“Entrepreneur 2013”

The trade fair “Entrepreneur 2013” organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development was declared open by Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Dullas Alahapperuma at the BMICH today. It will end on Sunday (24). Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Leaving it in the hands of fate?

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC sessions, President Mahinda Rajapaksa seems to be in a joyful mood as he flips the coin at the Golden Jubilee cricket encounter between Thurstan and Isipathana today at the SSC Grounds. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

95 Tamil women enlisted to Army

A batch of Tamil women from the North and Eastern provinces was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army today. They will be recruited to the 6th Women Corp Battalion to engage in civilian affairs. The passing out ceremony was held at the Killinochchi Security Forces Headquarters, which was followed by a cultural show. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

NFF supporters protest outside US embassy

More than hundred supporters of the National Freedom Front (NFF) staged a protest outside the US Embassy in Colombo criticising the US sponsored resolution against Sri Lankan which was passed at the UNHRC sessions this morning. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Live video: UNHRC session

Police heroes remembered

The 149th National Police Memorial Day celebrations were held under the patronage of Inspector General of Police N.K. Ilangakoon at the Police Field Force Headquarters, Bambalapitiya this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Cartoon of the day

Prelates hand over petition

The Prelates of the four chapters handed over a petition to the Indian High Commissioner today over recent assaults on Buddhists including monks in Tamil Nadu. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Lankan Tamils protest assault on Monks

Some Sri Lankan Tamil traders staged a protest this afternoon at the Galle Face roundabout demanding the Indian government to stop violence against Sri Lankan Buddhist monks and pilgrimage. The traders handed over a Sandeshaya to the Indian High Commission after the protest. Pix by Kushan Pathirana

Gamini Dissanayake’s 71st birth anniversary

The 71st birth anniversary of the late parliamentarian and opposition leader Gamini Dissanayake was held today in front of his monument at Green Path. Mrs. Dissanayake, Naveen Dissanayake and family members took part in the ceremonies. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Another protest over attacks in TN

An organisation called the ‘Power of Ravana’ staged a protest at Galle Face Green today over the attacks on Buddhist monks in Tamil Nadu. The organisation marched to the Indian High Commission and handed over a petition. (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)

Monk attacked in TN returns

The group of pilgrims, including the Buddhist monk who was attacked in Tamil Nadu on Monday, arrived at the Katunayake International Airport today. Chief Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Galabodaatte Gnanasara Thero and some monks were present to meet them and enquire about their health. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Video: Two container loads of ethanol opened

Two container loads of ethanol imported from Vietnam were opened today by Customs officers and Excise officers in the presence of the importer. Further investigations are underway regarding the matter. The stock of ethanol was seized at Thotalanga by Excise officers on Wednesday. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Attack on Buddhist monks condemned

The Sinhala Rawaya Organisation went on a protest march from Kollupitiya to the Indian High Commission and handed over a petition condemning the recent attacks made on Sri Lankan Buddhist monks. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A monk attacked once again in Chennai

A group of Sri Lankan tourists comprising a monk were attacked by three unidentified persons at Central railway station, Chennai, India today. ???

Mattala Airport declared open

Sri Lanka’s second international airport, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) commenced operation with the landing of a Sri Lankan Airline flight with the President onboard. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: CJ refuses statement

Impeached Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption this morning after she was noticed to do so. But Dr. Bandaranayake refused to make a statement to the Commission alleging that the members were biased. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana) ???

SL vs Ban

Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal rescued Sri Lanka from 69 for 4, Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, Colombo, 2nd day. (ESPN)

Medicare Exhibition ends today

Sri Lanka's largest medical exhibition, National Healthcare Exhibitions 2013 organised by the Department of Health, Western Province held at the BMICH ends today. The exhibition showcases the latest advancements in the world of healthcare. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Video: SL monk assaulted

A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Pathberiye Gnanaloka Thero, was assaulted by members of Tamil outfits at the Big Temple in Thanjavur, in Tiruchi, India on Saturday.(The Hindu)

Video: The Ethanol containers opened

Two containers of Ethanol imported from Vietnam were opened today by the Customs officers and Excise officers. Customs officers yesterday shied away from opening the containers in presence of the Media. The stock of Ethanol was seized at Thotalanga by Excise officers on Wednesday. Pix by Lal S. Kumara

A museum for Aranthalawa

A memorial museum has been opened in Aranthalawa, Ampara in remembrance of the Aranthalawa massacre of 1987. The bus in which the Buddhist monks travelled has been preserved and the massacre is portrayed through sculptures by sculptor Anil Amarapura. The LTTE killed 31 Bikkhus including Ven. Hegoda Indrasara Thera on June 2, 1987. Pix by Kumara C. Liyanarachchi

What’s inside?

The picture shows the excise officials inspecting the container reported to hold illegally imported ethanol. The government banned the import of ethanol recently with the view of increasing the local production of ethanol, which is the main ingredient in alcohol products. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

MRIA recognised as international airport

The Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Rohan Daluwatte handed over a Certificate of Recognition, to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport acknowledging it as an international airport, at the Civil Aviation Ministry.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Expansion of maritime cooperation

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are seen signing the joint statement which would result in the expansion of maritime cooperation between the two countries. Pix by Sugath Silva

Sports complex for Vijayabahu Regiment

The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment received Presidential Colours recently and to mark the occasion a new sports complex and an auditorium was opened at its Headquarters in Boyagane. Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya is seen playing tennis during the opening ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Katsuyuki meets MR in Japan

Japan's House of Representatives member and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Katsuyuki Kawai called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Hotel Imperial in Tokyo today. Pix by Sudath Silva

2nd day of voting for new pope

Black smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, indicating that no decision has been made after the first voting session on the second day of voting for the election of a new pope, March 13, 2013. REUTERS

78 new LRP graduates

Two officers and 76 soldiers graduated from the Kuda Oya Commando Training School after successfully completing a course of training in Long Range Patrol (LRP). Pix by Nayanajeewa Bandara

Jumbo gifts to Japan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday gifted two elephants to the Tama Zoo in Japan to mark 60 years of diplomatic relationships between the two countries