Hit and run driver surrenders to police

The hit and run driver Lalin Priyaratne is seen at the Colombo Traffic Court.  Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: BRING BACK OUR GIRLS

Several delegates including a Nigerian girl staged a protest during the ongoing World Youth Conference at the BMICH in Colombo over the abduction of more than 200 girls in Nigeria by the extremist militants Boko Haram. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Site visit

The United States Ambassador in Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison visited the Rajagalathenna sacred site in Ampara today. The Embassy has provided US$ 100,000 to develop the site. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala & C. Liyanaarachchi

Getting ready for Vesak

A woman is seen sewing Buddhist flags at a shop in Dematagoda in preparation to celebrate Vesak next week. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Anti-smoking march

An anti-smoking march organised by the Kotte Municipal Council was held today from Anagarika Dharmapala Statue in Rajagiriya to Siri Parakum gardens, Kotte. Health Minister Mitripala Sirisena and Parliamentarian Duminda Silva participated in the march. Pix by Pradeep pathirana

Wishes from the Acting AG

Acting Attorney General and Senior Additional Solicitor General, Mrs. Bimba Tillekeratne PC wishes newly appointed President’s Counsel Additional Solicitor General Mr Navaratne Bandara and Additional Solicitor General, Mrs Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe after they took oaths in the Supreme Court today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Uni. students protest at Temple Trees

The Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) and the Undergraduates of the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) Degree Programme students staged a protest march this evening in front of the Temple Trees on the Galle Road. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ravana Balaya wants “religious police” out

The Ven. Ittekande Saddhatissa Thera, who is the convener of the Ravana Balaya organisation today handed over a letter to Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardana requesting that the “religious police” be removed before Vesak Poya Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Another train collision in Aluthgama

A train from Kosgoda collided with another train that was parked at the Aluthgama station, causing minor injuries to two persons in the early hours today. The Railway Control room said that the train service along the coastal railway line could be distrupted. Pix by Sarath Siriwardena and Pinsiri Perera

Falling boulder kills lorry driver

A huge boulder that rolled down a steep hill fell on a lorry parked below to load metal at a quarry in Welipenna today. Pix by Ratnasiri Premalal

Video: World Conference on Youth 2014

The World Conference on Youth 2014 commenced today at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center this morning. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Who is above President?

With six days to the crucial court ruling on 80% pictorial warning on cigarette packets, Colombo walls were splattered with posters today questioning as to who is stopping the implementation of 80% pictorial warning which has been strongly endorsed by the President, the Cabinet of Ministers including Minister of Health, all Parliament members, religious dignitaries and the general public. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Road awareness programme

A road safety programme organised by the Rajagiriya President’s College held today to make people aware of road signs. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi 

We want to know

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya and JVP frontliner K.D. Lalkantha seen signing a public petition calling for the introduction of the Right to Information Act at a campaign held outside the Fort Railway Station today. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Vesak message on Three-wheelers

Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon is seen pasting stickers on a three-wheeler which carries religious messages in view of Wesak at a function held at Battaramulla today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Final rehearsal of WYS

The final rehearsal for the 15th World Youth Summit was conducted at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Conference Hall in Hambantota today. Here, Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Dulles Alahapperuma at the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Lighting up for Vesak

With Vesak not many days away, an electrician is seen fixing bulbs to a Vesak Pandal at Maharagama. The 52-feet tall pandal will be lit with more than 45,000 coloured bulbs.  Pic by Nisal Baduge

Blessings on the country

Invoking blessings on the country, President, Government and all, a record four-digit number of Buddhist monks who assembled at the BMICH premises on yesterday evening chanted the  'Jaya Pirith' and appealed celestial powers to help the country's forward march, dispelling all challenges and setbacks posed to the Nation

Video: Demanding justice

The UNP today staged a protest outside the Hambanthota police station urging the immediate arrest of the Hambantota Mayor Eraj Ravindra Fernando who was behind the attack on UNP MPs who visited the Hambantota Port and the Mattala Airport last month. Pix by Pradeep pathirana

Musaeus Triathlon 2014

The past and present pupils and teachers of Musaeus College, Colombo 7 took to streets this morning with Musaeus Triathlon 2014 that started near Nelum Pokuna. It was culminated with a mini fair held at Bloomfield cricket grounds. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Rivals in Court

Parliamentarian Duminda Silva and Western provincial councilor Hirunika Premachandra are seen leaving the Colombo Magistrate’s court at the conclusion of the case into the killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Blessings before departure

Sri Lankan Cricketers are seen performing religious rituals at the Sri Lanka Cricket Office before leaving for the ODI tour of Ireland and England. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: An act of honour

Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi is seen paying her respects to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the guest of honour at the SLFP’s May Day celebrations that was held at Nelum Pokuna in Colombo. Thousands of people took to the streets in Colombo from across the country to mark the International Workers Day today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.

Colombo deserted

The Colombo City was deserted today because of the May Day holiday and the several road closures to facilitate the workers’ rallies organized by political parties and other organisations. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

21st death anniversary of R. Premadasa

The 21st death anniversary of the late president Ranasinghe Premadasa was commemorated today at his statue at Keselwatta. Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa and his family members participated at the event. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

May Day rallies 2014

Cost of labour

A labourer pulls a cart laden with sacks of vegetable at the main market in Colombo today on the eve of International Labour Day. Trade unions are promising to turn the May Day rallies into protests against the country’s high cost of living. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Wes Mangalyaya in Welikada

A Kandyan dancing ceremony (Wes Mangalyaya) was held today by 26 imamates of the Welikada Prison for the 18th time at the prison premises. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

UL flying high

National carrier SriLankan Airlines joined the global Oneworld Alliance today, becoming the 15th member of the group which includes some of the top names in the passenger airline industry today.  Pix by Samantha Perera

Train tragedy

The Palai bound Intercity Express train from Colombo collided with the Matara bound Rajarata Regina express train which had been halted on the main platform at the Potuhera railway station this morning. The injured were admitted to the Kurunegala and Polgahawela hospitals. Pix by Pushpakumara Jayaratne and Ishan Madusanka