Puttalam lagoon dries out

Five hundred thousand people have faced difficulties even finding drinking water in Puttalam area due to the prevailing drought. The water level in Puttalam lagoon has drastically reduced as never happened before. Stretch of 3 km in the lagoon has dried out at Karaba area on the Puttalam road killing thousands of sea shells. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Mars science laboratory

Pete Theisinger, Mars Science Laboratory project manager from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, poses with a model of the Curiousity rover and the rover's descent stage after a news conference at JPL in Pasadena, Calfiornia August 2, 2012. The Curiousity rover will descend on cables from a sky crane as it prepares to land on Mars, August 5, 2012. REUTERS

Media Freedom in South Asia

Journalists and other media activists listen to a speech delivered by Kanak Mani Dixit on Media Freedom in South Asia, at an event held yesterday at the Sri Lanka Press Institute. (Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya)

Esala Perahara comes to an end

Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela today handed over the “Sannas Pathraya” to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to formally announce the end of the Kandy Esala Perahera (the festival of the tooth). Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Give us justice

A large number of parents and students staged a protest march to the University Grants Commission (UGC) this afternoon urging the government to resolve the Z- score issue. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

40,000 acres of paddy cultivation at risk

Forty thousand acres of paddy cultivation are at the risk of being destroyed due to lack of rains during the last six months in the Northern Province, Provincial irrigation director Sivapana Sundaram Visudaram said. Of the paddy fields under threat 11000 acres are in Vavuniya, 10000 acres in Kilinochchi, 3200 acres in Mannar and 15800 acres in Mulativu. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Allocate 6% of GDP for education

The Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) at a news conference held at the library service auditorium today urged the government to allocate six per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the education sector. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Final Randoli Perahera

Donned in ceremonial attire, Nedungamuwe Raja Tusker, with the casket containing the Sacred Relic, coming out of the Sri Dalada Maligawa  for the final Randoli Perahera in Kandy, tonight. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Last day of Randoli Perahara

Tonight is the last night of the Kandy Randoli Perahera and pictures show the preparation of elephants for the final night. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Religious observances

Devotees at the Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya observing religious rituals to mark the Nikini Full moon Poya day. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Awarding excellence

Four journalists from the Daily Mirror won four awards at the Journalism Awards for Excellence ceremony 2011 held at the Mt. Lavinia Hotel Tuesday evening.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Relocation project

Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa explains a point to a resident when he was encountered with a question. Rajapaksa was present at an event to address residents who are to be relocated under the redevelopment programme of the Kompannaweediya area. Imprerial Builders and Developers and Builders, a Karachchi-based company, are investing in the programme. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

GEU protest march

Graduate Employees' Union (GEU) staged a protest march today from Campbell Park Borella to the Ministry of Public Administrations and Home Affairs urging the authorities to resolve their problems. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Tanks in Vanni drying up

Ninety Three out of hundred irrigation tanks are at the risk of drying out due to the prevailing drought experienced in the Vavuniya District.  Irrigation department officials forecast that if the drought continues, tanks will go completely dry within few days. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Docs in NWP in token strike

The government doctors belonging to the North Western Provincial Council area have launched a token strike today, protesting over issues with their telephone facilities.

Hindu Ceremony to commemorate airmen

A Hindu religious ceremony was held at the Kappittawatta Shivam Kovil today to commemorate the air force soldiers who were killed in the battle. Air vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama was also present at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Cartoon of the day

Indian team meets High Commissioner

High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha today met the Indian cricket team at the Indian house, Colombo and hosted them to a dinner. The High Commissioner wished the team success for the remainder of the series. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Students’ election in Naula

A students’ parliament election was held at Naula Sri Naga national school today, according to a circulation issued to schools by the Education Department. 1237 students from grade six to thirteen were eligible to vote at the election. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Four ministries to develop Welioya

Four ministries have taken initiatives to develop resettlement villages in the Welioya area. Accordingly Economic Development ministry, Ministry of Resettlements, Housing and Engineering Service ministry, and the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management have contributed in the development of infrastructure facilities in the area. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Editors meet the president

Electronic and Print media editors met the president at temple trees today. Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, G.L. Peiris, Basil Rajapaksa, S.B.Dissanayaka and several Ministerial secretaries and Electronic and Print media editors were present at this occasion.Pix by Sudath Silva

“Give us solutions”

Students of the Engineering faculty of the University of Moratuwa staged a protest today in front of the university premises urging the government to provide solutions to the students aggrieved by the Z- Score fiasco and the other internal university matters. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Forest Fire

A 10 acre forest belonging to Forest Conservation Department (FCD) in Diganpathaha, Sigiriya caught fire last evening. The police and FCD officers managed to douse the fire. The picture shows the police attempting to douse the fire. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

JHU convention

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) held their 9th convention today at the Maharagama Youth Centre and appointed new office bearers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Before the Perehara…

Elephants, who are participating in the Kandy Randoli Perahera are seen having a bath hours before the start of the Perahera. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Water cutting ceremony…

The water cutting ceremony of the Mayurapathi Kovil, Wellawatte was held this morning in the Wellawatte seas, with the participation of a large number of devotees. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating...

Suresh Raina is congratulated by Irfan Pathan after India's victory off the last over, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd ODI, Colombo, on Saturday. Photos/AFP

Offering honey...

The Veddah chief Vanniala Attho is seen here offering bee honey and bee combs to the sacred tooth relic. The Veddah community traditionally offers bee honey and combs during the Kandy historic Esala Perahera to the Sacred tooth relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah

Video: ‘Conserve energy today to brighten up tomorrow’

A walk aimed at educating the public in the conservation of energy was organized by the Ceylon Electricity Board today. President Mahinda Rajapaksa took part the walk to show his support. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Work in progress

A worker toiling at the Sapugaskanda oil refinery to make ends meet during the shutdown of the refinery for maintenance and modernization purposes. The oil refinery which was closed on July 2 will be reopened on August 5.  Pic by Kushan Pathiraja