Protest by women group

A protest was held in front of the Mirihana Police today urging authorities not to give bail to suspects in custody for raping women. The protest was organized by the UNP affiliated Eksath Lak Vanitha Peramuna. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Another oil leak

The pipeline carrying fuel used for ships from the Colombo Harbour to the Bloemendhal Oil Complex has been damaged at a point at Railpara watte in Bloemendhal. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video:Floods in Ampara

Traffic on the Ampara- Kandy road has come to a standstill due to the heavy rains experienced in the area.The Ampara- Iginiyagala road was also inundated. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

In all majesty!

The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera held every pre-full moon day in January -known as the Duruthu Poya in commemoration of Lord Buddha’s visit to the island- will come to an end tonight. Seen here are elephants taking part in the perahera being bathed. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Fog descends on Haputale

A thick fog experienced in Haputale area today due to the prevailing inclement weather. The Haputale-Beragala Road was the worst affected. Police said the mist prevented the visibility in the winding roads in the area and warned motorists to be cautious. Pix by Palitha Ariyawansa

God only knows

The wife and son of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda together with a host of other supporters held a silent vigil opposite the parliamentary complex yesterday, to mark the 3rd Anniversary of the disappearance of Eknaligoda. Those present recalling statement made by the former Attorney General who said “God only knows where he is”, said the last hope of legal recourse to find Eknaligoda was also lost. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Army report on LLRC handed in

A report on the observations of LLRC, compiled by a Board of Inquiry appointed by  Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuirya was handed over to Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Defense Ministry today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Website launch by Army Commander

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya re-launched the www.defseminar.lk website in accordance with the theme selected for the third international seminar to be held this year in September. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Just another memory?

The ceremonial unveiling of the statute of late Baratha Lakshman Premchandra was held today in Kolonnawa with the participation of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, ministers and Opposition parliamentarians. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Against the Criminal Procedure Bill

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) held a protest outside the Fort Railway Station today over the Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Bill. Pix by Samantha Perera

Fishermen against poaching

All Ceylon Common Fishermen Convention staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today urging authorities to prevent poaching in Sri Lankan waters and to provide them with concessions as they had to face difficulties due to high fuel prices. Pix. by Pradeep Pathirana

Foundation stone laid for Abimansala III

The ground breaking and laying of the foundation stone for Abhimansala III was held today in Pangolla area in Ibbagamuwa under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. The Rs.360 million project is launched for the benefit of 50 totally disabled war heroes from North Western Province. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Call to stop maids going to ME

Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya today held a protest march from Town Hall to Temple Trees protesting against sending female domestic workers to Middle East. They handed over a petition to the President urging to stop Sri Lankan women going to the Middle east as housemaids. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The reality...

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe sharing a light moment at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya on Monday evening, at the ceremonial handing over of the Chuda Manikkaya, the jewel, to the President and the Opposition Leader. It was donated by Buddhists in Myanmar for the pinnacle of the Sela Cheithiya at the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Against Criminal Procedure Bill

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) today held a leaflet distribution campaign outside the Fort Railway station against the Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Bill which is to be taken up in parliament tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘Stop sending SL women to ME

A signature campaign was organised in Muttur urging the authorities to formulate laws to stop sending female domestic workers to the Middle East and the petition would be submitted to the president. Pix by Roshan Jeewantha

Lawyers campaign against death threats

The Lawyers’ Collective held a signature campaign today in front of the Supreme Court complex in Hulftsdorp condemning the death threats on lawyers and judges who stood up to protect the independence of the judiciary. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

I am clean...

Public Relations Minister Mervin Silva visited the Kelaniya electorate this monring. Addressing several pocket meetings he said his opponents had branded him as a murderer. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Sencholai opened

Former prominent Leader of the LTTE Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP is seen here unvealing the well-known Sencholai children home in Pudhukkudiyiruppu today. The place was used as an orphanage for children and was later used as a training camp by the LTTE. Pix by Priyantha Hewage-Vavuniya

LBW…

Australia's David Warner (2nd L) is bowled LBW by Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera (2nd R) during game four of the Commonwealth Bank one-day international cricket series at the SCG in Sydney on January 20, 2013.  AFP

Protest by AG Depart. Officers

Officers of the Auditor General’s Department held a protest near the Parliament Roundabout today urging the authorities to forward the Sri Lanka Audit Service Minute to the Cabinet for policy clearance. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Awesome Australia demolished for 74

Nuwan Kulasekara ripped through the Australia line-up, Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Brisbane today. (ESPNcricinfo)

Part of Galle Road, Wellawatte closed

The traffic lane for vehicles going southwards on Galle Road, from the top of Vihara Lane (International Buddhist Centre Road) up to the top of Ramakrishna Road, Wellawatta, will be closed for a period of 20 days from 10.00 pm today for repair work at the Ramakrishna Junction

Internet petition for Uni students’ release

An internet petition signing campaign was held yesterday by the members of the Movement of the Equal Rights at the Lions Club Rajagiriya demanding the government to release the arrested University students in Jaffna. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Customs seize contraband

Customs seized cigarettes, cardamom, cheese, shoes and motorbike spare parts brought from Middle East and Italy respectively under fake addresses. The value of the goods excluding the motorbike spare parts is around Rs.130 million and the goods were detected by the Customs Special Operations and Investigations unit headed by Director of Customs Mali Piyasena. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

This is real!

About 60 families in the Dunukewela, a rural area in Ridimaliyadda Divisional Secretariat, are deprived of basic facilities such as roads and electricity. Pictured here is the plight the villagers have to undergo in their day to day activities. Pix by Nishantha Kumara

Madawala killing taken up

The suspects in the murder of Kelaniya PS member HasithaMadawala were produced beforethe Mahara Magistrates’ Court today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Press briefing on judicial crisis

A news conference was held today at the Azad Sally foundation Centre with the participation of TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, Wickramabahu Karunaratne, (UPFA) Colombo Municipal Council Deputy Mayor Azad Sally, Sirithunga Jayasurya and Sarath Manamendra to discuss the present situation in the country. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Video:“I haven’t cheated a red cent”

Impeached Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake while leaving her official residence said that in her 32 years of state service she had “not even taken a car permit, nor taken leave and I have always worked according to the law”. The Chief Justice was swarmed by hundreds of eager media personnel when she was leaving her official residence with her husband and son Shaveen. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Video: Safety fence around Hulftsdorp

Police and STF personnel created a human chain around the Hulftsdorp Court Complex in Colombo this morning. Members of the Federation of Self Employees were also gathered there to welcome new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris. Pix by Samantha Perera