GLF ends

The last day of the four day Galle Literary Festival was today. Both local and foreign authors participated in this much awaited programme which started on Thursday January 19. Seen are some pictures taken before the programme ended today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Abdul Kalam's visit

Former Indian President Abdul Kalam who is in Sri Lanka on a five day official visit met the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress delegation led by Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem in Colombo today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Smart Metre launched

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkodi launched the pioneering project of Smart Metre with pre-payment capability in the parliamentary complex, while Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva look on. Pix by Kushan Patiraja

Foundation laid for Lotus Tower

The foundation stone for the 350 metre Lotus Tower to be constructed on D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha was laid today by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and the President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. The tower is to be constructed within 30 months at a cost of US$104.3 million by the China National Electronic Import and Export Corporation. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Accident in Meerigama

A van that skidded off the road this morning at the Napewatta Junction crashed into a wayside boulder causing serious injuries to the driver. Residents of the area gathered at the scene, evacuated the driver who was trapped in the wreckage and rushed him to Watupitiwala hospital. Pic by Pushpakumara Mallawarachchi

Baptism ceremony

A child is baptized during a mass baptism ceremony in Tbilisi, January 19, 2012. More than 500 children were baptized by the Georgian Orthodox church during the 21st mass baptism ceremony at the country's main cathedral Holy Trinity. REUTERS

Rescuers set up

Rescuers set up a floating barrier on January 18, 2012 as the cruise liner Costa Concordia is aground in front of the harbour of the Isola del Giglio (Giglio island) after hitting underwater rocks on January 13. Rescuers looking for the 20 people still missing from the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia the same day suspended their search as the vessel shifted. AFP

CEB to get new head office

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is to get a new head office in year 2013 at a cost of Rs.1600 million. The new head office, ‘Vidulakpaya’ is to be constructed in the E.D Dabare Road in Narahenpita. The foundation stone for a 10 storey building was laid by Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Stop harassment of women

The Lak Wanitha movement which is an association affiliated to Sri Lankan’s main opposition party UNP today called on the Sri Lanklan Authorities to probe the recent killing of a tourists in the southern town of Tangalle and to take effective steps to stop the harassment of women. A woman is seen holding up a placard at a protest organised by the movement in front of the office of Women and Child Affairs Ministry. (Pix by Pradeep Pathiran

Accident in Mt. Lavinia

Nine persons were injured this morning when a school van collided with a bus in Mt. Lavinia. Pix by H.M. Dharmapala and Rekha Tharangani

The youth for renovation

The National Youth Front has come forward to provide financial assistance to renovate the UNP Headquarters, ‘Sirikotha’ which was damaged by a commotion at the election of officer bearers in December last year. Here UNP Gampaha District MP and National Youth Front President Ruwan Wijeyawardene (right) hands over a cheque to UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at his office today. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake is also present. P

A call for recruitment

The combined ‘Professions supplementary to Medicine’ staged a protest in front of the Health Ministry at Deans Road Maradana yesterday. The Protestors which included all supplementary professional’s unions called for the government to recruit all Supplementary Medical Graduates for permanent employment

India- Lanka sign MOU's

Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M.Krishna signed a number of MOU's on Agriculture, Housing and Telecommunications.The pictures show the

Sled dog race

A dog jumps before the mass start of the eighth stage of the La Grande Odyssee sled dogs race in Bessans January 16, 2012. The race crosses the Alps in France covering over 1000 km (621 miles) over 11 days. REUTERS

Indian FM and MR participate in Thai Pongal festivities

India's Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna (3rd R) and Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa (C) take part in a Thaipongal festival in Colombo January 16, 2012. Krishna is on an official visit to Sri Lanka. REUTERS

Anticipating clash

Students of the Colombo University conducted a meeting against the establishment of private universities, inside the university premises today. Anticipating a clash, Policemen reinforced with water-canons and tear-gas were present at the location. However, no such clash occurred and instead, as the picture shows, students gave out hand-outs to those present, including the policeman. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Countrywide Grade 1 admissions today

The countrywide admission of children to Grade 1 took place today. Pictures show students being admitted to Grade 1 at Ananda Shastralaya in Kotte. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SLN rescue Fin Whale

Naval personnel attached to SLNS Vijaya in the North-Western Naval Area took timely action to save the life of an injured whale, which had washed ashore on the Vella Beach in Kalpitiya on January 13, 2012. In a mammoth effort which took some seven hours, they managed to assist the 38 foot Fin Whale to swim back to deep waters off the Dutch Bay after freeing it from the entangled fishing net which had hindered its free movement (Source: navy.lk)

‘Puswedilla'

President Mahinda Rajapaksa bursting into spontaneous laughter while watching the political satire ‘Puswedilla – Part 3’ at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in Colombo on Saturday. Several Parliamentarians, Ministers and artistes were also among the audience. Pix by Sudath Silva

Mumbai Marathon 2012

International athletes participate in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2012, in Mumbai on January 15, 2012. Laban Moiben of Kenya won the race in a time of 2:10:48 hours. AFP

Qatar Emir in Sri Lanka

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani who arrived today was greeted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Bandaranaike International Airport. He is on a two day official visit to Sri Lanka. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Plastics crates or the usual way

The use of plastic crates to transport vegetables and fruits became compulsory from today, January 15, after a 30 day period was given to them by the President following discussions. However in Pettah today dozens of vendors were seen using the old method to transport the items. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Thai Pongal Day

Thai Pongal Day was marked today by Hindu devotees in different parts of the country. Seen here are devotees marking the day by participating in religious rituals at the Shiwam Kovil in Kotahena. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Navy renovates school hostel

The main hostel of Ananda College was renovated by the Sri Lanka Navy under the direction of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and was handed over to school authorities today, after a 30 day programme. Seen here is Mr. Rajapaksa, a distinguished old boy, talking to a school boy. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Jumps at the 'haundschopf'

Switzerland's Silvan Zurbriggen jumps at the “haundschopf” (dog head) during the second training session of the FIS World Cup Men's Downhill on January 12, 2012 in Wengen. AFP.

A shot on the opening day

England's Andrew Strauss plays a shot during the second day of their second practice match against the Pakistan Cricket Board XI at the ICC Global Cricket Academy ground in Dubai January 12, 2012. REUTERS

New grounds at Kotte

The ground at Kotte Ananda Shastralaya was opened today in the presence of former External Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Amir Inapt, Cultural Attache of the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo and Captain M.G. Kularathna Chairman of Maga Construction Ltd. The ground was constructed with the support of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Will not remove garbage till action is taken

The staff of the Kolonnawa Urban Council held a protest today (January 12), against the Vice Chairman of the council, Suresh Kodagoda, alleging that he had attacked two employees of the Urban Council yesterday (January 11). They will refrain from removing garbage until disciplinary action is taken against him over this incident.  Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Remembering Lasantha

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his erstwhile deputy Karu Jayasuriya are in contemplative moods while General Secretary Tissa Attanayake covers up his face  at the function organized by the Platform for Freedom to commemorate the third death anniversary of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga today. Mr. Jayasuriya unsuccessfully contested for the leadership of the party with Mr. Wickremesinghe recently.  Pix by Pradeep K. P

Home for stray dogs by end of 2012

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena at a press conference today, said that the government will register and find a home for stray dogs in the country by the end of the year. Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu is also seen in then picture. Pix by Nisal Baduge