Hunger strike for Resettlements

A hunger strike organised by TNA calling to hasten the resettlements in the North and East was held in Jaffna this morning. UNP Leader Ranil Wikcremesinghe,Mavai Senadirajah,Suresh Premachandra,Mano Ganeshan and Mrs. Wijekala Maheshwaran also took part in the strike. Pix by S.K.Prasath and Sumithi Thangarasa

In memory of a fallen colleague

Fishermen in Chilaw, today did not engage in any fishing activity in commemoration of the death of Anthony Fernando, a fellow fisherman who was killed during protests against the sudden increase of fuel prices last year. Pix by Augastin Fernando

Lawyers meet Hakeem on law exam syllabus

‘Lawyers’ for good governance’ today held a discussion with Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem and MP Namal Rajapaksa at the Justice Ministry with regard to the change in the law entrance examination syllabus. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Injured pilgrims return

The group of 13 Sri Lankan pilgrims consisting ofthree men and ten women that met with an accident in the Uttara Pradesh in India returned to the country this afternoon. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Video: ‘One Billion Rising’ against violence

Global One Billion Rising Movement organised a demonstration and a Candlelight Vigil at the Lipton Circus today over the violence against women and children in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel ???

JVP celebrates Valentine’s Day

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) celebrated Valentine’s Day at the Galle Face Green this evening. The Social Youth Union’s street drama group performed a drama depicting the various obstacles faced by Sri Lankan youth on matters of love. The programme was titled “A tomorrow that doesn’t have a price, dowry or differences of caste or creed for love’. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Health unions want concerns addressed

All Ceylon Health Services Union, the All Ceylon Ayurvedic Medical Officers’ Union and the Indigenous Medical Students’ Council today staged a protest out side the Borella Ayurvedic hospital urging the authorities to resolve their long outstanding concerns. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

“Don’t appear for accused”

Monks and residents protested outside the Moratuwa Magistrate’s Court today urging the lawyers to refrain from appearing for the suspects in the killing of the Chief Incumbent of a temple in Egoda Uyana (Pix by Suranjith Perera)

Former LTTE cadres celebrate culture

A cultural programme, organised by former LTTE cadres who were recruited to the Civil Security Force recently, was held today in Kilinochchi. MP Namal Rajapaksa participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

IMF predicts an economic expansion of 6.25%

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Delegation Head John Nelmes, speaks as members Joe Thornton, Jiri Jonas, Volodymyr Tulin and IMF resident representative Koshy Mathai look on during a news conference at the Central Bank today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Rio Carnival 2013

Revelers of Vila Isabel samba school perform during the second night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 12, 2013. AFP

Elephant migration

Each year, as they have for centuries, hundreds of elephants descend on the shores of an ancient reservoir in Sri Lanka's north-central Minneriya National Park. (CNN)

Civil Defence Force harvest

Paddy fields amounting to around 40 acres cultivated by the Civil Defence Force in Duduwewa in Kebitigollewa was harvested today. This was done with the participation of the Head of the Civil Defence Force Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris. Pix by pradeep pathirana

‘Sight First’

The ‘Sight First’ eye clinic organised by the UNP led Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya was held in Kotte today. Pictured here, the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe hands over a pair of spectacles to an elderly person. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: ‘Uthuru Janani’ inaugurated

‘Uthuru Janani’ the 24 Megawatts electricity power plant in Jaffna was inaugurated today by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the participation of the Minister of Power and Energy, Pavithra Wanniarachchi. Pix by President’s Media ???

New alliance...

Leaders of the Vipakshaye Virodahya led by opposition leader Ranil Wickremsinghe seen raising their hands at the New Town Hall soon after they had today signed the MOU for the setting up of a joint political movement. Pix By Kushan Pathiraja

Pow- Wow!

Secretary General of the Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L Peiris, MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunge were present at the discussion.

Diplomatic challenges

A joint seminar on political and diplomatic challenges faced by nations during and after conflict "Confined to Borders" was held recently at the Kadirgamar Institute. The keynote address was delivered by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Quazi judges meet

The Annual conference of the Quazi Judges of Sri Lanka was held recently under the patronage of Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem and other officials. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A giant skate fish caught in Ambalantota

A giant skate fish was caught in a large fishery net (seine) Saturday (9) at Welipatanwila in Ambalantota.The female stake weighed 1,500 kilograms and she was found to be pregnant, according to the fishermen.

Video:MR at Tirupati

President Mahinda Rajapaksa offered prayers at Tirupati temple in India.

Bodu Bala Sena’s news conference

Bodu Bala Sena today held a news conference in Colombo to express their opinion on the speech made by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva in response to the Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe’s speech in parliament regarding the Bodu Bala Sena. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

MR visits Bodh Gaya

President Mahinda Rajapaksha, who is on a two-day visit to India, arrived at the Bodh Gaya Aiport this morning. He was seen worshipping the “Sri Maha Bodhi”, where the Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.Courtesy-President Media  

Video: Meteorite fragments found

Professor Chandana Jayaratne, who visited the spot where the fragments from a meteorite are suspected to have fallen, is seen checking the fragments. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cremation of the late Wimalawansa Thera

The cremation of the chief incumbent of the Matigahathenne Wimalawansa Moratuwa Egodauyana Sunandopananda Thera, who was assassinated recently, was held today at the Sunandopananda school grounds. Pictured here are the remains of the late thero being carried to the crematorium by the Bhikshu. Pix by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka

Peddlers call for occupational security

The Federation of self Employees today held a protest march from the Fort Railway station to the Hilton Roundabout against the move to ban their trade in buses and trains. They handed over a petition to the President citing their requests and grievances. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Mounted police on their way back

The Sri Lanka mounted police personnel are seen on their way back after controlling vehicular traffic near the Central Bank area this morning. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Survival is a daily struggle

Anti-Imperialist People’s Movement staged a Protest march from the Lake-House roundabout to the Hyde Park this evening mainly urging the government to bring down the unbearable cost-of-living. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Stale fruits under the hammer

Seven people were today arrested by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) in Kandy on charged of selling fruits which were not suitable for human consumption. CAA officials said stocks worth five million rupees were confiscated. Pix by Shane Senavirathna

“To restore independence”

Judge Sisira Rathnayake assumed duties as the new secretary of the Judicial Services Commission yesterday, after former Secretary Manjula Thilakarathne was transferred. Thilakarathne was at the centre of controversy after he in an open letter asserted the waning independence of the Judiciary. He was later assaulted by unidentified goons. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja