Gangarama Vesak Zone

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne ceremonially turned on the lights to illuminate Gangarama Vesak Zone yesterday evening. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Government MP Namal Rajapaksa also took part in this event. Pix by Gayan Amarasekera

Video: At Borella

Members of the Sihala Ravaya are seen having a heated argument with the law enforcement authorities in front of the Jayaratne Florists, Borella against sending the body of the monk, Ven. BowatteIndraratna Thera, who died by self-immolation to Ratnapura. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vesak Pandals in Colombo

Pictures show ‘Vesak Pandals’ around the Colombo city depicting Jathaka stories. Large crowds thronged the Colombo city during the Vesak season.  Pix by Samantha Perera

I gave everything to cricket-Mahela

“As any other cricketer I have been through the ups and downs, at the start and then in the middle of my career,” Mahela Jayawardena tells Vijay Lokapally of 'Sportstar'.

Sharing a meal on Vesak Day

Several Dansals have been organised on Vesak Day. People are seen organising and participating at Dansals in the Colombo City.  Pix By Nisal Baduge

Giant Buddhist flag

A giant Buddhist flag -- 100 feet long and 50 feet wide -- designed by K. Hemapala was displayed for the 5th consecutive year along Baseline Road in Dematagoda. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Vesak celebrations

Thousands of devotees thronged the temples all over the country to attend religious observances to mark the Vesak day this morning. The picture shows devotees at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya engaged in religious observances.   Pix By Nisal Baduge

Religious programme at Sirikotha

A religious programme was held at the UNP Head Quarters Sirikotha today guided by Ven. Udahamulle Siriwimala Thera to mark the dawn of Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.  UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other party members participated at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Preparing for Vesak

Three Bikkhunis preparing lanterns to celebrate this year’s Vesak in a temple at Kirindiwela. Vesak is observed traditionally by Buddhists all around the world to commemorate the birth, enlightenment (nirv?na) and death (Parinirv?na) of Gautama Buddha. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Getting ready for Vesak

Novice Buddhist monks at the Ampara Vidyananda Pirivena are getting ready for the Vesak festival. A number of religious activities have been scheduled at the Pirivena in view of Vesak. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Final touches for Vesak

Vesak Pandals in Gangarama, Nawaloka, Kosgas Junction and Dematagoda are nearing completion with only a few days left to mark Vesak. Pix by Samantha Perera

Customs smells perfume in container

The Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) seized a 40-foot container with perfume, shoes and cheese estimated to cost more than Rs.40 million. The officials said that the container had been declared as textile material. Six suspects had been arrested over the incident. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Building on fire

A fire broke out in a vehicle spare parts shop in New Pradeepa Mawatha, Maligawatta this evening. Police suspect that an electrical leak caused the fire. Maradana police are conducting further investigations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protests over electricity tariff hike

Most of the private and government institutions participated in the countrywide protest campaign urging the government to immediately withdraw the electricity tariff hike and reduce the soaring cost of living.

Ravana Balaya

The ‘Ravana Balaya’ organisation today handed over a letter to the Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry condemning its silence over the recent attack on a Buddhist monk. (Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana)   

Last minute campaign

Several groups, including artistes have decided to give their support to tomorrow’s strike campaign demanding that the authorities to rescind the electricity tariff formula. Here an artiste distributes leaflets seeking the public’s support for the strike campaign (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Handling crocodiles

Ahead of the World Crocodile Conference to be held in Sri Lanka from May 20 to 23, crocodile experts held a training campaign for veterinary surgeons at the Dehiwala Zoo last Sunday.  The experts taught them how to handle crocodiles when they were brought for treatment. Pix by H.M. Dharmapala

Country preparing for Vesak

Enthusiastic people were seen keenly purchasing decorations for Vesak from stalls located in and round the city of Colombo today.  Vesak Poya which marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha falls on May 24.  Pic by Nisal Baduge

Vesak celebrations

The week beginning May 21 has been declared Vesak week. Pictures show Vesak pandals erected in Kirulapona, Colombo 6, depicting the Jathaka stories of the Buddha.Pix by Nisal Baduge

Fourth Victory day parade

The fourth Victory Day parade was held today at the Galle Face green with the participation of thousands of military personnel who showcased a wide range of military equipment. Pix by Shantha Rathnayake

Traffic plan for Victory Day parade

Stage set for Victory Day parade

The fourth Victory Day parade will be held today at the Galle Face green area with the participation of thousands of military personnel who will also showcase a wide range of military equipment. Soldiers are seen parading with their respective regiment flags during yesterday’s final rehearsals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Women protest against electricity tariff hike

Women for Rights movement today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway station against the recent electricity tariff hike. Protesters carried electric equipments to the protest and later on they smashed them as an act of protest. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Road to peace

Road Development Authority in Jaffna is seen here constructing the Iyakachchi Kaddaikadu road which was damaged due to inclement weather. This road construction was done under the guidance of the Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

The lone warrior?

The official languages commission of Sri Lanka launched its website this morning with the Minister of Languages and National Integration Vasudeva Naynayakkara, the Canadian national languages commissioner Graham Fraser and National Language Project Coordinator Vidya Abhayagunawaradena participating at the ceremony.  Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Who will pay for this?

Amid the hustle and bustle about the prudent use of electricity, a street lamp down Horton Place is seen lit-up even at 11 a.m. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

An effort to make a living

Sisira, is seen making an effort to earn his living by making Vesak lanterns along the Bandaranaikapura Road in Rajagiriya. He is a resident of Jayawardanapura Kotte. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Indian HC visits Mahabodhi Society

Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha today visited the Mahabodhi Society at Colombo 10. He also met Mahabodhi Society Chief Incumbent Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Deep freezer trucks seized in Hambantota

Customs Revenue Monitoring Unit seized two deep-freezer trucks worth Rs.10 million which arrived at the Hambantota Harbour two weeks before. The deep-freezer trucks were used for five years before they were brought to the harbour, which is against the law. This was the first raid conducted at the Hambantota Harbour. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Victory Day rehearsals at Galle Face Green

Rehearsals for the Victory Day Parade by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces continued today at the Galle Face Green. The parade will mark the 4th Anniversary of the end of Eelam War against the LTTE and will be held on Saturday (18). Pix by Nisal Baduge