Against the pro-Eelam confab

A protest by a movement called, National Organizations Alliance, was held in front of the Indian House in Colombo this morning against the pro-Eelam Conference which was planned to be held in Tamil Nadu.

A hit to the galleries?

The final of the CSN National Elle Championships held yesterday at the Sugathadasa Stadium under the patronage of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the chief guest. Pix by Sudath Silva

Six wild boar rescued from well

Six wild boar that had fallen into an abandoned well at the 17th mile post in Karuwalagaswewa were rescued by wild life officers with the assistance of villagers. The officers had to use a  crane to rescue the animals. Pix by Hiran Priyankara

Public protest in Vavuniya

Human Rights Activists organised a public petition in Vavuniya today in pretest over the deaths of the LTTE suspects at the Vavuniya prison and urging the government to release all political prisoners and ensure justice to the IDPs. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

War hero commemorated

Twentieth death anniversary of late Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa was held this morning at the Denzil Kobbekaduwa memorial statue in Jaffna which was organized by the 211th   Brigade. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

JVP protest against Z-score

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today urging the government to solve the Z-score muddle and to provide justice to the students who were disappointed by the Z-score method. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Unemployed graduates

Unemployed graduates today held a demonstration at the Fort Railway Station urging the government to resolve the problems of unemployed youth in the country. Pix by Samantha Perera

OUTA-FUTA protest

Open University Teachers’ Association (OUTA) and the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) today staged a protest at the Parliament grounds today urging the government to stop politicisation and militarisation of universities and to save the public universities. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Second day of Defence Seminar

The second International Defence Seminar organised by the Sri Lanka Army continues for the second day on the theme, “Towards Lasting Peace and Stability”. This is a concept of Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya. It emphasises the role played by the Sri Lanka Army to achieve Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Reconstruction, and Resettlement leading to the resolution of the longstanding conflict through effective Reconciliation. Pix by Kit

Wind power…

The 30MW electricity generated from Wind Mills at Puttalam was released to the national grid this morning. Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka was the Chief Guest at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

AAA...

New number plates bearing three English letters are to be introduced to all new motor vehicles registered in the country, after a lapse of 12 years. Pictured here are the new number plates bearing AAA being made. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest by health services union

The All Ceylon Health Services Union carried out a protest opposite the Ayurveda hospital in Borella today urging the authorities to prevent the privatisation of hospital services, provide promotions, adequate uniform allowances and other benefits that were promised to hospital staff. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Towards lasting peace and stability

The second international defence seminar organised by the Sri Lanka Army began today on the theme, “Towards Lasting Peace and Stability”. This is a concept of Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya. It emphasises the role played by the Sri Lanka Army to achieve Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Reconstruction, and Resettlement leading to the resolution of the longstanding conflict through effective reconciliation. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriy

Wild elephant and a calf rescued

A wild elephant and a baby elephant that went searching for water due to the prevailing drought had fallen into a well in Kela Bogaswewa- Ruwanmaduwa in Vavunia today. They were rescued by the wild life officials with the assistance of soldiers of 56 Brigade. By Romesh Madushanka

Puttalam running dry

More than 400,000 people in the Puttalam district are facing severe hardships with no drinking water due to the prolonged drought. They said they had not yet received any relief under the government’s relief programmes for the drought stricken areas. About 200 tanks and minor irrigation canals that provided drinking water and irrigation facilities have run dry. Meanwhile the crop failure has created a scarcity of food compelling the village

Further remanded…

Colombo Chief Magistrate today remanded the Chairman of Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha V.P Lakshman and his office peon I.P.S. Arachchi till August 21 for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 3 million. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

No offence…

Hirunika Premachandra seen speaking to the media in front of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this morning after attending the court inquiry into the killing of her father Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Against 'healthy' corruption

The Health services Trade Union Alliance and the Trade Union Alliance against corruption and fraud, staged a protest in front of the Health Ministry in Town Hall today, urging authorities to take legal action against corrupt health officials and to nullify the service extension granted to the Director General of Health. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Children from Dambana visit Parliament museum

Children of the Gurukumbura Vidyalaya in Dambana today visited the parliament museum. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Rotten garlic found in Dambulla

The Consumer Affairs Authority today recovered 41,000 kilogrammes of rotten garlic which were on sale at the Dambulla Economic Centre. The Ministry of Internal Trade and Cooperatives said the consignment was completely rotten and is said to be worth Rs 3.5 million. The traders who own the consignment are to be produced before Dambulla Magistrate court.  Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Video: Protest in front of US embassy

The activists of Movement for People’s Struggle staged a protest in front of the United States embassy in Colombo urging the NATO to immediately stop bombing in Syria. The activists who participated in the protest seen here holding placards written with anti- American slogans.  Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Rover Lands on Red Planet‎

In this image from NASA TV, shot off a video screen, one of the first images from a second batch of images sent from the Curiosity rover is pictured of its wheel after it successfully landed on Mars. REUTERS

Dalada Perahara in Vavunia

The annual Sri Dalada Perahara of the Vavunia Sri Dalada Viharaya,where the sacred tooth relic was placed for the first time, paraded the Vavunia- Horowpathana road yesterday. Pix by Romesh Madushanka.

Unseen Colours...

A little boy looking at a picture depicting the impact of domestic violence on children during a photographic exhibition titled ‘Unseen Colours’ organised by the Free Women Organisation and declared open for the public at the Public Library Auditorium today. Pix by  Kushan Pathiraja

In the father’s footsteps

Rehan Goonetilleke, the son of Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke, became an officer (Pilot Officer) of the Sri Lanka Air Force during a passing out parade held at the China Bay SLAF Academy. Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke’s father AVM Harry Goonetillake also commanded the SLAF. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

4/1...

Irfan Pathan celebrates after dismissing Sri Lankan cricketer Jeevan Mendis (R) during the fifth and final one-day international (ODI) match - AFP

The celebration of joy

Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera  celebrates taking the wicket of India's Ajinkya Rahane during their final one-day international (ODI) cricket match in Pallekele  today (August 4). REUTERS

Dudley Senanayake Memorial Oration

A world renowned historian, Professor John Holt William R Kenan Jnr. delivered the fifteenth Dudley Senanayake Memorial Lecture on ‘Political Impacts on Religion in Sri Lanka’ yesterday at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies Auditorium, BMICH Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. The Dudley Senanayake Foundation in co-operation with Für Die Freiheit organized event. Px by Kushan Pathiraja

Annual Theru Festival

The annual Theru Festival of the Colombo Samankodu Shri Kathirvelauthaswamy Kovil was held today. Pictures show devotees participating in religious rituals at the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Motorbikes for provincial managers

Assistant provincial managers of the Paddy Marketing Board were provided with motorbikes today at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute so that they could serve the people in their respective areas more efficiently. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.