Video: Sinhala Ravaya protest

Monks leading the protest march organized by the Sinhala Ravaya against the slaughter of cattle, walk behind a large placard. The protest march, which began at the Lunawa Temple Dematagoda ended next to the Fort Railway Station. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: CISM Day Run 2014

Sri Lanka’s third joint tri-service Marathon Run, organized under the auspices of Brussels-based International Military Sports Council (Conseil International du Sport Militaire), more widely known as ‘CISM Day Run,’ commenced early this morning near the Colombo Light House Galley. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Gangarama Navam Perahara

President Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the first day of the Gangarama Navam Perahara yesterday, along with several dignitaries. Seen here are President Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera of the Gangarama Temple garlanding the relic casket on top of the tusker. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Bath for Perahera elephant

An Elephant being bathedahead of the annual Nawam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.The Perahera will be held with traditional performances today and tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Religious observances at Devram Vehera

Devotees are seen engaging in religious observances at Devram Vehera temple in Pannipitiya today to mark the Navam Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Election Commissioner at SLHRC

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is seen coming out of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) today where he met SLHRC Chairman Prathiba Mahanamahewa to discuss about holding a free and fair election. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Piece of advice

JHU leader Ven Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera making a point with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the launch of the JHU provincial polls campaign with the participation of its Colombo district candidates, ex-provincial councillor Minister Udaya Gammanpila and JHU spokesman Nishantha Warnasinghe. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Does mode of transport matter?

Eksath Janatha Peramuna Leader and its General Secretary Sirimasiri Hapuarachchi who is contesting the Western Provincial Council Election from the UNP, arrives in his trishaw for the meeting held at the Election Secretariat this morning Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Primary protest

Parents and Primary students of Gothatuwa Maha Vidyalaya in Mulleriyawa staged a protest near the school today against the decision taken by the Educational Authorities to terminate the Primary section of the school. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

A laughing matter

SLFP General Secretary of the SLFP, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena seen in a jovial mood at today’s media briefing at the SLFP head office at T.B. Jayah Mawatha. Ministers Nimal Siriripala De Silva and John Seneviratne were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Employees of Department of Pensions protest

A protest was launched in front of the Department of Pensions by its employees yesterday urging the department to remove the Director General from his post, among several other demanding. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Caring for the helpless

Amid numerous financial and other difficulties, M.K. Somaratne and his wife Alan Kotlin are seen at their home at Ambagamuwa in Ginigathhena taking care of three grown-up sons, who are disabled. They stand out as an example of selfless service in today’s comercialised society.  Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Way to go...

Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva today made an inspection tour of the damaged gutter system in the Peliyagoda Urban Council area. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Less smoke…

The Motor Traffic Department and the Colombo Police Traffic Division launched a sticker and a poster campaign and an awareness programme in front of the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall this morning to educate the public on how to prevent air pollution by vehicles. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel.

Fair standards for all…

The students of the Law College with pieces of black cloth across their mouths symbolising silenced justice, protested against alleged unfair practices and exam irregularities in the Law College.  The protest was carried out outside the Law College campus in Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Ladies’ talks

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Bollywood songstress Asha Bhosle seen sharing a light moment at the sixth international women’s conference organised by the Art of Living (AoL) in Bangalore, India. Pix courtesy Presidential Media

Flowery greeting

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen sprinkling flowers on the Sri Pada Summit yesterday soon after the unvailing of the Dolos Mahe Pahana. Pix courtesy presidential media

A good look at the sunrise

The new Dolosmahe Pahana and the bell tower installed on Sri Pada were inaugurated today by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapksa amid religious rituals. Mr. Rajapaksa is seen viewing the sunrise at Sri Pada. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

SLAF deploys Bell 412 to douse forest fire

The Sri Lankan Air force (SLAF) has deployed a Bell 412 Helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket to douse the forest fire which had destroyed over thirty acres of forest in the Nallathanniya forest area in Sri Pada today. Pix by SLAF Media

Video: Nominations still continuing

Political parties contesting the elections to the Western Provincial Council submitted their nominations at the District Secretariat in Narahenpita today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Emotional moment for Hirunika

Hirunika Premachandra, who is contesting the elections to the Western Provincial Council (WPC) from the Colombo District, is seen in her residence in Colombo before she set out on her election campaign. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Colombo Fashion Week Day 3

HSBC Colombo Fashion Week was held today for the third day at the Hilton Hotel. The Bright Sparks Project initiated by CFW is designed to identify potential in local campuses. Bright Sparks is a result of quarterly open days at various fashion schools to search for new talent. Pix by Manoj Rathnayake and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Doctors gather at SC for AMP decision

Medical doctors around the country gathered to the premises of the Supreme Court today where the Court directed to expedite the three year course for the aggrieved Assistant Medical Practitioners (AMPs) who sought medical registration with the Sri Lankan Medical Council (SLMC). Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Nominations handed over

Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Susil Premajayantha and United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidate at Western Provincial Council Election Udaya Gammanpila were seen coming out of the Colombo District Secretariat in Narahenpita today after handing over the UPFA nominations for the PC Elections. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

11,000 Test runs

Kumar Sangakkara achieved his 11,000 Test runs milestone during the second day of the final Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong today.(AFP)

HSBC Colombo Fashion Week Day 2

HSBC Colombo Fashion Week was held today for the second day at the Hilton Hotel. The Bright Sparks Project initiated by CFW is designed to identify potential in local campuses. Bright Sparks is a result of quarterly open days at various fashion schools to search for new talent. Pix by Manoj Rathnayake and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Prisoners released on Independence Day

Some 1,233 prisoners were released islandwide today marking the 66th Independence celebrations. A female prisoner is seen greeting the Pisons and Rehabilitations Minister Chandrasiri Gajadira at the Welikada Prison. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: 66th Independence Day celebrated

Sri Lanka today celebrated its 66th Independence Day in Kegalle. President is seen greeting the people gathered to witness the celebrations.  Pix by Samantha Perera

Father of nation remembered

UNP stalwarts paid tribute today to the father of nation and UNP founder leader the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake who was instrumental in gaining independence to the country in 1948. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

66th Independence Day