Central Kings crowned Carlton champions

Central Kings were crowned champions of the Carlton Super Sevens 2011- doing one better than the first leg in Kandy after they won the tournament. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

War on hooliganism

The Mayor of Colombo who declared war on hooliganism that has infected the Colombo Municipal Council and the society at large speaks at a press conference today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

From courts to prisons

Former Army commander Sarath Fonseka was escorted to the Prisons from Colombo High Court after presenting in court for the HiCorp case. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Preparing to celebrate Eid-al-Adha

A woman prepares traditional sweets for sale on the rooftop of her house, ahead of Eid al-Adha, in the port city of Sidon, southern Lebanon November 3, 2011. Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid-al-Adha, marking the end of the haj, by slaughtering sheep, goats, cows and camels to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God's command. REUTERS

Ferry fire on the Red Sea

Smoke rises from the burning passenger and car ferry Pella at the Red Sea November 3, 2011. Passengers escaped on lifeboats and nobody was killed when a fire broke out on a ferry carrying more than 1,200 people from the Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba to Egypt on Thursday, Egyptian officials said. REUTERS

Sudden oil leakage

A sudden oil leakage from an oil tunnel near the Bloemendhal Area, lying between the Colombo harbour and Kolonnawa this morning was immediately brought to the notice of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation by residents of the area. The oil distributing company said that the leaking pipe was repaired promptly. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Demining equipment from Russia

Four demining machines worth around Rs.302 million was handed by the Russia Federation to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning at the Ministry of Defence. Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Vladimir P. Mikhaylov and Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya were also present at the occasion.Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Duchess of Cambridge visits UNICEF’s Global Supply Centre

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, arrives for a visit of UNICEF's Global Supply Centre in Copenhagen, on November, 2011.  AFP

Remembering All Souls Day

In view of today’s All Souls Day people pay respects to their loved ones who have passed away at the Madampe church. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith also participated in memorial services. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

White Langur found

An unusually white Langur in a herd frequenting the Sigiriya World Heritage area has become the cynosure of visitors. Environmentalists said a distorted gene may have resulted in its colour. However, its ears are unusually rose coloured and its eyes white. The World Conservation Society has found the langurs in the dry zone of Sri Lanka and they belong to an animal species endangered with extinction. Therefore environmentalists have stressed th

Libyan awaits flight for Hajj pilgrimage

A Libyan man checks his papers as he waits to board a plane from Tripoli's Mitiga airport to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca on November, 2011. AFP

Muzammil assumes duties

Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil who assumed duties today is being greeted by UNP Co Sajith Premadasa. Pix by Samantha Perera

‘Freedom Speaks’

A documentary film called ‘Freedom Speaks’ was made by a group of young film-makers, during an entourage made to Mullaithivu, Puthukudiyirippu and Kilinochchi. Seen here is the chief guest, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa sharing a light moment with Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama at the offi

Reports are contradictory: GL

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris speaking at a press conference today said, many of the allegations brought against Sri Lanka, in various reports, were contradicted by the written statements made by then UN Representative in Sri Lanka Neil Buhne. Also present was the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Karunatilaka Amunugama. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

‘Bindunu Putuwata Daathe Saviyak’

The ‘Bindunu Putuwata Daathe Saviyak’ programme, a programme to repair desks and chairs in schools in the Western Province concluded at St. Joseph’s Girls College in Nugegoda this morning. The programme was launched under a concept given by Western Province Minister Udaya Gammanpila. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

A rare snowstorm

A large tree falls on top of a car after an early snowfall in Worcester, Massachusetts October 30, 2011. A rare October snowstorm bore down on the heavily populated Northeast on Saturday into Sunday, with some areas bracing for up to a foot of snow and major power outages. REUTERS

Seven billionth child born in SL

Newborn baby girl Wattalage Muthumani, who was born at the Castel Street Maternity Hospital, is the “seven billionth” in the world. The milestone was marked as part of the U.N.'s seven billion global population projection. The world's population was said to reach seven billion on October 31, 2011, according to projections by the United Nations Population Fund, which says this global milestone presents both an opportunity and a

Not through the back door

Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva entering the Solis Hall where he held a media briefing today to explain matters relating to a proposed move to appoint  a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe his conduct during his tenure as chief Justice. He charged that the independence of the judiciary would be further eroded by this probe. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

AIDEX-2011

A sports festival named AIDEX 2011 for the Jaipur limb users was held at the Henry Pediris Park today. It was organized by the Colombo Friend-in-Need society. Pix By Pradeep Dilruckshana

Cadet officers graduation at Diyatalawa

Newly commissioned 57 officers, who followed the Cadet Officer courses at the Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) accepted their diplomas from the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Kalmunai LG members sworn in

The SLMC members of the Kalmunai Municipal Council were sworn in before their leader Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem today. The SLMC won the council at the last local government election obtaining 11 seats. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Stamp exhibition

An exhibition was held to celebrate the first Perforated Stamp in Sri Lanka which marked 150 years today along with the Philatelic Society celebrating its 33rd year.  The exhibition was held at the Department of Post in Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

One of 7 billion

Newborn babies rest in the Central Obstetrics Hospital in Hanoi October 27, 2011. The United Nation projects the world's population will reach 7 billion on October 31. REUTERS

Donation of medical equipment

Medical equipment worth Rs.42 million was donated to hospitals by Global Action, an NGO, today at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Sinhala Rawaya thanks Aussie govt.

The Sinhala Rawaya organisation founded by a group of Buddhist monks handed over a letter to the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka today, thanking the Australian government for ruling out suggestions by interested separatists groups to take legal action against President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on a visit to Australia to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

MR delivers keynote address at CHOGM

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa waits to deliver his keynote address at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth on October 27, 2011 ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) this week. The CHOGM talks, to be opened by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on October 28, will debate whether the body should adopt a charter of common values, and create the office of commissioner for democracy, rule of law and human right

UBF on party leadership

The president of the UNP led United Bhikku Front (UBF), Ven. Metiyagoda Gunaratana Thera speaks to the media urging the UNP leader to solve the issues about the leadership of the party. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

CMC celebrates Deepavali

After the Local Government election for the Municipal councils, Colombo District Municipal Council Mayor (CMC) A. J. M. Muzammil today celebrated the Deepavali festival at the Colombo CMC. Colombo Municipal Council's Commissioner Badrani Jayawardena also participated this occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Royal visit

Britain's Queen Elizabeth signs the visitors book at the new Royal Children's Hospital as Prince Phillip looks on in Melbourne October 26, 2011. Queen Elizabeth is in Australia for an eleven-day official visit. REUTERS

Today is Deepavali

Deepavali a festival celebrated by Hindus all over the worlds and popularly known as the festival of lights falls today. This festival has a sublime significance, for it symbolises the victory of good forces over evil forces. The picture shows Hindu devotees talking part in religious rituals in light of the Deepavali Festival at the New Kathiresan Kovil in Bambalapitiya. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel