Yanni ready to rock Colombo

3Globally acclaimed Greek pianist, keyboardist, composer and music producer Yiannis Chryssomallis – better known as YANNI, addressed the media at the Colombo Hilton,   hours prior to his live concert in Sri Lanka this evening at the Colombo Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Recalling the ordeal

Two police officers recording a statement of UNP MP Ajith Mannapperuma who was among the four Parliamentarians subjected to an attack in Hambantota during an observation tour to the Mattala International Airport and the port last week. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

The ride that ended in tears

The ill-fated Land Master tractor which claimed the lives of ten people who were on their way to visit their relatives for the New Year. It fell into an irrigation canal in Aralaganwila, Polonnaruwa this afternoon. Pix by K.G. Karunaratne

Bad weather destroys houses in Mahakachchikodi

Several Houses in Mahakachchikodi, Jaffna were damaged from the severe weather condition prevailed in the area last Thursday.  About 21 houses were severely damaged and six houses were completely destroyed from the heavy rain and gale force winds. Pix by Prasanna Pradeep

Video: Good Friday

Christian devotees commemorate Good Friday today, the day the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified at Calvary. Picture shows devotees of the Mount Carmel Church taking part in a procession in observance of Good Friday in Wattala. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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UNP MPs who visited the Hambantota Port and the Mattala Airport came under attack by group of government supporters when they were coming out of the harbour today.Picture shows Hambantota Mayor Eraj Ravindra Fernando brandishing a pistol, giving chase to the bus carrying the MPs.Pix by Shantha Ratnayeka and Sanath Gamage

Glad to go home

Hundreds of people were seen at the Colombo Fort Railway Station and Bus terminus waiting for trains and buses heading after the end of New Year celebrations.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: For a blessed year

The State Oil Anointing Ceremony was held today at the Kossinna Rajamaha Viharaya at an auspicious time. Thousands of people were seen gathered at the temple to take part in the event. Pix by Janaka Galappaththi, Pradeep Pathirana

Fun at Galle Face

Despite a warning that bathing in the sea is dangerous and to be careful, a large number of people were seen bathing in the sea off Galle Face Green in keeping with the New Year spirit.  Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

'Blood moon'

The moon is seen as it begins a total lunar eclipse that will turn the moon red over Buenos Aires April 15, 2014. The lunar eclipse on Tuesday will unfold over three hours when the moon begins moving into Earth's shadow. REUTERS

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year...

Celebrating 'Avurudu'

A Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival was held at the Ranweli Hotel, Waikkala yesterday. Picture shows tourists taking part in traditional sports during the New Year celebrations. Pix by Jude Samantha

Balapitiyia PS dispute over contract system

A tense atmosphere prevailed during a monthly meeting of the Balapitiya PS last morning (10) due to an augment between the Chairman and the Vice Chairman over a proposal to do away with the contract system and to implement projects by employing laborers. Pix by Hemantha De Silva

Video: Operation successful…

Soldiers are seen after the search operation at Nedunkerni in Vavuniya, where three LTTE operatives were shot dead. Pix by Romesh Madushanka-Wanni

A shot at the pot

A blind folded army soldier is seen smashing a pot of water as part of the traditional National New Year celebrations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Last tribute

The funeral of the Ven. Kalutara Dhammananda Thera of the Ampara Buddangala Monastery took place at Ampara H.M. Weerasinghe grounds today. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Video: Disabled war heroes celebrate New Year

A disabled war hero at the RagamaRanviruSevana taking part in the traditional ‘Kana MuttiyaBindeema’ competition today during the New Year celebrations held at the rehabilitation centre. Pix by PradeepPathirana

Video: Helping hand

The two sons of slain Police officer attached to the Anti Corruption Unit of the Matara Police were given educational needs including Rs. 1 million at the Police headquarters today.  Their father and mother were beaten to death in Kamburupitiya, Matara in November last year. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Cricket heroes in Parliament

The Sri Lankan cricket team that won the T20 world cup visited the parliament today. They were warmly welcomed by Parliamentarians of all the political parties. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Keeping alive the spicy food

The Sri Lanka Army’s Food Festival known as Hela Viru Rasa Udanaya will be held in Nuwara Eliya from April 15 to April 22. The food festival is held with the aim of promoting the traditional food of Sri Lanka. Seen here is Central Security Forces Commander Major General Ubaya Medawala briefing the media today about the food festival. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

World champs fly back home

Sri Lanka team which won the ICC World T20 tournament in Bangladesh came back home on Tuesday. How the relaxed cricketers enjoyed their flight from Dhaka to Colombo onboard Mihin Air flight MJ502 was captured by Daily Mirror Sports Editor Channaka de Silva who was returning after reporting the tournament

Allied medicos protest

Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine today staged a protest march from the Health Ministry premises to University Grant Commission (UGC) authorities over several issues including the reduction of the period of the degree programme from four to three years. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR meets the champions

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met the Sri Lankan Cricket team at Temple Trees yesterday evening. Pix by President’s Media & AFP

Video: At BIA...

The Sri Lanka T20 skipper Lasith Malinga and Kumar Sangakkara on their arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). ???

Matara-Colombo Expressway bus service launched

The luxury bus service on the Matara-Colombo Expressway began this morning, 24 days after opening of the Expressway. The bus service, operated jointly by the private sector and the Transport Board will run every 20 minutes. The journey from Matara to Colombo or vice versa will take only one and half hours. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Pakistan’s CJCSC visits SL Army Chief

Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Chairman Rashad Mahmood today visited Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff Jagath Jayasuriya at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Heading home…

This picture was captured and uploaded by Mahela Jayawardane to his twitter account just before the victorious Sri Lanka cricket team boarded the return flight to Sri Lanka at the Dhaka Airport. The flight is scheduled to arrive in the evening

World’s Best – Beyond Boundaries

Meg Lanning, Australian Captain and Lasith Malinga, captain of Sri Lanka pose with the trophies on a rickshaw after winning the 2014 Finals of the ICC Women's and Men's World Twenty20 titles in Bangladesh. (Source: icc-cricket.com)

Video: Prasanna Ranatunga assumes duties

Prasanna Ranatunga assumed duties as the Chief Minister of the Western Province at the Shrawasthi Mandiraya today. He received blessings from the Nadungamuwa Wijaya Maithree Thera upon assuming his duties in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dirukshana

Video: Udaya Gammanpila assumes duties

Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila today assumed duties as the Minister of Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Minor Irrigation, Industry and Environment, Culture and Arts, at the Shrawasthi Mandiraya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana