“Yaal Devi” on track

The “Yaal Devi” express train to Jaffna is set to operate again after 30 years when the final phase of the reconstruction of rail track from Palai to Jaffna is completed soon. Pix by Wanni Romesh Madushanka

Dinindu at Temple Trees

Dinindu Yasen who was kidnapped and later rescued, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today.Pix by president’s media

Scout Jamboree opens

The Colombo Centenary International Scout Jamboree was declared open on Friday at the Ygro Camp site in Madampe. Pix by Jude Samantha

Shops gutted in fire

Several shops were damaged in a fire which broke out inside a supermarket building in Maharagama this morning.Pix by Nisal baduge

Rescued …

The four-year-old Damindu Yasen Ekanayake who was rescued by the CID is seen with his mother. Damindu was kidnapped on Sunday and rescued by a special Criminal Investigation Department team last evening. Pix by Gayan Amarasekara

Smiles after party office opening

Biyagama UNP organizer, Leadership Council Member and Parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene amidst his supporters at the opening of his Biyagama Party office at Peragashandiya on the New Kandy Road today. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

MEP convention

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa seen in conversation with Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader and Minister Dinesh Gunawardene at the MEP convention today. Courtesy presidential media

The scene of a tragedy

Three people were killed and three others injured in a collision between a boom truck and a van at Polhena in Meegahawatta this morning. Pix by Sudath Pubudu Keerthi

Video: Saluting the alma mater

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera salutes the national flag at a ceremony held to felicitate the new commander at Thurstan College today. Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera is an old boy of Thurstan College Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Health workers in protest march

The Joint Health Trade Unions Collective today staged a protest march from the Colombo National Hospital to the Presidential Secretariat urging the authorities to grant their five demands, Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Video: Ravana Balaya at Buddha Sasana Ministry

  Ven. Ittekande Saddhatissa Thera, the convener of the Ravana Balaya Organisation today handed over a letter to Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardana. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Japanese coastguards cleaning Mt. beach

Crew members of the Japanese coastguard vessel PLH 22 Yashima assist Sri Lankan counterparts as they help clean the beach at Mount Lavinia south of Colombo today. The Japanese vessel called on Colombo for a goodwill and supply mission and is taking part in community work. AFP

Eid Mubarak!

The annual Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers conducted by the Haji Hafeez Eshan Patel Under the auspices of the Memon Association of Sri Lanka was held today at the Galle Face Green in view of the Ramazan Festival. Pix by Samantha Perera

Eid Mubarak

The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lankan today organised a colourful Chand Raat /Ramazan Eid Function at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

JVP leader injured in accident

Janatha Vimukthi Peramua (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s vehicle collided with a tipper coming in the opposite direction when the driver had attempted to overtake the vehicle at Kiriella on the Ratnapura-Panadura main road this morning. He was admitted to the Ratnapura Hospital and later transferred to the national Hospital in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Global Centre opened

The Global Innovation Centre of the IT company, CodeGen International (Pvt.) Limited was declared open by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Trace Expert City in Colombo 10 today. The officials of the UDA and the management of CodeGen and many others were present.Pix by Nisal Baduge

Fourth day of the second Test

Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara plays a shot during the fourth day of the second cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Peace march dispersed by Police

Police dispersed a peace march by the United Socialist Party in Waskaduwa yesterday claiming that they wanted to prevent any unruly incidents as Buddhist monks and other people were against the march.Pix by Rathnasiri Premalal

MR shows the way

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen clearing mud that had collected on the banks of the Mahakanadarawa Tank in Anuradhapura on Thursday, thereby signalling the start of a programme of renovating all the tanks in Anuradhapura.

DM participates in Ifthar ceremony

Deputy Minister Faizer Mustafa is seen in conversation with some police officers as he took part in the Ifthar ceremony organized by the Slave Island Police today. Pix by Samantha Perera

Another train derailment

A Kalutara bound train from Maradana derailed this afternoon at the Mount Lavinia Railway Station bringing the train service on the southern coastal line to a standstill. Two compartments of the derailed train blocked the parallel line as well. Pix by H.M.Dharmapala

Mahela notches up 150

Mahela Jayawardene is seen acknowledging the cheers after he scored 150 runs on the second day of the 2nd Test Match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the SSC cricket grounds today. AFP and Pradeep Dilrukshana

A master class inning

Sri Lanka ended the first day of the second Test against South Africa on 305 for the loss of 5 wickets at the SSC today. Mahela Jayawardene's unbeaten 140 helped Sri Lanka recover from early losses. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Call to abolish Executive Presidency

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka, ex-Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake seen at a meeting convened by the National Movement for Social Justice at the New Town Hall in Colombo today urging that the Executive Presidency be abolished. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Train tragedy for coffin

Three persons traveling in a hearse were injured when an oncoming train crashed into it at a rail road. This is yet another accident in a continuing spree of accidents at unguarded railway crossings. Pix by Lal S. Kumara

Largest Motor Track in SL

The largest Motor Track in Sri Lanka was opened yesterday at the Welisara Navy camp followed by a rally event. The opening ceremony was held with the participation of navy’s Sports Director commodore Nevil Sudarshana. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Uni. students protest

University students today staged a protest in Colombo Fort urging the authorities to revoke the decision of the university administrations to suspend the studentship of 28 undergraduates. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Remembering ‘Black July’

Remembering ‘Black July’, the anti-Tamil riots started on July 23 1983, a peace vigil has been organised by a government institution today in Battaramulla. Following the Black July, the country experienced nearly three decades of war against Tamil militant groups who demanded for a separate state. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

“Minnie's Tropical Splash”

A Tokyo DisneySea cast member (R) sprays a bucketful water towards guests during a special summer attraction called “Minnie's Tropical Splash” at Tokyo DisneySea in Urayasu, suburban Tokyo on July 23, 2014. AFP

Army Commander chats with former commanders

Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake has a word with former army commanders General Rohan Daluwatte, General Srilal Weerasuriya, and Lt. General Gerry de Silva at the Ranaviru apparel awards ceremony held at BMICH today. Pix  By Pradeep Pathirana