JHU meets FUTA on 13A

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today invited the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) to discuss the 13th Amendment at the Ministry of Science, Technology. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Nilanga is Mrs. Asia International

Nilanga Senanayake (32) was crowned as Mrs. Asia International last night at the final pageant held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She was among 30 contestants representing Asian countries vying for the title. She arrived in the country today. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Guard honour for new General

A guard of honour was given to Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya today at the Army Headquarters after he was promoted to the rank of General. He is being accompanied by Chief-of-Staff Daya Ratnayake who will assume duties as the new Army Commander on August 1. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

EAM launches 2013 C’wealth website

The External Affairs Ministry today launched its official website for the 2013 Commonwealth meeting. External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris and Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella were present at the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Don’t attempt to antagonise nationalist groups

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary and Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told a news conference that some 26,000 soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Sri Lanka did so to preserve the unitary character of the country and not for others to venture on pilgrimages down the A-9 road. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???

Provincial power in the court

North Western Provincial Council member Ananda Sarath Kumara, who had allegedly forced a teacher to kneel down, was produced in the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court today. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

The annual feast

The annual feast of St. Anthony’s Church Opatha, Kotugoda was held yesterday amidst a large gathering. Picture shows the chariot carrying the statue of St. Anthony being taken in procession. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘Step forward 2013’

 ‘Step forward’ walk of St John's Girls School Panadura organised by the past pupils was held today to commemorate its founder coinciding with the 110th anniversary of the school. Pix by Samantha Perera

Fatal accident

Two commando officers including a Lieutenant colonel were killed in an accident in Karuwalagaswewa near Thabbowa tank this morning. The pictures show the wreckage of their cab. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Video: ‘Vipakshaye Virodaya’ meets EC

‘Vipakshaye Virodaya’ today met the Elections Commissioner and requested him to obtain the services of elections monitors from Commonwealth countries for the NPC elections and to appoint a civilian as governor of the province so as to facilitate the holding of a free and fair election there. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Iranamadu runway ready to be opened

The Iranamadu runway which was completed by Air force officials is to be declared open on June 18. The 1500-metre long and 25-metre wide runway was built to international standards. Pix by Deepa Adikari

The vital spray

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Ministry of Health joined hands in spraying locally made bacteria to curb the breeding of Dengue mosquitoes, using the newly purchased Ultra low volume sprayers. Here a sprayer is being used in Colombo Eye Hospital premises today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Rains do not deter them

People are seen busy with their day to day activities at the city’s trading hub – Pettah, despite the heavy rains this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: ‘Abolish 13-A’

The petition signing campaign, calling for abolishing 13 A, organised by the National Freedom Front (NFF) for ten days came to completion today after the petitions were handed over to its leader Minister Wimal Weerawansa outside the Fort Railway Station today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: The fight against a mosquito

The Ministry of health today donated equipment worth Rupees 50 Million to 100 hospitals in order to revamp the hospitals ability to control the dengue epidemic in the country. Minister of Health Maithreepala Sirisena donated the equipment to the respective hospitals today. (Pix by Nisal Baduge)

Fishermen in Beruwala

Beruwala and Payagala fisher folk who had gone out to sea rushed back to the Beruwala Fisheries Harbour when the police on the advice of the Met Department announced the possibility of strong winds. Panic and chaos prevailed when more than 30 fishing craft including multi-day trawlers attempted to enter the harbour. Pix by Sarath Siriwardene

The UNP for media freedom

UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe, and a host of other leaders urged the government to reveal the truth regarding Prageeth Ekanligoda and said that a free media is vital for a functioning democracy( Pix by Nisal Baduge)

In memory of those who sacrificed their lives

A commemoration ceremony was held at the Ampara Police Superintendent’s office today in memory of the 652 police officers killed by the LTTE in 1990. They were from Akkaraipattu, Kalmunai, Samanthurai and Pottuvil. The police officers who had surrendered to the LTTE were taken to the Rupaskulam Forest in Thirukkovil and shot dead. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Video: Against dengue

Following the rapid increase in dengue cases, Public Health Inspectors are seen examining railway lines inside the Fort Railway Station and the Pettah CTB Central Bus Stand for possible mosquito breeding sites. Dengue is reported to be reaching epidemic proportions in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???

Video: SLC must apologise to our people

The Ravana Balaya orgainisation staged a protest outside Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) headquarters today and urged SLC to apologise to the nation for the embarrassment caused to the Sri Lanka team at the opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel ???

SL 138

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews bats during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at The Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, today (June 9), 2013. AFP

Video: Rescued

A Bell 412 helicopter which operates in Beruwala rescued one fisherman from a boat which had capsized this afternoon. Pix courtesy SLAF

Rescue operations...

The fishermen who went missing due to the adverse weather are being rescued by the Navy and air force.  Pictured here the fishermen are being brought to the Balapitiya beach. Pix by Janath De Silva, Sajeewa Wijeweera and Kamal Liyanage

Indian delegation meets President

The visiting Indian delegation headed by the deputy leader of the opposition BJP of the Rajya Sabha, Ravi Shankar Prasad met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this afternoon. Pix courtesy Presidential media

Thinking big in nano tech

Minister of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Champika Ranawaka and Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana made an inspection tour of the nano technology park which is being built in Homagama, Pitipana this morning. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Demo urges release of five Cubans

The National Freedom Front (NFF) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) held demonstrations near the American Embassy in Kollupitiya today demanding that five Cubans imprisoned in the United States be freed.

Video: An American aid

US Ambassador Michelle Sisson visited the new office complex and crime laboratory of the Government Analyst Department (GAD) donated by the USAID at Pelawatte, Battaramulla today and observed the activities explained by Chief Government Analyst W.D.G.S. Gunatilaka. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: JVP wants electricity tariffs reduced

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) held a protest today in Nugegoda urging the government to reduce the increased electricity tariffs immediately. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Medical students protest

The Medical Faculty Students Union of Sri Jayawardenapura University today held a protest march at Wijerama Junction urging authorities to remove 10 medical students who were admitted to the University under the Foreign Student Admission programme. Pix by Nisal Baduge

'Ravana Balaya' wants beer ad banned

The Ravana Balaya organisation handed over a petition to the Japanese Ambassador today requesting a ban on a beer commercial made for a Japanese beverage company using the Sigiriya in background. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel