Derailed...

Two compartments of a train heading to Colombo from Matara had derailed near the Bambalapitiya railway station yesterday. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel and H.M Dharmapala

Video: UNP visits Nagoda Hospital

UNP parliamentarians Ajith P. Perera, Ruwan Wijewardane, Eran Wickramaratne and R. Yogarajan who visited the Nagoda Hospital are seen checking the hospital kitchen. This was their fourth fact-finding mission. They assured Hospital authorities that they would raise the issues they identified in parliament and outside. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

World Cup Trophy in SL

The Cricket World Cup Trophy was brought to Sri Lanka this morning as the first destination in its world tour. Captain Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanna are seen with the trophy at the BIA. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Video: Black July…

A young school boy is seen here placing his signature on a large banner in front of Fort Railway Station today, which was used as a Public Petition against recent ethnic violence in Southern Sri Lanka. The campaign reminding about violence against minority Tamils in July 1983.  Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Passing out ceremony

A passing out ceremony was held today for thirty Tamil female soldiers who were recruited to the Sri Lankan army force. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Video: New Navy chief assumes duties

Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera assumed duties as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo this morning. Pix by Samantha Perera

MR in Aluthgama

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today visited the Aluthgama and Beruwala areas and inspected the ongoing rebuilding of houses and buildings that were dmaged due to recent violence. (President's Media).

Isipathana open knockouts with win

The Milo President’s trophy knockout rugby tournament kicked off today at the Royal college Sports Complex, with league champions Isipathana College routing Thurstan College 55 points to 5. Seen here is some action from the game.

Girl Guides raise their voices against child abuse

The Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association will complete 100 years in 2017. A child safety week was organized in line with the centenary programmes launched by the association. Here, a girl guide is holding a placard against child abuse at the Girl Guides Association Headquarters. - Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Workshop for Ministers

A workshop for Ministers was held today under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beruwala where future national programmes to be initiated by the government were discussed extensively. Pix Courtesy President’s Media

Paratroopers passing out parade

As many as 79 paratroopers who completed their training at the Sri Lanka Air Force Parashoot Training School held their passing out parade at the Ampara Uhana Air Force base today. Pix Wasantha Chandrapala

Video: Grandpass Shooting

Police inspect the scene of the shooting that took place at Andrew Watte in Grandpas this evening. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Opposition visits Aluthgama

Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe together with General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, MPs Kabir Hashim, Ajith P Perera, R Yogarajan, provincial council members and members of local bodies visited Aluthgama today where they met religious leaders including monks and Islamic leaders in the area. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

Crushed to death

A seven-year-old boy had been killed and five others seriously injured in a road accident near the Puttlam Buddhist Centre on the Chilaw-Puttlam Road last morning.

Micro car plant in Hambantota

The Sri Lankan car manufacturer Micro in partnership with China’s Sino Motor Industries, is building its third car plant with the aim of exporting vehicles manufactured by the joint venture which is being built at the Mirrijawila Investment Zone in Hambantota. The foundation stone for the car plant was laid by MP Namal Rajapaksa and Sino Motors Deputy CEO LiuWei. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President arrives in Seychelles

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived in Seychelles this afternoon. Here, they are being welcomed by Seychelles President James Michel at the Seychelles International Airport. Also in the photograph are External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris and Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Seychelles Rajatha Piyatissa.

Released…

The Vice Chancellor and the lecturers of the Rajarata University who had been taken hostage since yesterday by some students were released this morning. The Vice Chancellor is seen leaving the university after being released. Pix by Athula Bandara

Video: United we stand

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in conversation with Ven. Bopitiye Dhammasara Thera and Moulavi Muzammil Cader at a meeting of religious leaders and heads of civil organizations held at the Parliamentary Complex today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Govt. Press TUs protest

A Collective of Trade Unions of the Government Press yesterday staged a protest near the Press in Borella against alleged political appointments, corruption and other issues in the institution. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Meditation Centre for Forces

A foundation stone laying ceremony for a meditation centre for the three forces was held at Kanduboda, Delgoda in Biyagama this morning with the participation of Minister of Technology and Research Patali Champika Ranawaka and Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

MR arrives in Maldives

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim are seen welcoming President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the First Lady at the Male Airport last evening. Pix by Presidential Media

Video: SL beat England in thrilling Test

Sri Lanka players celebrate winning the series after they defeated England in the second cricket test match at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, England yesterday. Reuters

Protest against seed act

The National Movement for Protection of Seed Rights (NMPSR) today staged a protest march from Battaramulla to Ministry of Agriculture to hand over a petition against the proposed seed act. Later they held a ‘satyagraha’ in front of the Ministry. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Close in on victory

Sri Lanka's Dhammika Prasad celebrates after dismissing England's Ian Bell during the second cricket test match at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, England.Reuters

His last hurrah?

Cricketer Mahela Jayawardene is seen chasing a pigeon from the wicket on the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka at Headingley in Leeds, England today. In what could be his last Test innings in England, Jayawardene scored 79 before being caught behind by Matt Prior off the bowling of James Anderson.  AFP

Isipathana emerge unbeaten schools rugby kings

Isipathana emerged unbeaten Singer U20 inter-schools rugby league champions of 2014 when they outclassed Kingswood by a whopping 34 points to 13 in the title deciding rugby encounter played at Longdon Place this evening. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘World Volkswagen Day’

The Volkswagen Beetle Owners Club celebrated the ‘World Volkswagen Day’, today (22). The parade was staged from the Taj Samudra Hotel to the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR at opening of new fuel supply terminal at MRIA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa ceremonially opened the fuel supply terminal at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport today.

Video: Army cadets’ graduation ceremony

A graduation ceremony for some 60 army cadet officers was held today at the Diyathalawa army camp with the participation of Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivad Cabral and Army Commander Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake.Pix by pradeep pathirana.

Gallows

Bogambara Prison was officially handed over to the Government for development today and the event was attended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. President is seen inspecting the gallows during his visit to the prison premises. Picture courtesy President’s Media