jathaka stories of the Buddha for the upcoming Vesak Poya Day celebrations. - Pix by Nisal Baduge