SL to take to on South African

South African cricket team captain AB de Villiers and Sri Lankan cricket team captain Angelo Mathews shake hands as they pose for photographs in Colombo today. South Africa and Sri Lanka will play five ODIs and three Twenty20s in Sri Lanka between July 20 and August 6. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Measure for measure

The Government Surveyors’ Association today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to resolve their issues including non-payment of allowances. Pix by Samantha Perera

Donating blood

A blood donation campaign was held at the Sports Complex of Welikada prison to mark the Prisons Day and the 108 anniversary of the Prisons Department. Pix by Samantha Perera

Dragging everyone down ‘a fable’ ?

MP Arundika Fernando is pictured here entering the Homagama Magistrates court to give evidence in the case of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Srimath R.G. Senanayake Mawatha declared open

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today declared open the Srimath R.G. Senanayake Mawatha (Former Gregory’s Road) together with the Mayor of Colombo A.J.M. Muzammil, Deputy Mayor of Colombo U.L. Titus Perera and the members of the Colombo Municipal Council. ???Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Fruits aplenty

Vendors are seen selling Rambutan, Duriyan and Mangosteen fruits on some of Colombo’s pavements.Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mother’s undying love

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces tonight awarded Gallantry Medals to 147 Army war heroes, 43 sailors and 26 airmen, who took part in the Humanitarian Operations in the North and East, at a ceremony held at Temple Trees. Picture shows, a mother of a war hero breaking down as she receives the Weera Wickrama Vibhushana Medal on behalf of her late son. Pix by Presidential Media

Ananda bags Prime Minister’s Trophy

Ananda College rugby team seen here receiving the Milo Prime Minister’s Trophy from chief guest Nestle Lanka Activation and Sponsorship Manager Sajeewa Wickramasinghe. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Basil inspects Katunayake Expressway

Arrangements are being made to open next September, the 26 kilometre-long Katunayake - Kelaniya Expressway. The Ports and Highways Ministry commenced the construction of the express way in 2008 under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Nostalgia of an ‘arbitrary take over’?

UNP Gampaha District MP Karu Jayasuriya and Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga are seen in conversation with the French Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Christine Robichon, at a reception which was held yesterday to mark the National Day of France. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Double blue all the way

Wesley College emerged champions of the Milo schools knockout trophy beating Trinity College Kandy 34-21. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Carlton Super 7’s concert

Carlton Super 7’s opening concert was held at the CR & FC grounds last night. Hip-hop and RnB artists Taio Cruz, Sean Kingston and Big Reeno performed at the concert. Pix by Samantha Perera

‘Ayurveda Expo 2013’

Minister Basil Rajapaksa was seen petting a snake at ‘Ayurveda Expo 2013’-the International Indigenous Healthcare Exhibition which started at the BMICH today. The exhibition was organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and will end on July 14. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Taio Cruz also arrives

Hip-hop and RnB artist Taio Cruz arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) a short while ago for the Carlton Super 7s opening concert. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Gracing music stars

Hip-hop and RnB artistes Sean Kingston and Big Reeno who arrived in Sri Lanka this morning for the Carlton Super 7s opening concert, visited the ODEL shopping complex, Colombo to meet their fans. Pictured here the fans are taking autographs. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

The University mess

The Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) held a press conference outside the Colombo University Premises denouncing the recent incidents involving the arrest of student activists, the suicide of a student and a gamut of other issues. They said the government is not addressing the root of the problem in the education sector and instead is deviating from the real issues. (Pix by Samantha Perera)

Bus strike called off

Most parts of the country experienced a shortage of buses due to the island wide bus strike launched from last midnight. The bus strike had been called off due to threats, the private bus owners association President said. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Uni student on streets demanding Sanjeewa's release

A protest was held today in front of the Kelaniya University demanding the immediate release of the IUSF convener Sanjeewa Bandara. Pix by Lal S Kumara

Demo calling for release of Lankan children in Norway

A demonstration was held near the parliament roundabout today urging the authorities to take steps to release the children who have been forcibly detained in children’s homes in Norway. The demonstrationwas held by thechildren’s relatives in Jaffna. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Protest over attacks on Buddhist sites in India

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and Ravana Balaya (RB) groups today staged protest marches today near the Indian High Commission urging the Indian authorities to protect Buddhism, Buddhists and Buddhist Cultural Heritage sites in India. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Video: Media briefing by Mahabodhi Society president

Mahabodhi Society president and Sanga Nayaka of Japan the Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera speaking at a media briefing in Colombo where he said the attack on Mahabodhi temple in Bihar was a terrorist attack. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Trinity edge thriller

Trinity College edged out St. Peter’s College in a thrilling Milo President’s Trophy semi-final encounter at the Royal College Sports Complex, scoring a late try to win 40 points to 37. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: JHU submits assets and liabilities

Statement of Assets and liabilities of the Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, the Ven.Athuraliye Rathana Thera, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila were handed over to the Elections Commissioner at the Elections Secretariat. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???

Video: Vaas in Courts

DIG Vass Gunawardena who was arrested over the murder of a businessman has been further remanded till July 19 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today. Pix by Samantha Perera

Ravana Balaya protests

A protest by Ravana Balaya was held today outside the Department of Buddhist Affairs demanding the removal of a mosque in Grandpass which the movement alleged was an illegal construction. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Wesley defeat league champions

Wesley College defeated schools league champions Dharmaraja College 22 points to 13 in the Milo Under 20 President’s Trophy semi-final match played at the Royal Sports Complex today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Deserted

Sri Lanka’s busiest railway station, the Colombo Fort Railway Station was deserted after railway operations came to a standstill following a strike by the railway unions calling on the government to attend to the existing salary anomalies. Rail transport Islandwide came to a standstill following the strike. Nearly 1.5 million commuters use the public railways on a daily basis. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Video: Remanded for nightclub assault

Three suspects including two ‘bouncers’ employed by the ‘Kama Colombo’ nightclub were arrested today and remanded until July 11 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate for allegedly brutally assaulting a youth in and outside the premises of the club. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel ???

Video: IUSF Convener arrested

The convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Sanjeewa Bandara was arrested today for violating bail conditions and was remanded. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: Train strike: thousands stranded

Thousands of commuters were stranded because of a countrywide 48-hour strike launched by the Railways Professional Trade Union Alliance (RPTUA) from last midnight over salary anomalies. ???(Pix by Kithsiri De Mel)