Rare sight

A crocodile was found in the swimming pool of a tourist hotel at Ahangama in Kathaluwa yesterday. The hotel belongs to UNP Western Provincial Councillor Maithri Gunaratne. The crocodile was later reported to have got out of the pool and dashed into the nearby sea. Pix by Ravindu Diyagahage & D.G. Sugathapala

MR in Jerusalem

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa who are on a tour to Israel, visited religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem today. The historic Old City is home to a number of sites sacred for the Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths. Pix by Presidents’ media

Bowled by a maiden

World Tennis Number 1 Serena Williams of the US and Muthiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka talk after playing cricket on the rooftop of a city hotel during a media event for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 9, 2014. AFP

Video: Rapp- ‘wrapped’

The Federation of National Organisations (FNO) today staged a protest walk from Colpetty junction to the US Embassy over the arrival of Stephen J. Rapp, the US Ambassador-at-Large on a fact finding mission in Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike remembered

A ceremony to commemorate the 115th birth anniversary of Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was held today by his statue on Galle face. Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and several other politicians participated in the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Tensions end after PM tender’s apology

The Bhikkhus of Sinhala Ravaya today held a protest in front of Prime Minister’s Office demanding that Premier D. M. Jayaratne apologies to the Maha Sangha for making derogatory remarks on them. The protest ended as the Prime Minister tendered a written apology. Pix by Samantha Perera ???

Betrayed parents protest before Education Ministry

Parents of students deprived of the chance to enter popular schools despite their high performances at the 2013 Grade five scholarship examination staged a protest before the Education Ministry today urging the authorities to undo the alleged injustice done to their children. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Five years on!

Family members of the slain Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickerematunge participate in a candle-light memorial in front of a portrait of him at his grave in Colombo today, held to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

John playing the ‘oppositions’ role

President Mahinda Rajapaksa introduces the Sri Lankan delegation to Palestinian President Dr. Mahmoud Abbas. Pix by Presidents’ Media

Ranil examines newspaper article

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen looking at a news paper article shown by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera at a discussion on casinos held at the Kalutara Dharmawijeya Piriwena today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Informative walk by students

National Child Protection Authority yesterday organised an informative walk from Independence Square to Nawa Rangahala at the Royal College premises. Students from several schools in Colombo participated in the walk. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Over the rainbow so high

Ten acres of Marijuana plantation was detected during a special raid carried out last night at Lunugamwehera yesterday. The cultivation was destroyed by wildlife officials who conducted the raid. Pix Rukman Ratnayake

Ranil calls for Arab spring to oust govt.

Opposition Leader and UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for Arab Spring in Sri Lanka this year to overthrow the government. Speaking during the UNP Bala Mandala meeting in Katubedda, Mr. Wickremesinghe called for a joint effort of all political forces in the opposition to join hands to change the government. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Large stock of expired sugar confiscated

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today confiscated a stock of 100,000 kgs of expired sugar valued at Rs 1 billion during a raid carried out at a warehouse in Modera today, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Affairs said.

Blessings

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seen engaging in religious observances under the auspices of Ven. Dauldena Gnanissara Thera in the newly built Dharmashala at the Colombo National Hospital “Pathum Bodhiya’ today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Namal at Bogambara

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa met the 33 Bogambara Prison inmates who were on a hunger strike. Pix by J.A.L. Jayasinghe

MR meets the King of Jordan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and King Abdulla of Jordan held discussions on a number of topics relevant to both countries, including cooperation in defense-related activities and progress of the Joint Committee at the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman yesterday. Pix by President’s Media

Work in progress at Sri Pada Temple

Picture shows work in progress at the Sri Pada Temple premises where the Dolosmahe Pahana is being replaced. Pix by Gamini Bandara

Fire…

A major fire broke out at a warehouse in Koswatta, Battaramulla near the Laugfs filling station today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

PM must apologise to the Sangha:BBS

Monks of the Bodu Bala Sena Organisation met Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence ‘Visumpaya’ in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A leopard's fate

A Leopard that remained entangled in a trap for three days died in Balangoda from dehydration and starvation. The attempt by the veterinary surgeons to save the animal proved futile. The leopard was captured on film snarling at onlookers. Pix by Prince Ratnayake

New 'Dolosmahe Pahana' for Sri Pada

An Air force helicopter is seen airlifting the new 'Dolosmahe Pahana' to the Sri Pada Temple premises. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Video: Octane 92 replaces 90

Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa pumps the new variety of petrol to a motor car at the Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha CEYPETCO filling station today to mark the arrival of Octane 92 in the local fuel market.  Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Inauspicious beginning

The New Year’s Eve party at the Colombo Hilton resulted in many of the revelers having to be admitted to hospital when the platform they were standing on had collapsed.

Video:Blessings for the New Year

Devotees are seen here at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo invoking blessings for the New Year. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana & Nisal Baduge

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Getting ready for New Year

People at Kirulapone are seen today buying pots to boil milk, in preparation for the New Year. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Rewards for commitment and creativity

United National Party (UNP) Colombo District MP Rosy Senanayake today participated in a ceremony held at the Public Library, where certificates were awarded to women who successfully completed a dress-making course conducted by Nanda Athukorala. Pix by Samantha Perera

Health is wealth

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the website www.healthysrilanka.lk and declared open the ‘Sethsuwa Medura’ organic food outlet at the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya premises in Colombo  this morning. The President appears to be engrossed by the fragrance of a mandarin at the food outlet opened to promote organic food among the people. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: We want our burial grounds

Maligwatte residents are seen shouting slogans during a protest over the alleged encroachment of the Maligawatte Muslim Burial Grounds by a private company. The protesters wanted the issue resolved within one week. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana