Sentenced...

The Mawanella PS Chairman K.G.Piyathissa, who was today sentenced to death for a murder committed in 2002,is seen leaving the court premises. Pix by Rohan Kumara

Seized cigarettes destroyed

Illegally imported cigarettes worth Rs.115 million taken into custody by Customs since January were handed over to be destroyed. The stock consists of 4.6 million cigarette sticks. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Students celebrate Environment Day

The Gothatuwa Asian Grammar International School students celebrated World Environment Day today under the theme, ‘Let’s all be leaders and protect the environment’. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Signatures against 13A

A signature campaign against the 13th Amendment organised by the National Freedom Front (NFF) began today at the Sri Pannananda Dharma Vihara at Pattiya Junction in Kelaniya. Pix by Ministry of Construction.

Video: Gift of a baby elephant

A baby elephant was handed over to the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya at a special ceremony held today. It was a gift from Myanmar. External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris was the chief guest at the ceremony. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel ???

Why were they late?

The Wildlife Department Officials had been accused of not attending promptly to an urgent call by the resident and the Army when two elephants had been reported sick in Vavuniya today. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Video: The judge being judged

Homagama District court judge Sunil Abeysinghe is pictured escorted out of the Colombo Magistrates court by prison guards after he was further remanded by the court. The judge is alleged to have accepted a bribe in order to give a decision in favour of a party. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: For peace and harmony

Ninety five Bikkhunis and Samaneras arrived to Sri Lanka from Thailand this morning in order to further cultivate religious ties between the two countries and to visit locations of religious significance in the island. Pix by Deepa Adhikari

Ranil and CJ

While the United National Party led by Ranil Wickremasinghe in January opposed the appointment of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris claiming it was an illegal appointment in place of CJ Shirani Bandaranayake, the Opposition leader seemed to be having a point to share with CJ Peiris at the funeral of UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardena in Jaela today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Aranthalawa monks remembered

The 26th commemoration of 31 Buddhist monks who were assassinated by the LTTE terrorists at Aranthalawa was held today at the Aranthalawa Buddhist Centre. The members of the Mahasanga attended to religious observances and paid floral tributes at the Aranthalawa assassination commemoration memorial. Pix. by Wasantha Chandrapala

Thai PM ends SL tour

Thailand Prime Minister Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra who had been on a two day official visit to Sri Lanka left the country on Saturday. External Affairs Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, Parliamentarian Nirupama Rajapakse, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Chairman Prasanna Wickamasuriya were at the Bandaranaye International Airport (BIA) to see her off. Pix. by Deepa Adikari

Thai PM calls on Malwatte Mahanayake Thera

Visiting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who visited the Sacred Temple of the Tooth late on Friday, called on the Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera to get his blessings this morning. Pix by J.L.A. Jayasinghe

Uni. students meet Ranil

A discussion initiated by the UNP’s youth wing was held at party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence to discuss concerns faced by local universities. University students’ representatives, UNP Youth wing Chairman and MP the Ruwan Wijeywardena and several other stakeholders participated. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Thai PM in Parliament

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is on a two day official visit in Sri Lanka addressed the parliament today. Pix Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Thai PM meets MR

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who arrived in Sri Lanka this morning on a two day visit called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. Pix by Presidential Media

Video: Thai PM here

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and a group of delegates arrived in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit this morning. They were warmly welcomed at the Bandaranaike International Airport by External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Life-size wax statues

Sri Lanka’s one and only wax statue sculptor Athula Herath who has made life-size creations of Professor Carlo Fonseka and veteran Sunil Edirisinghe together with his son Mahima, unveiled today at the Namel Malini Punchi Theater in Borella. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: The Homagama Judge...

Homagama District Court Judge Sunil Abeysinghe is being escorted out of the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station where he was held in custody until he was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate. Goons who were gathered at the police station prevented journalists from taking pictures of the judge Pix by Sameera Rajapaksa ???

Indian intelligence chief in Vanni

Indian Armed Forces Intelligence Unit Director General R.N. Singh visited the Vanni Security Forces Headquarters today. Lt. Gen. Singh was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at the Vavuniya airstrip by Major General Boniface Perera, the Vanni Security Forces Commander and Competent Authority on displaced people in the Northern Province. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Final day of Gangaramaya Vesak celebrations

The Vesak celebrations around the Gangaramaya Temple came to an end today. The well attended festivities that took place both around the Beira Lake and the Temple attracted large crowds who travelled long distances to witness the beautiful sites. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Proposals for new Constitution

The UNP today launched its draft policy for a new constitution. The launch took place in the parliament complex with the participation of Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, leaders of the ‘VipakshayeVirodaya’ and UNP parliamentarians. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

They apologise

The bus driver and the conductor who were accused of having assaulted a Buddhist monk who was travelling in a Colombo-Embilipitiya bus today apologised to the monk the Ven. Sevanagala Gnanawimala Thera at the Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs Ministry. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cartoon of the day

Last rites for self-immolation monk

The funeral of the monk who set himself on fire in front of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy in protest of cattle slaughter, was conducted today at the Kahawatta Poronuwa grounds. A large crowd including numerous Buddhist monks participated in the funeral. Pix by Ajith Lal Shanthaudaya and  Aruna Herath

Setting an example?

An ice-cream Dansala organised by the Excise Department for the second time was held today outside its head office in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Journalist dealing with heroin

A Pakistani journalist was arrested at Orugadawatta last night by Excise Department officials on charges of having possessed one kilogram of heroin worth Rs.5 million. Pix by Samantha Perera

Exposition of Mihintale crest gem

The crest gem that is due to adorn the Mihintale Stupa was on exposition today in the Sri Shylabimbarama Purana Wiharaya in Yagodamulla, Gampaha A large number of devotees thronged the area to participate in the process of venerating it. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sapugaskanda: Pipeline repairs in progress

Technicians are seen repairing the broken hose used to pump crude oil to the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery (SOR) from the tanker. The resumption of operations at the country’s only oil refinery was further delayed as the hose broke down. Picture courtesy Minister of Petroleum Industries

Vesak celebrations

Vesak celebrations at Gangaramaya continued last night around the Beire Lake and the Temple luring a large crowd from many places. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Warm welcome for President in Beijing

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in China this morning (May 27), commencing a four-day state visit. President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wikaramasinghe Rajapaksa were warmly welcomed  Pix by President's Media