FSP protest at Lipton Circus

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) today staged a protest at Lipton Circus, Colombo over the existing fiasco in the country’s education system and call on the government to allocate six percent for the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the education sector. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A salute for yesterday

Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage, the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy assumed duties as the 18thNaval Officer to reach the helm in the 61-year history of the Naval Service. Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage and former Commander Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake are pictured here saluting each other at theNavy Head Quarters today. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Anjali with friends...

Anjali Upeksha Madhuwanthi Rathnayake of Thalathuoya Junior School who also received the highest marks at the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination told Daily Mirror that she did not attend tuition classes but studied what she was taught in school. Seen here Anjali Rathnayake with her friends during a school trip to Galle Face, Colombo today.  (Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana)

Have we passed?

Children of Isipathana College, Colombo 05, together with their parents eagerly look at their year five scholarship examination results which were released today. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Sea of innocence

A group of novice monks are seen here enjoying a sea bath at the Pasikudah beach yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Businessman arrested with contraband

A jewellery businessman from Ambalangoda was arrested with five bags of Ayurvedic medicines brought from Chennai, India without permission from the Health Ministry, by the Katunayaka Airport Customs officers today. Pix by Deepa Adikari

No more displaced people

With the resettlement of the last group of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Northern region’s Mullaitivu district the Menik Farm in Vavuniya would be closed today. Pix by Wanni Romesh Madushanka

Video: Protest over anti Islamic video

A protest march was held today from Bambalapitiya Junction to the US Embassy over the controversial anti-Islamic video made in the US. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

Colombo Fashion Week

The Colombo Fashion Week’s inaugural resort wear show kicked off at Jetwing Lagoon in Negombo on Saturday. Photos by Manoj Ratnayake and Samantha Perera

Jumbo meets tragic death in sewage pit

An elephant which fell into the sewage pit near a house at Wellamudawa area in Thirappane died after struggling for hours to escape. She had fallen into a large sewage pit after crashing through the concrete cover of the pit on last night. Pix by Athula Bandara

German ‘Dharmadutha’ Society

The German Dharmadutha Society celebrated its 60th anniversary today. To mark the anniversary, a religious programme was held at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress with the participation of a large number of members and devotees. The relics casket being brought to the hall from the Athula Dassana Buddhist Centre. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Conditions for SLMC support

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) General Secretary Hassan Ali speaking to the media where he said the SLMC had signed an agreement with the government specifying conditions for SLMC support to set up an UPFA administration in the Eastern Provincial Council. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A march for a worthy cause

The International Day of the deaf was marked with a march from Zahira College to the John De Silva Memorial Hall, with the participation of large number of volounteers.  The peace march was organized by the Western Province Social Services Department and the Central Convention of Deaf Persons in Sri Lanka. Pix by Nisal Baduge

'Cormorant Strike III'

Exercise ‘Cormorant Strike III’, the three-week long joint military exercise, now underway in the East with the participation of 40 foreign military personnel, is reaching its final phase with several daring mock features. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Taking a closer look

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies. Picture shows the President taking a closer look at the sacred relics of the Buddha. Photo courtesy-President’s Media

For a cause?

Several Muslims joined a protest campaign after Friday prayers at the Kollupitiya Jumma mosque in Colombo. The protesters marched towards the US embassy located close to the mosque creating a major traffic jam in the area. Pix by Nisal Badhuge

Malaka and Rehan get bail

Malaka Silva and Rehan Wijeratne, who were remanded on charges of having attacked an army major, are seen leaving the Colombo Magistrate’s Court this morning after they were granted bail. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Saying no to interference

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today staged a protest in front of the UN office in Colombo urging the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navaneetham Pillay not to interfere with the reconciliation process in Sri Lankan. They also handed over a petition to the UN office to be submitted to Navaneetham Pillay. Pix by Nisal Baduge

HIV awareness beyond boundaries

An interactive session between the West Indies cricket team and children identified as vulnerable to HIV was held at the Colts Cricket Club today, as part of the ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign, which was launched to raise awareness on HIV and reduce stigma through the use of cricket and its spirit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

“Release our comrade”

The Inter University Students’ Federation staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today demanding the release of the IUSF convenor Sanjeewa Bandara who was arrested yesterday. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

An auction before the outbreak

Vehicles that were abandoned after the conclusion of the war are pictured here dumped at various vehicle yards in the North. The Government Agents office is planning to auction the vehicles as there can be a break out of dengue, due to rain water contaminating in the vehicles. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Video: Protest by Muslims in Colombo

A massive protest organised by the Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamaath was held in Colombo fort over the movie which has created an uproar by Muslims worldwide. . Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Video: University students protest

Inter University Students’ Federation staged a protest today in front of Fort Railway station urging the authorities to resolve university crisis and recommence studies at universities. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

All smiles

Najeeb A. Majeed, the newly appointed Chief Minister of the EPC met SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem together with other members of the SLMC at Mr. Hakeem‘s residence last night. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

HR activists in Vavuniya

A group of humanitarian activists headed by Hani Megali together with United Nations human rights officials arrived in Vavuniya today to evaluate the process of resettlement and demining in Vavunia and to ascertain whether there is any breach of human rights in civil administration. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Another group of refugees return from India

Seventy two Tamil refugees who had fled to India during the war and lived in refugee camps in South India arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport last evening. Pix by Deepa Adikari

In support of the Divi Neguma Bill

Samurdhi unions today staged a demonstration along the Parliament road in support of the Divi Neguma Bill that was presented to parliament. Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Bandula Gunawardena and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena were also present. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Annual book fair opens at BMICH

The Colombo International Book Fair which is held in September every year coinciding with the literary month commenced today at the BMICH in Colombo. It will be held till next Wednesday (26). Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Against use of arsenic

The all Ceylon Buddhist Congress today organised a media briefing headed by JHU parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana thera, to express their disappointment over the authorities’ inaction towards arsenic content in agrochemicals. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Protest over anti-Islamic video

Residents of Akkaraipattu staged a protest over the anti-Islamic video produced in America. Shops, schools and government institutions were shut down because of the protest. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala