‘Adyapana 2012’

The ‘Adyapana 2012’ higher education and career exhibition, organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (Pvt.) Ltd. for the seventh consecutive year was inaugurated today, by the Australian High Commissioner Robyn Mudie at the BMICH, and will be held until October 7. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Jumbo job...

Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa and actress Pooja Umashankar seen painting toy elephants at an event in Colombo launched by a leading department store to mark the World Animal Day. Pics by Samantha Perera

Tractors for CDU

Forty-six tractors were distributed at the Parliament grounds today as the second step covering the Civil Defence Units and sub Units in the country in support of the agricultural programmes that have been launched by them. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: Free our children

Relatives of the Sri Lankan children who are in Norwegian foster care staged a protest in front of the Norway Embassy in Colombo urging the Norwegian authorities to stop harassing the children and hand them over to their parents Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SL to World T20 finals

Sri Lanka celebrates after defeating Pakistan in the ICC world Twenty20 semi-final at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo October 4, 2012. REUTERS

Video: A protest turned violent

Protestors outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo pelted stones and water bottles damaging the windows of a building against the brutal attacks on the Buddhist communities and Buddhist temples in Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts by the Bangladeshi Islamic extremists. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Video: Tense situation at Thurstan grounds

A tense situation was reported at the ticket counter at the Thurstan College grounds where the T20 World Cup tickets are being sold, as thousands of people are seen trying to purchase tickets. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Tidal wave

This picture taken on October 3, 2012 shows a tidal wave hitting against the river bank at the mouth of the Qiantang river in Haining, in eastern China's Zhejiang province, at the start of the annual International Qiantang River Tidal Bore Watching Festival.  Thousands of visitors gather daily to watch the wave which can reach up to 8.93 meters high. AFP

Fire at Rahangala Mountain

A forest fire erupted at the Rahangala mountain range, destroying more than six acres of the Turpentine plantation in Ohiya, last night. Forest department officials and villagers are currently in the process of dousing the fire. Pix by Rathnam Kogulan

Havies beat Lions

Havelock SC beat the Upcountry Lions 32-31 in the semi finals of the Dialog Clifford Cup yesterday at Havelock Park. Seen here pictures from the match. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Against the FUTA protest

Members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Students Organization (SLFSO), Inter University Independent Students Union (IUISU) and the Organisation of Undergraduates’ Parents (OUP) launched a protest outside the Fort Railway Station today over the trade union action of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA). Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Discussion on education issues

A discussion was held today with the participation of the Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) to address the issues pertaining to the Higher Education sector including the trade union actions of the university lecturers. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: ACLDI protest in Fort

All Ceylon Livestock Development Instructors' (ACLDI) union today staged a protest in front of the Fort railway station urging the authorities to take steps to develop the Livestock productivity. Pix and video by Kithsiri de Mel

This is where the funds come from

Veteran Trade Union leader Bala Thampoe donated funds worth Rs. 500,000 to the FUTA at a ceremony held today. Thampoe made this donation on behalf of the trade unions he represents. Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr. Mahim Mendis accepted the donation on behalf of the University dons. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Elephants bathing session in Lake Leman

Dehli, Ceylon and MaPalaj, Indian elephants of the Swiss national circus Knie, swim in Lake Leman during an organised bathing session in Lausanne October 2, 2012. Each year the three elephants of the circus enjoy a refreshing bath in the lake during the warm late summer days. REUTERS

Increase salary by Rs.13, 442.50

The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) distributed leaflets to the public in front the Fort Railway Station today urging the government to increase the salaries of public servants by Rs.13, 422.50. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pass Divi Neguma bill

Samurdhi Officers and recipients today staged a protest in front of the Trincomalee Provincial Secretariat office urging the council to pass the Divi Neguma bill. The bill was taken up at the Council sessions today. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

Fuel Bowser crashes into transformer

A bowser transporting fuel crashed into an electrical transformer near the Open University this morning. The collision caused serious injuries to the driver and heavy damage to the transformer. The injured driver was admitted to the Kalubowila hospital and is in a critical condition. Mirihana police are conducting further investigations. Pix by Tillekaratne Dissanayake

Preparing for 63rd Army Day

The 63rd Army Day celebrations began with the blessings of the flags at the Annuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhiya under the patronage of Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya. The Army Day falls on October 10. Picture courtesy SL Army

Walking protest to mark Children’s Day

The Women for Rights organization staged a walking protest today from Technical Junction to Colombo Fort to coincide with World Children’s Day, stressing the need to establish a just society for children. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Britisher

Another 91 tickets were found hidden inside the underwear of the Britisher who is alleged to have stolen 84 ICC World Cup T20 tickets from the Thurstan College playground ticket counter on Sunday, police informed court today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating children’s day

A ceremony organized by the Ministry of Public Relations and Public Affairs was held today at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to celebrate the World Children’s Day. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Mervyn Silva also participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A tense situation in Vidyaloka Vidyalaya

A tense atmosphere was reported this morning at the Galle Vidyaloka Vidyalaya due to a protest against the newly appointed principal. Pix by D.G. Sugathapala and Sajeewa Wijeweera

Dog Show…

A dog show, organised by the Blue Paw Trust and the Colombo Municipal Council was held at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) premises today. An Air Force dog display was also held during the event. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah

Sanga...

Kumar Sangakkara plays a shot during the Sri Lanka v West Indies match at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday. Photo Getty Images

Mass support for free education

People turned out in their thousands today to support the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) rally at Hyde Park. Here political leaders and the public listen to one of the many speeches made at the meeting. Pix by Samantha Perera

Fighting for a cause

University lecturers, civil society movements, political groups and students joined today in Colombo, for the protest march organized by the University lecturers. The protesters demand that the government spend 6% of the GDP towards the countries education with the main slogan of the protestors being “ Save state education”

Road closed

Roads that were closed due to the protest at Town Hall.

TNA members take oaths

The eleven provincial council members of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) who were elected to the Eastern provincial council took oaths before TNA leader R. Sampanthan today at the Trincomalee Town Hall. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

Attempt to smuggle items of historical value thwarted

Five Sri Lankans who attempted to smuggle out ancient coins, ornaments, and various other items of historical values belonging to the Polonnaruwa reign and periods of Dutch and Portuguese rule, by concealing in their baggage were arrested this evening at the Bandaranaike International Airport by the customs authorities. (Pix by By Deepa Adikari)