Rising from Ashes….

Crowds thronged to BMICH today for Sahasak Nimevum exhibition despite the fire that broke out the previous day. Minister of Technology and Research Patali Champika Ranawaka is seen here in conversation with an inventor who has come up with a unique technology of making string hoppers. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Poof!

Workers are seen here picking up bits and pieces in the building that went up in flame at the BMICH yesterday, which was built to accommodate the CHOGM Media Centre. Pix by Nisal Baduge

BMICH Fire

Pictured here the temporary building which caught fire this morning at the BMICH premises. It was doused by the fire brigade and no injuries were reported. Pix by Gihan Suwaris

Video: Bull and two actors rescued

A bullock cart that was brought to the Wakanda area in Sigiriya for recording a music video fell into a nearby lake today when the bull leapt into the water. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Walk for quality and standards

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and former champion athlete Susanthika Jayasinghe are seen talking to each other during a walk to make people aware about quality and standards. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Freedom for Palestine

Palestinian Ambassador Anwar H. Al Agha is seen signing a poster today in support of the Freedom of Palestine. The signature campaign organised by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) was held at the Maradana Jumma Mosque. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Looking to the future

Eurocars (Pvt) Ltd, the official Porsche importer in Sri Lanka, launched the new Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid today at The Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is the world’s first plug-in hybrid in the luxury class and it is equipped with 416 hp system power. (Pix by Kithsiri de Mel)

Moratuwa carpenters protest

Carpenters of Moratuwa staged a protest at Kurusa junction on the Galle Road today against a budget proposal to remove furniture transport permit.  Pix by Siri Mahabellana

Let the games begin…

Roads in Colombo Fort and Galle Face are seen barricaded with sand bags in preparation for the Colombo Night Races, which draws thousands of spectators to Colombo. It is held for the second time on December 14 and 15. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Mobile phone ban violates workers’ rights: ACTWU

The All Ceylon Transport Workers Union (ACTWU) today lodged a complaint with the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission against a government circular which prohibits the use of mobile phones by SLTB bus drivers and conductors while on duty. The union said the circular violated the human rights of workers. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Hospital on strike today

Thousands of patients were stranded when several Hospitals came to a standstill after Health officers including nurses and paramedics launched a strike today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

EU Exhibition

A book exhibition and Information Day was held by the EU Delegation at the Public Library in Colombo today. Free material was distributed among the school children and those who were present at the occasion. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Chinese delegation here

A visiting Chinese delegation headed by Human Resources and Social Security Vice Minister Yang Shiqiu met Sri Lankan Senior Minister for Human Resources D.E.W. Gunasekara today at his Ministry. The delegations engaged in a discussion on Human Resource Development. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Video: Gotabaya at Galle Dialogue

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa seen here sharing a light moment with former Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy Admiral Suresh Mehta on the sidelines of the Galle Dialogue Maritime Conference organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

More unauthorised structures removed

Unauthorised structures along the railway line opposite the Castle Lane have been removed by the Colombo Urban Development Authority (UDA) today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

World Science Day 2013

World Science Day 2013 Schools Programme on the theme “Lifestyle and Health” was held today at the BMICH with the participation of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Pix by Samantha Perera

Statue unveiled

The statue of former Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh was unveiled today by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the deputy prime minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh at the Colombo public library. Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader who was the president of the Vietnam from 1945 to 1969. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

War heroes remembered

The Wanni Security Forces Headquarters held its 15th commemoration ceremony on Saturday with the participation of Wanni Commander Boniface Perera. Special parades, religious activities and alms-giving were held.

Powerboat and Jet Ski racing

The Powerboat and Jet Ski events oraganised by the Lanka Powerboat Association was were worked out on the Beira Lake on Saturday and Sunday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Almsgiving to mark President’s birthday

An almsgiving was held today at Ruwanwaliseya in Anuradhapura for 1000 kiri ammas to mark the birthday and assumption of duties by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pix by Presidential Media Unit

Video: Sathwa Mithra concerned over detained dogs

Representatives of the Sri Lanka Sathwa Mithra Organization today visited the Dematagoda dog pound to ensure the safety of the dogs captured and detained before the CHOGM. It was earlier announced that the animals would be released today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

No to international inquiry

Several Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim citizens gathered in Colombo near the Dewatagaha Mosque today after  prayers and staged a protest against British Prime Minister David Cameron’s call for an international inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

‘Sathwa Mithuru’ visits Dematagoda dog pound

The Sri Lanka Sathwa Mithuru Organisation visited the Dematagoda dog pound today to check on dogs that captured in parallel to the CHOGM. It was earlier announced that animals would be freed today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Protest against Cameron’s comments

A protest was held at the Lipton Circus against the actions and statements made by British Prime Minister David Cameron while he was in the island to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Container carrying red sandalwood

The 20-foot container containing four metric tonnes of red sandalwood was seized by Customs today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

UNP discuss budget

UNP MPs are seen discussing the budget over a cup of tea with Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe at his office in the parliamentary complex. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Tea party after budget

Parliamentarians attended the traditional tea party, which is held after the budget speech. The president is seen talking to one of the guests. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Rs.43mn worth illicit cigarettes seized

Illicit cigarettes valued at Rs. 43 million were seized by the Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) at the Orugodawatte warehouse today. This is the largest stock of illicit fags to be detected in the country. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

President all set for Budget 2014

An upbeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen making his way to the parliament chamber to present the 2014 Budget. Pix by pradeep Pathirana

Sadaham Sewana senior citizens workshop

The Rajagiriya Sadaham Sewana International Buddhist Centre and the Human Rights Foundation today organised its annual senior citizens’ workshop, which includes several aesthetic activities. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel