21 bailed after T20 watta arrest

A Colombo Additional Magistrate today released 21 people who were alleged to have been involved in heroin trafficking and criminal activities, on Rs 25.000 personal bail and at the same time remanding two suspects court ordered the aggrieved parties to complain to the police hierarchy on about six persons who had gone astray after arrest. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

SL president in South Korea

For a four-day official visit on an invitation extended by his South Korean counterpart, President Lee Myung-Bak, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived today (23) at Seoul Air Base in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sung-han welcomed President Rajapaksa on his arrival at the airport and two Sri Lankan children welcomed the First Lady. (Pix by Sudath Silva)

Boulder falls onto railway line

A massive boulder that rolled down Magalhanda hill between Beruwala and Maggona obstructed the railway line last morning. The train service on the southern coastal line was delayed for about one hour until the obstruction was cleared. (Pix by Sarath Siriwardene)

New Year Celebration in Prison

A large number of inmates of the Welikada prison today  participated in a New Year festivity which included a variety of traditional events. Picture shows, one of the inmates taking part in the fancy dress parade. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Elephant race

Elephant race is one of the several events that are included in the New Year festival held in Horana today. Pix by  Nimali Kahawala

Siyambalapitiya denies involvement in robbery

Telecommunications and Information Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya in a letter to Police Chief N.K Illangakone has denied his involvement in the recent robbery at the National Museum.

2012 French Presidential Election

A man waits in line to cast his vote during the 2012 French Presidential Election, in Sydney April 22, 2012. France votes on Sunday in round one of a presidential vote, with a feeble economy that could make Nicolas Sarkozy the country's first president to lose a fight for re-election in more than 30 years. REUTERS

Shuttles meet nose-to-nose

Space Shuttles Enterprise, left, and Discovery meet nose-to-nose at the beginning of a transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Virginia April 19, 2012. Space shuttle Discovery, the first orbiter retired from NASA’s shuttle fleet, completed 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, orbited the Earth 5,830 times, and traveled 148,221,675 miles will take the place of Enterprise at the center to commemo

Plane crash kills all 127 onboard

Pakistani rescue workers and media personnel gather at the site of a plane crash in the outskirts of Islamabad on April 20, 2012. Up to 130 people are feared dead after a Boeing 737 crashed while trying to land in bad weather near the Pakistani capital Islamabad on April 20, officials said. The Bhoja Air flight from Karachi came down outside Islamabad's international airport, police official Fazle Akbar said, adding that emergency teams have

Rain.. rain…

Several roads in Colombo and its suburbs flooded with rain water this evening as a result of heavy showers. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Monks protest in Dambulla

Pictures show Buddhist monks and group of people protesting against the construction of a mosque and a Hindu temple in Dambulla. Ven. Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thera of Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya said that the construction area was inside the Buddhist sacred zone and that erecting houses of worship for other religions there, was illegal. He demanded the authorities stop the construction immediately. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Freedom…

The Sri Lankan fishermen, who were rescued by the Spanish Navy on Wednesday off the coast of Tanzania, are seen with the members of the Spanish navy soon after the rescue operation. (Photo courtesy Spanish Ministry of Defence)

Giant croc saved

A crocodile measuring more than 15 feet drifted to the sea due to floods through the estuary of the Nilvala River in Matara and was saved by the officials of the District Disaster Management Centre with the help of Matara police and the residents of the area yesterday. It had been struggling for survival for more than five hours before it was saved. (Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)

Ranil meets Indian delegation

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met the visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel today. Several UNP senior MPs including General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, Senior Vice President Lakshman Kiriella, Wijedasa Rajapaksa, T. M. Swarynathan, R. Yogarajan, and UNP Chairman Jayawickrema Perera participated in the discussion. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Upgraded railway track unveiled

Pictures show the upgraded coastal railway track from Kalutara to Matara which was declared opened today with the participation of the visiting Indian parliamentary delegation. (Pix by Samantha Perera)

Commander visits war heroes

In connection with the dawn of Sinhala and Hindu New Year Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya visited differently able War Heroes at the MoD built, ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’ (wellness resort) yesterday. Seen here the commander sharing a light moment with a disabled soldier who lost his eyes and both of his legs. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Seychelles Foreign Minister in SL

he Seychelles Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam arrived in the island early this morning. During the visit, the Seychelles Foreign Minister is to hold bilateral talks with the External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to discuss issues of mutual interest with a view to further enhancing  bilateral relations between the two countries. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Media person dies in fatal accident

The Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation van which met an accident  in Rambawa that killed one of its directors and injured five others. Pix by Athula Bandara

Protest against police

People attending the funeral of Nimal Chandrasiri, a fisherman in Wadduwa who died in police custody recently, held a protest during the funeral procession, today. Pix by Sandika Fonseka

Rugby season kicks off

The annual Singer Under-19 Schools’ rugby tournament kicked off today with several matches being played around the city. Seen below are pictures of the match between Zahira College and St. Benedict’s played at the Zahira Grounds in Maradana. The home team won the match 49-12. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Indian MPs visit IDPs

The Indian parliamentary delegation led by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Settikulam, Vavuniya this morning. Thereafter they met the resettle people in  Kombavil. Seen here Ms. Swaraj in discussion with the IDPs. Pix by Romesh Madusanka

Mobile CCTV camera unit

Police Chief N.L Illangakone launched the first mobile Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system today. The system is installed inside a van and it will monitor traffic and other incidents taking place within Colombo. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Abbas visits Independence Square

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who is on a two day state visit to Sri Lanka, visited the Independence Square this morning. His visit is intended to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and to promote investment opportunities. Several memorandum of understanding to meet these objects will also be signed.  Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Indian delegation arrives

The delegation led by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj arrived  Colombo early this morning and will visit northern and eastern Sri Lanka, which bore the brunt of three decades of conflict, besides making a visit to central and southern parts of the island. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Ghandi statue restored

The statue of the great  Indian freedom fighter Mahathma Ghandhi which was vandalized in Batticaloa was restored to its original nature recently. Pictures show the statue of Ghandhi after restoration. Pix by Jauffer khan

Palestine President arrives

Palestine President Muhammad Abbas arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday night (15) for a two day visit. The delegation included Palestine Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Riyad N.A.Malki and several senior officials.

Pettah deserted

Pictured here are scenes from Pettah, the countries trading hub this morning. Pettah was deserted with the entire country going on holiday mood in lieu of the New Year. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

The Derby in the hills

The blue riband of Sri Lankan horse racing ‘The Governors Cup’ was held this morning at the Nuwara Eliya Turf Club. The event is considered a blend of fashion and fusion by many residing here and abroad. Picture shows the winning horse -‘Coffee Café’- and its proud owner with the trophy.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

For a blessed a year

The Annointing of Oil at the auspicious hour was ceremoniously held today at the Gangarama Viharaya. Pictured here are devotees at the ceremony held this morning.( Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Before the dawn of the New Year

Shoppers are seen here in Vavuniya town, doing their last minute shopping before the dawn of the New Year. Pix by Romesh Madusanka