Home sweet home!

Sixty  Sri Lankans returned to the island this evening after they were deported from Saudi Arabia having served in jail due to various discrepancies in their travel documents. Pix by Deepa Adikari

For a new beginning

Vivaha 2012 a bridal exhibition for those seeking to make a new lease of life is currently being held at the BMICH. The exhibition which comprises all facets relating to a wedding will be held throughout the day. Pix by Nisal Badughe

Banana lorry in collision with tipper

A lorry transporting a load of bananas from Embilipitiya was involved in a collision with a tipper at Ingiriya on the Ratnapura – Panadura road causing serious injuries to the driver and another person in the lorry. The driver’s wrist had been seriously injured. Pix by Kusal Chamath

Demanding proper steps

The inter company employees union staged a protest today opposite the Fort railway station against the budget that was presented to parliament. The union alleged that it contained no material benefit to the workers and demanded that immediate steps be taken to rectify grievances faced by workers. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Video: CJ leaves for Parliament

Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake is seen leaving the Supreme Court premises this morning to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) in Parliament with regard to the impeachment motion against her. (ISD)

Bodhi Pooja for Tony Greig

A ‘Bodhi Pooja’ was held last evening at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to invoke blessings on former England test cricketer and Channel Nine commentator Tony Greig. The Sri Lankan cricket team, parliamentarians and commentator attended the ceremony. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: First fish pedicure centre

A natural fish pedicure centre located on the Madu River in Balapitiya is considered as a first in Sri Lanka. Fish pedicure is considered to be one of the most potent rejuvenation techniques used in many Eastern as well as Western countries. The pedicure is said to increase blood circulation and helps to cleanse the skin.

Video: Inauguration of Peoples' Assembly

Peoples’ Assembly held today at New Town Hall with the Participation of the “Wipaksaye Wirodaya” headed by Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe. UNP opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne, Siritunga Jayasuriya, Hemakumara Nanayakkara and some other political leaders were also present at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘Bodhi Pooja’ for CJ

‘Bodhi Pooja’ ceremony was held this morning at the Sri Bodhirajaramaya temple Colombo to invoke blessings to the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake by the Supreme Court staff members. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Lalith Athulathmudali commemoration

The annual Lalith Athulathmudali commemoration was held today at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall (BMICH). It was organized by the institute for Democracy and Leadership in cooperation with the Freidrich Naumann foundation. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Police checkout ancient swords

A fresh investigation has been initiated to find out whether three ancient swords found at Kelaniya were those stolen from the National Museum, Police Headquarters said today. Pix by G.P.Sudath Keerthi and Upali Ranaweera

Rain causes heavy damage in Southern Province

Several areas in the Matara district have been inundated due to heavy rains yesterday. The rain also caused death of two persons. The pictures show the damage caused by the rains in the areas of Nonagama, Makandura, Ranchagoda, Ambalantota and Kamburupitiya. Pix by Sanath Gamage

Video: All set for launch

Sri Lanka's first communication satellite is expected to be launched on November 22, 2012 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China. This geostationary satellite would become operational by mid-2013 for commercial purposes. Picture released by the supremeSAT Pvt Ltd shows officials making final touches before the launch on Thursday (22).

Fire at temple

Picture shows the damaged building of the Kathaluwa Ranwella temple due to a fire. The historic printing machine that printed the first Sinhala newspaper Lankalokaya was also badly damaged due to the fire.Pix by  D.G. Sugathapala

MR in Astana

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana on a three-day state visit on Monday (19) at the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. The President, accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, was warmly welcomed by Kazakhstan Minister of Economic Development and Trade Erbolat Dosayevat at the Astana International Airport.

‘Soorasamharam’ Festival

The ‘Soorasamharam’ Festival was held today at the Sri Manickavinayagar temple in Bambalapitiya, marking the day the devil Sooran was defeated by the goddess of Kataragama. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Servicemen organize blood drive

Servicemen of the three armed forces and the PSD held a blood donation campaign recently at the Abayarama temple in Narahenpitiya, to invoke blessing on the President on his birthday and in commemoration of his appointment as the President. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Seeking justice for CJ

The National Movement for Social Justice held a meeting today with 75 civil groups, clergy, lawyers and others to discuss what collective decisions would be taken to address the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike, which they said was a violation of the law. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Saving the judiciary

Over 37 trade unions and civil society groups handed out leaflets today urging the people to support and uphold the independence of the judiciary. Picture shows volunteers handing out leaflets at the Fort Railway Station. (Pix by Nisal Baduge)

Issues galore

UNP leader Ranil Wickermasinghe met with university lecturers today at the mayors residence to discuss issues faced by the dons. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Tamil girls join Army

In a landmark event, nearly 100 Tamil girls joined the Sri Lanka Army on Saturday at a ceremony held at Bharathipuram in Kilinochchi. They will be enlisted to the Army’s Volunteer Force and assigned to serve in the 6th Battalion of the Women's Corps. Pix by Wanni Romesh Madusanka

Navy passing out parade

A commissioning and passing out parade was held at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomale on Saturday night. Navy Commander Jayanath Colambage was the Chief Guest of the event. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Leaflets for education

A leaflet distribution campaign was held at the fort railway station by the JVP urging the government to immediately take concrete measures to address issues relating to education. JVP politburo member Bimal Rathnayake is pictured here during the campaign. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Road blocked at Bellangala

An earth mound had collapsed on to the road at Bellangala on Balangoda-Kalthota road last night. Traffic had come to a stand still and motorists are advised to use alternate routes. Pix by S. Thiyagu

22 PCs Counsel take oaths before CJ

Twenty two new President’s Counsel took oaths today before Chief Justice Shirani A. Bandaranayake and the Judges of Supreme Court, Appeal Court, High Court, District Court and the Magistrate’s Court. It is considered a special event in Sri Lanka’s judicial history to have 22 President’s Counsel, the highest number to have been appointed in a year.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

President plants commemorative tree

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today planted a ‘Sandun tree’ to coincide with the “Deyata Sevana National Tree Planting Campaign” at the Kotte Ananda Sastralaya, declaring open the newly built shrine chamber donated by Asitha Liyanage, who is a member of the Old Boys’ Society of the school. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

GNOA on the streets

The Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA) today staged a protest march from the National Hospital to the Health Ministry urging the government to grant its outstanding demands. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Museveni leaves

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni today left back to Uganda from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after a three-day official visit in Sri Lanka. A group of officials including Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera and Minister of Civil Aviation, Priyankara Jayaratne participated at the event. Pix by Deepa Adikari

20 more students in hospital

Twenty students of another School at Gampola were admitted to Panwilatenna Hospital today. These students also had complained of symptoms similar to those of the Jinaraja Balika Vidyalaya students who were hospitalised yesterday due to an allergic reaction. Pix by Suranga Rajanayake

Over 1000 students hospitalized

Over 1000 students in Gampola Jinaraja Balika Vidyalaya were hospitalized this morning, as a result of an alleged allergic reaction. Pix by Suranga Rajanayaka