Congratulations…

Kumar Sangakkara is carried around the field after winning the World T20, India v Sri Lanka, final, World T20, Mirpur, April 6, 2014.Highlights AFP

Dream of flying

About 100 school children including 20 from Kilinochchi and Jaffna, who lost their parents during the war, realised their cherished dream of flying on an airliner last Friday. Their dreams come true when the SriLankan Airlines took the children on a fun flight over the skies of Sri Lanka last Friday. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Naval exercise in Trinco...

The first ever biggest naval exercise of the Sri Lanka Navy code-named TRINEX concluded successfully on Friday. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage took the salute during the steam past held on the final phase of the exercise held in the seas of Trincomalee, while onboard the Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel Samudura. (Courtesy SL Navy)

PC ministers and Chief Ministers appointed

Chief Ministers and Ministers for the Western and Southern Provincial Councils were sworn in by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential secretariat today. Pix by Presidential media

Luxury cruise ship at Hambantota Port

A luxury cruise ship carrying 800 tourists arrived at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa international harbour today. On their arrival they were welcomed by Sri Lanka’s traditional dancers. Pix by Sanath Gamage

Samsung launches new smart phone

Samsung unveiled its new flagship Galaxy S5 smart-phone armed with a fingerprint scanner and a built-in heart rate sensor to defend its place as the world's industry leader, at the official ceremony held at Hotel Kingsbury today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

University dream or nightmare!

The students of the Sri Jayawardenapura University today staged a protest march urging the authorities to release 14 University Arts Faculty students who were arrested on charges of assaulting a security officer and damaging a security post in the University on February 24.  Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Naval training exercise in Trinco

The Trincomalee Naval Exercise (TRINEX) began on April 1 with the objective of enhancing professionalism of the SLN fleet and provide training exposure to the officers under training at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA). (Navy)

Disaster waiting to happen…

This picture was taken by an amateur photographer in Panadura this morning, where school children are compelled to sit in makeshift seats leaning on the rear windscreen of a school van.

Vets successfully remove cyst from cobra

Veterinary physicians attached to the Kuliyapitiya Veterinary office successfully removed a cyst from the head of a cobra on Wednesday, an official said.

Video: Rosewood racket busted

The Customs seized 420 metric tonnes of rosewood valued at Rs.1 billion in 28 containers at the Grayline II terminal. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Dawoodi Bohra head visits Sri Lanka

The Spiritual Head of the lnternational Dawoodi Bohra Community His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin arrived in Colombo on Monday evening for a short visit in the island.Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

IUSF demo outside UGC

Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) today staged a protest opposite the University Grant Commission (UGC) over several demands including the reduction of the period of the degree programme from four to three years. Pix by Samantha Perera

Beware – you smokers!!!

The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) marked the April Fools’ Day with its annual poster campaign sending birthday greetings to the members of the public who are still into smoking. While the posters sent a strong message across the country they also made a fascinating backdrop when placed alongside with other posters. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Magical Herath destroys Kiwis

Sri Lanka bowler Rangana Herath celebrates the  wicket of New Zealand batsman Trent Boult with captain Lasith Malinga and teammates during the ICC World Twenty20 tournament cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday. AFP

Full list of preferential votes

Video: Dress code

A protest against the move to change the students’ uniform of Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya in Rajagiriya was held today near the school by several parents of the students.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Anarkali could not make it

Anarkali Akarasha received only 8,843 preferential votes and ended up in the 18th place in the list of 20 candidates. She contested the election on the UPFA ticket from the Matara district, but could not get elected. However, she was elected to office from the Galle district in 2009 as a UPFA member.

JVP: President’s power plan dismantled

JVP leaders answering questions by journalists at a press conference at the party head office in Colombo today said that the election results had dismantled the President’s power map planned for the next six years.  Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: PC election begins

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen casting his vote at the Medamulana D.A. Rajapaksa Maha Vidyalaya this morning. The Elections to the Western and Southern provinces began today to elect 159 members to the two provinces. UPDATED

It’s crunch time

Ballot boxes being loaded into buses parked outside Isipathana College to be transported under police protection to the polling booths in the districts. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Video: Magampura Harbour

The Magampura Harbour had come alive with the arrival of a large consignment of vehicles. Pictured here some of the vehicles that have been unloaded from the ship. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Drought takes its toll on Mahaweli

Mahaweli Ganga which is the longest river in Sri Lanka has been severely affected by the drought prevailing in some parts of the country. The river bottom is clearly seen near the Gannoruwa Bridge. Pix by J.A.L. Jayasinghe

MH 370 memorial in SL

A religious ceremony organized by Sri Lankan students studied in China was held last evening at Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya in memorial of passengers on missing Malaysian flight MH370. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

US resolution adopted

The US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the 25th session of the UNHRC in Geneva was adopted short while ago with 23 countries voting for, 12 against and 12 abstained.

Video: Fake notes

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana holds a genuine Rs. 5,000 note in his right hand and a counterfeit 5,000 rupee note on his left hand today, at a media briefing at the Police Headquarters. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Arts students protest in Fort

Students of the Visual and Performing Arts University today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway station urging the authorities not reduce the duration of the degree course from four years to three. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

An ordeal that continues

The Ministerial Security Division provides security to the girlfriend of murdered British tourist Khuram Shaikh, who appeared  at the Colombo High Court today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: Elephant owners want proper ownership records

A group of elephant owners accompanied by about 25 elephants today staged a demonstration opposite the Wildlife Resources Conservation Ministry at Battaramulla and handed over a memorandum to Minister Vijith Vijeyamuni Soysa. Pix by Nisal Baduge, Siri Mahabellana

"Adistana Pooja"

An "Adistana Pooja" organised by the Federation of National organisations held today at Independence Square to invoke blessings on the president and the people and to bring success at the Geneva UNHRC resolution. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja