Workshop on National Alcohol Policy

A workshop on Alcohol and Tobacco Control will held from July 22 to 24 in collaboration with the Regional Parliamentarians and Civil Society Representatives. The meeting was held at the Hotel Kingsbury this morning. Pix by Samantha Perera

Rare fish caught in fishing net

A rare deep sea fish was found entangled in a fishing net of a boat that went fishing off the Valaichchenai seas today. The fish is four feet long and about 7.5 kilograms in weight and it is to be handed over to the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). Pix by M.M. Anaam

Arrest the predator

A massive protest rallies are being held across the hill country by the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) demanding the arrest of a person who had sexually abused a school girl in Ratnapura. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Large heroin haul seized

A large haul of heroin worth about Rs.700 million found hidden inside moulding machines imported from Karachchi, Pakistan were seized by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Orugodawatta container yard today. Pix by Sanjeewa Niroshan

For a legal interpretation

UNP MP Harin Fernando who is tipped to be the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Uva Provincial Council Election seen outside the Superior Courts Complex in Hulftsdorp today after filing a petition against the change in the number of seats allocated to the two districts of the province. Pix by Samantha Perera

MR meets Portugal PM

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Portugal’s Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho met for discussions at Temple Trees this afternoon. Pix by President's Media

UNP membership drive

UNP Gampaha District MP Ruwan Wijewardenene greets a vegetable vendor at the weekly fair in Makola during a membership drive of the party where a large number of people obtained membership. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

MR flying kites

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen flying kites at the ' Kite Festival’ organised by the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration to coincide with the Social Integration week held at the Galle Face Green yesterday.Pix by President's Media

Video: Convicted!

Former Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana is seen leaving the High Court after being convicted on charges of having murdered British tourist Khuram Sheikh and of having raped his girlfriend. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana & Jayamal Chandrasiri

Malaysian passenger plane shot down

Pictures show flames amongst the wreckages of the malaysian airliner carrying 295 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after it crashed, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. Pro-Russian rebels fighting central Kiev authorities claimed on Thursday. (AFP)

Protest for media freedom

The Committee to Protect the rights of Free Media organisations today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to protect the media as well as civil society. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Pointing fingers at each other

UNP MP Nalin Bandara points his finger at the crowds who were gathered at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery today preventing them from entering the premises while the crowds point their finger at them. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Gulp!

A 13-foot python that had gulped a calf was captured by the villagers at Jambugasmulla, Akmeemana in Galle and was later released to the Hiyare reservoir.  Environmentalists said pythons usually refrain from meals for months after having such big meal. Pix by Sajeewa Wijeweera

Video: Buddhist monks meet Media Minister

Several Buddhist organisations including the National Sangha Council, Bodu Bala Sena and Sihala Ravaya met Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at the Ministry today.  They urged the Ministry to look into media statements and campaigns against Buddhism. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Longest ship at Magampura

The 300-metre long vessel, Eurydice Darrived at the Hambanthota Magampura Harbour for refueling today. It was the longest ship to arrive at this harbor so far. The ship with a depth of 19 metres was supplied with 1,400 metric tonnes of IF-380 fuel. Seven vessels had been refueled at the harbour since the opening of the terminal. Pix by Sanath Gamage

Posh new office for Customs

The newly built Headquarters of Sri Lanka Customs was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Fort today. Pix President’s Media

Winners of Wijeya

The Annual Graduation Ceremony of the Wijeya Graphics was held at the BMICH, Colombo on Saturday. Picture shows Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena awarding a certificate to a student while Parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene looks on. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Independent Arcade declared open by President

The Independent Arcade was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening. The Arcade which is a commercial complex was constructed under the programme of converting Colombo into attractive city by the Urban Development Authority. Pix by Manoj Ratnayeka

Teams ready for vital match

South African captain AB de Villiers and team coach Russel Domingo together with Sri Lankan cricket team captain Angelo Mathews and team coach Marvan Atapattu during a practice session at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota today. AFP PHOTO

Video: Joint efforts to scrap executive presidency

The National Council for a Better Tomorrow headed by parliamentarian the Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera held discussions with the Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the UNP headquarters Sirikotha today with regard to the abolishing of the executive presidency. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kataragama Esala Perahera

The annual Kataragama Esala Perahera was held at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Devale this evening for the 12th day with the participation of Basnayake Nilame, Shashindra Rajapaksa. Perahera will be held till July 12. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Valuable gifts

President Mahinda Rajapakse and Australia's immigration minister Scott Morrison pose for a photograph in Colombo during a ceremony held to commission two Australian-gifted naval patrol boats. They will be deployed for preventing people smuggling operations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest for Consumer Rights

The Alliance for protection of consumer and farmer Rights today staged a protest near the Health Ministry in Colombo urging the authorities to establish a standard for every canteen in Government intuitions and schools. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Scott Morrison in SL

Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning for two day official visit. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Customs briefing

A brief media discussion was held this evening at the Sri Lanka Customs auditorium in view of the opening of its new headquarters on July 14. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Talks on abolishing executive presidency

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera and the National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa today held a discussion at Battaramulla over the abolishing of the executive presidency and the establishment of good governance. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

No water anywhere

Villagers of the Medirigiriya area in Polonnaruwa have to walk long distances in search of water with severe drought drying out water sources. Seen here are some villagers colleting some water from the Pathok Wewa. Pix by K.G. Karunarathne

Video: Gnanasara Thera leaving Court

BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera is seen leaving the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today after the Magistrate warned the monk to desist from insulting lawyers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ven.Vijitha thera at Court

Ven. Watareka Vijitha thera, who was in the remand custody for making a false statement and misleading the police is seen at the Panadura Magistrate Court today. Pix by Siri Mahabellana

South Africa beat Sri Lanka

South African captain AB de Villiers and teammates leave the field after winning the first One Day International cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium today. AFP