Video: Sathyagraha campaign to demand resumption of lectures

United Students’ Organization of the University of Colombo staged a sathyagraha campaign today, in front of the University Grants Commission demanding a solution for the university academics’ issues in order to resume academic activities in universities. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Health Unions stage protest

The Health Service Alliance staged a protest today in front of the Health Ministry over Bribery and Corruption allegations against the Health Service Director General. They urged the government to take disciplinary action against him Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Rishad in court

Minister Rishad Bathiudeen is seen amidst his supporters at the Court of appeal today after hearing of the case for contempt. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Service Constitution blow to Diploma holders

Higher National Diploma holders in accounting and commerce today staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs urging amendments in the new service constitution. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Lankan pilgrims return from TN

Group of Sri Lankan pilgrims, who were attacked in Trichi in Tamil Nadu,while on a pilgrimage to famous Velakkani Church arrived safely in Sri Lanka early this morning. Picture shows some of the pilgrims who arrived at the airport. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Commemorating the police

The 146th Police Day was marked today by the Police Department at the Police Park in Bambalapitiya under the patronage of Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K Illangakone. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

New look

Hirunika Premachandra is pictured here walking to the Colombo Magistrates court, when the case of the murder of her father was taken up today. pix By Kushan Pathiraja

Tied with gold

Two Lankan nationals who attempted to smuggle gold biscuits valued at Rs. 18 million to Mumbai were arrested early this morning by customs officials. The two suspects had attempted to smuggle the gold biscuits weighed at 3.06kg by tying them to their persons. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Students outside the Supreme Court

Students who became the victims of Z-score muddle were present at the Hulftsdorp High Courts today to appear for the case filed by them to seek redress.(Pradeep Dilrukshana)

Inter Prisons Athletic Championships

The Inter Prisons Athletic Championships was held today at the Wesley College grounds. The championship is held every year and restricted only to the employees of the prison department. Two events for the inmates were also held. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Police Walk to mark 146th Police Day

To mark the 146th Police Day which will be marked tomorrow, the Police Walk was held today from Galle Face to Police Park. Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K Illangakone led the walk and more than 5000 officers and policemen representing all the divisions and branches of the police department participated in the walk. Pix by Kushan Pathiriaja

Seeing through a century

An exhibition cricket match was played yesterday to mark the century celebrations of the School of the Visually Handicapped in Ratmalana. The cricket match was played at the S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia cricket grounds. Sri Lankan cricketer and former Captain Kumar Sangakkara also graced the event. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

MR and CBK pay last respects

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga paid their last respects to the late Mahanayake of the Ramanna Nikaya, the Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thera in Meerigama on two separate occasions. Pic by Pushpakumara Mallawarachchi

Religious observances at Kelani Viharaya

Devotees at the Kelani  Rajamaha Viharaya in religious observances  to mark the Binara full moon Poya day. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

No coup in Maldives...

Maldivian Minister of human resources, youth and sports Mohamed Hussain Shihab and High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives in Sri Lanka speaking during the news conference which was held at the Maldivian High Commission today. (Pradeep Pathirana)

Remains of Maha Nayaka Thera in Mirigama

The remains of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya Mahanayaka most venerable Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thera was today taken from the Jayaratne Florists to the Mirigama Shasana Wardhana Piriwena for the public to pay last respects. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘Ayubowan’

Chinese Defence Minister General Lian Guanglie who visited the Defence Services College in Malay Street today is seen here saying ‘Ayubowan’ to school children when he was greeted by them upon his arrival at the school. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Against animal sacrifice

A press briefing was held in Colombo organised by religious leaders today against the animal sacrifice at the Munneswaram Kali Kovil. The pictures show the Public Relations Minister Mervin Silva briefing the media. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Met department warns

Department of Meteorology warned of strong winds in the South of the country during the coming days. A spokesman from the department said speed of the winds could be as high as 80 miles per hour. By Yohan Perera

WT20 trophies arrive in Sri Lanka

Emirates, the official carrier for the ICC WT2O Sri Lanka 2012, delivered the trophies to the host country at the completion of their global tour. The trophies were paraded in true Twenty2O flamboyance and spirit with elephants, dancers and drummers in ‘Perahera’ style through the streets of Colombo to Independence Square where they were formally received by Sri Lanka Sports Minister Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Sri Lanka Crick

Protest by Ayagama villagers

A group of villages from Ayagama Ratnapura staged a protest outside office of the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General urging the authorities to resolve the Dumbara land dispute. Pix Waruna Wanniarachchi

Uni students protest in Fort

University students today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway station urging the authorities to resolve the university crises. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Pix by Gayan Amarasekera

T-20 trophy arrives

The trophy for the T-20 world cup which is to be held next month in Sri Lanka was brought this morning from Dubai. Pix by Deepa Adikari

JVP Unions protest

The National Trade Union Collective protested today urging the government to take necessary measures to address prevalent issues within the education sector including the demands put forward by the FUTA. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Petition against animal sacrifice

A group of Buddhist monks who were petitioners in a case filed against the rituals of animal sacrifice at the Sri Bhadra Kali Amman Kovil at Munneshwaram is talking with a lawyer near the Supreme Court complex. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Drought in North

More than 34 300 families have been affected due to the prevailing drought in the Northern Province.  Pictures show the dried up wells in the area. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Relatives visit illegal emigres

Parents and loved ones of the people who were arrested while allegedly attempting to illegally travel to Australia by boat visited them at the Negombo Prison on Monday. Here the visitors wait outside the prison gates.Pic by Suminda Sudharshana

Bathiudeen appears before court

Minister of Industries Rishard Bathiudeen who had allegedly threatened the Mannar Magistrate over the phone appeared before courts a short while ago. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Blessings

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today visited the Embilipitiya town and made observations about the development activities in the area. Picture shows students sitting the Grade 5 scholarship examination worshipping the President whom they met on the way.

Final Randoli Perehera of Bellanvila

The final Randoli Perehera of the Bellanvila Rajamaha Viharaya's Esala Festival was held last night on a grand scale for the 62nd year. The casket comprising sacred relics of the Buddha was placed on the gaily decorated Nedungamuwa tusker “Raja” by Viharadhikari Prof. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera. Pix by H.M. Dharmapala and M.S.Perera