A big catch

A huge fish that is believed to be a Whale Shark was caught in a fishing net in the seas off the Chillaw fisheries village yesterday. The fish was 23 feet long and 8 feet in width. The fishermen in the village said they have not seen such a fish before. Pix Augustine Fernando

Bus employees protest in Welimada

The Private Bus Employees’ Association (PBEA) in Welimada Nuwara Eliya staged a protest for the second day in Welimada town today, against the issuing of new route permits for the Nuwara Eliya–Rendapola route. Pix by Rathnam Kogulan

Amaradeva turns 85

Music maestro Pundit W.D. Amaradeva celebrates his 85th birthday today. His beloved wife Wimala Amaradeva’s birthday also coincidentally falls on the same day. Pix by Romesh Danushka Silva

Armored corps ready for 57th anniversary

Sri Lanka Armored Corps (SLAC), one of the most reputed and pioneer Regiments in the Army, yesterday began preparations to celebrate its 57th Anniversary and Regimental Day at the SLAC Regimental Headquarters, Rock House, Mutwal. Pix by Army.lk

Police question 37 Indian fishermen

The 37 Indian fishermen who were arrested yesterday off Pulmoddai inTrincomalee were handed over to Trincomalee Habour police this morning. The fishermen are seen being questioned bythe police. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

Video: CJ leaves…

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake is seen leaving the Supreme Court premises this morning to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) in Parliament. Pix by Samantha Perera

A worthy cause

A signature campaign was orgnised outside the Fort Railway Station today protesting the case filed by the British American Tobacco Company against the concept put forward by the Health Ministry to print health warnings on cigarette packets.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Rambutan in Badulla

A 16-acre Rambutan plantation was captured on film at Koslanda in Badulla. Rambutan plants usually bear fruit during June and August in the Western Province including in the rambutan growing area of Malwana. But this plantation is seen with the plants bearing fruit even during the off season.  Pix by Rathnam Kogulan

Video: Deepika awarded Gusi Peace prize

Veteran vocalist Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris who was awarded the Gusi Peace prize at the international Gusi Peace Prize award Ceremony held in Manila, Philippines  arrived in Sri Lanka this morning. Pix by Deepa Adikari

A common effort for a world class cause

The Central Cultural Fund allocated 100,000 bricks for the renovation of ‘Lion’s Paw’ of the Sigiriya rock that was damaged due to a lightning strike recently. Pix Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Another foundation stone?

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen together with a host of other dignitaries including the High Commissioner of Pakistan Seema Illahi Baloch laid a foundation stone for a school building in Vavuniya yesterday. Pix by Wanni Romesh Madusanka

Video: UNP Convention

The 54th annual Convention of the United National Party (UNP) was held today at the party headquarters, Sirikotha against a backdrop of conflict among party members. The event commenced at 9.30 am this morning and a total of 5800 members attended the convention. Among the highlights of today’s convention was the adoption of the resolution to hold the UNP leadership vote every six years. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Campaign against Sexual Harassment

The Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka organised a sticker campaign at the Bastian Bus Stand in Colombo today, to inaugurate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

All dead

Four wild elephants roaming in a forest area in Miyankulama at Poonani, Batticaloa died from electrocution last night when they had come into contact with a low lying high tension power line in the area. Pix by S.M.M. Murshid

More skeletal remains found at Matale hospital

More than ten skulls and skeletal remains were found at Matale Hospital premises. These skeletal remains were found when digging the trenches for the foundation for the proposed bio-gas unit of the Matale hospital. Pix by Mahesh Keerthirathne

Protest in front of Archeological Dept.

“Bodu Bala Sena” an organization of Buddhist monks and laymen today came to the Department of Archeology to urge the authorities to protect the archeological sites in the Eastern Province. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Udawalawa spill gates opened

Opening of spill gates in the Udawalawa reservoir last night resulted in floods in the low lying areas.  Several houses in Puhulyaya, Malekolaniya, Ridiyagama, Gallelithota, Borelessa ,Walawewatta were under water. By Sanath Gamage

Leaflet campaign against impeachment

A leaflet distribution campaign was held at Hulftsdorp today by the People’s Movement for Democracy, urging people to stand up against the impeachment motion brought against the Chief Justice. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Palestine day

The Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine organised a seminar on “Justice for Palestine” held yesterday at the Auditorium of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, BMICH, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Actions against the Govt.

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe today met the active members of the Bala Mandalaya, Colombo and discussed their next actions in response to the government’s recent decisions. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Against the water act

‘The People’s Movement for Protect Free Water Right’ today signed a public petition against the Water Management Act at the Fort railway station in Colombo over the proposed Water Management Act introduced by the  government. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Tug-of-war for development in Slave Island

Several residents in Kompannaveediya today took to the streets to support of the development project in the area which is to be undertaken by the Indian Tata Housing Company. The project is currently on hold due to a petition filed in the Supreme Court by several residents in the area. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Police baton charge Jaffna students

Several Jaffna University students were injured when police today baton charged a group of students who were protesting amongst the heavy police and military presence around the university. Pix by Prasath and T. Sumithy

Nine cows mysteriously dead

Some nine cows that were roaming near the Polonnaruwa Sanctuary were found dead on the Pollonaruwa- Habarana road this morning.  The reason behind the deaths is yet to be ascertained. Pix by K.G. Karunaratne Gamage

Six killed at railway crossing

Six persons including the driver, a child, three women and two men were killed when a three wheeler collided with north bound Yaal Devi train at an unprotected railway crossing between Ambanpola and Randeniyagama railway stations in Kurunegala this morning. Pix by Sanjeewa Rathnayaka

Left in the lurch

Private buses in Colombo launched a strike today over the issue of bus permits. Thousands of commuters are seen stranded not knowing when the next bus would come. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Karthikai Deepam

The traditional ‘Karthikai Deepam’ ritual festival was held at the Sri Sivasubaramaniyam Kovil Slave Island, on Tuesday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Il Full Moon Poya day

Today’s Il Full Moon Poya Day marks the Katina Cheevara offering to Buddhist monks who observed "Vas" during the rainy season. Devotees are seen observing religious rituals at the Bellanwila Temple. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Colombo Kachcheri on fire

A major fire broke out at the Colombo Divisional Secretariat (Kachcheri) at Dam Street last night causing heavy damages to the building and destroying most of the documents. Picture shows firefighters in a desperate attempt to douse the fire. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Dagaba vandalized in Ampara

Seen here a group of Buddhist monks and the police are investigating the ruins of the ancient Dagaba in Mottiyagala , Akkaraipattu, which was vandalised by using a backhoe. Seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident. (Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala)