Lighting up for Vesak

With Vesak not many days away, an electrician is seen fixing bulbs to a Vesak Pandal at Maharagama. The 52-feet tall pandal will be lit with more than 45,000 coloured bulbs.  Pic by Nisal Baduge

Blessings on the country

Invoking blessings on the country, President, Government and all, a record four-digit number of Buddhist monks who assembled at the BMICH premises on yesterday evening chanted the  'Jaya Pirith' and appealed celestial powers to help the country's forward march, dispelling all challenges and setbacks posed to the Nation

Video: Demanding justice

The UNP today staged a protest outside the Hambanthota police station urging the immediate arrest of the Hambantota Mayor Eraj Ravindra Fernando who was behind the attack on UNP MPs who visited the Hambantota Port and the Mattala Airport last month. Pix by Pradeep pathirana

Musaeus Triathlon 2014

The past and present pupils and teachers of Musaeus College, Colombo 7 took to streets this morning with Musaeus Triathlon 2014 that started near Nelum Pokuna. It was culminated with a mini fair held at Bloomfield cricket grounds. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Rivals in Court

Parliamentarian Duminda Silva and Western provincial councilor Hirunika Premachandra are seen leaving the Colombo Magistrate’s court at the conclusion of the case into the killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Blessings before departure

Sri Lankan Cricketers are seen performing religious rituals at the Sri Lanka Cricket Office before leaving for the ODI tour of Ireland and England. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: An act of honour

Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi is seen paying her respects to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the guest of honour at the SLFP’s May Day celebrations that was held at Nelum Pokuna in Colombo. Thousands of people took to the streets in Colombo from across the country to mark the International Workers Day today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.

Colombo deserted

The Colombo City was deserted today because of the May Day holiday and the several road closures to facilitate the workers’ rallies organized by political parties and other organisations. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

21st death anniversary of R. Premadasa

The 21st death anniversary of the late president Ranasinghe Premadasa was commemorated today at his statue at Keselwatta. Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa and his family members participated at the event. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

May Day rallies 2014

Cost of labour

A labourer pulls a cart laden with sacks of vegetable at the main market in Colombo today on the eve of International Labour Day. Trade unions are promising to turn the May Day rallies into protests against the country’s high cost of living. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Wes Mangalyaya in Welikada

A Kandyan dancing ceremony (Wes Mangalyaya) was held today by 26 imamates of the Welikada Prison for the 18th time at the prison premises. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

UL flying high

National carrier SriLankan Airlines joined the global Oneworld Alliance today, becoming the 15th member of the group which includes some of the top names in the passenger airline industry today.  Pix by Samantha Perera

Train tragedy

The Palai bound Intercity Express train from Colombo collided with the Matara bound Rajarata Regina express train which had been halted on the main platform at the Potuhera railway station this morning. The injured were admitted to the Kurunegala and Polgahawela hospitals. Pix by Pushpakumara Jayaratne and Ishan Madusanka

May Day rehearsal

Despite the heavy showers in Colombo, members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) -- affliated Socialist Students’ Union are seen rehearsing for the party’s May Day rally to be held at the BRC grounds in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘Buddha Bar’ in Italy

The name board of the newly opened Bar located at Sala Baganza in Parma, Italy. Sri Lankans in Italy urged the Sri Lankan Embassy to take immediate action to remove the name of the ‘Buddha’ from the name board

‘Moods Sri Lanka 2014’

The ‘Moods Sri Lanka 2014’ bridal show was held at the Line Rose Hotel in Kalagedihena, Nittambuwa on Sunday organised by two popular beauticians Samantha Gunasekera together with dress designer and beautician, Jonny Gunasekera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Police unit established on religious issues

A Police Special Investigation Unit was established today at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs to deal with complaints related to Religious issues on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Motor and Transport Exhibition 2014

A wide variety of vehicles ranging from the antique cars and busses to the modern electrical vehicles are on display at the Motor and Transport Exhibition 2014. The exhibition held at BMICH from April 25 to 27 has stalls from leading vehicle manufacturers such as BMW, Jaguar, and Benz. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Building bridges of friendship

In a bid to build bridges of friendship between the North and South, the Micro scholarship programme (Access) granted by the US Embassy of Sri Lanka has chosen 50 students from Mullaitivu and Beruwala areas to participate in a three-day interactive programme in Colombo. Picture shows students participating in an interactive motivational basketball event at the Thimbirigasyaya Henry Pedris Grounds this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Isipathana beat Trinity in crunch game

Isipathana College beat Trinity College in a crucial first round game of the Singer Under 20 Schools league, by 21 points to 17, at Longdon Place today. Seen below are pictures of the action. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Saudi dates to Lanka

The government of Saudi Arabia handed over 200 metric tonnes of dates to the Sri Lankan government today. Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Abdulaziz Al Jammaz, and First Secretary Mahamoud

Protest over salary anomalies

The Joint Trade Unions’ Committee held a protest outside the Colombo National Hospital over several of their concern one of which was the non payment of salary arrears to Health service employees belonging to 27 grades including the junior staff. Pix by Nisal Baduge

First Bay Class Patrol Vessel arrives

The first Bay Class Patrol Vessel arrived in Sri Lanka today.The vessel was gifted by Australia to the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance maritime security and combat human smuggling. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Saying no to Casinos

A massive protest over the setting up of casinos was held at D.R. Wijeyawardene Mawatha. The protest rally was organised by the United National Party (UNP), religious leaders and civil society groups this morning. The Casino Bill is being presented to the parliament today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Living there for a long time

Minister Rishad Badiutheen organised a media tour yesterday to brief the media about the charge that Muslim colonies were created in the Wilpattu Forest reserve. The Minister said that the Muslim families alleged to be resettled in the controversial region had been living there for long time. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: BBS at Rishad’s office

A tense situation prevailed when members of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) surrounded Minister Rishad Badiutheen’s Ministry building in Kollupitiya this morning claiming that Ven. Watareka Vijitha Thera was hiding there. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Playing with paper rockets

During the inaugural session of the newly elected Western Provincial Council on Tuesday, two opposition members voted with the Government to elect UPFA member Sunil Wijeratne as Council Chairman. WPC member Ananda Harishchandra is seen shooting paper rockets at the opposition while the Council was in session. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???

Avurudu at Polhena Beach

The Polhena Beach, Matara was filled with tourists those enjoying National New Year holidays. Here seen local and foreign tourists having a leisure time at the beach. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Video: Railways Trade Union fast against termination of employees

Members of the Railway Trade Union, affiliated to the SLFP initiated a fast unto death protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today against the alleged termination of railway employees by the department. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana