Container carrying red sandalwood

The 20-foot container containing four metric tonnes of red sandalwood was seized by Customs today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

UNP discuss budget

UNP MPs are seen discussing the budget over a cup of tea with Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe at his office in the parliamentary complex. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Tea party after budget

Parliamentarians attended the traditional tea party, which is held after the budget speech. The president is seen talking to one of the guests. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Rs.43mn worth illicit cigarettes seized

Illicit cigarettes valued at Rs. 43 million were seized by the Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) at the Orugodawatte warehouse today. This is the largest stock of illicit fags to be detected in the country. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

President all set for Budget 2014

An upbeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen making his way to the parliament chamber to present the 2014 Budget. Pix by pradeep Pathirana

Sadaham Sewana senior citizens workshop

The Rajagiriya Sadaham Sewana International Buddhist Centre and the Human Rights Foundation today organised its annual senior citizens’ workshop, which includes several aesthetic activities. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Video: Budget demands

Members of the Trade Union Coordinating Centre (TUCC) today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station in Colombo highlighting twenty one demands put forward by them in relation to the budget to be presented tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana ???

Against privatisation of universities

The Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) held a protest outside the Fort Railway Station today over the privatisation of universities and the violation of students’ rights. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Undergrads demand rights

The Colombo University Students’ Union staged a protest today near the University over several issues, including hostel facilities. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

TUCC protest at Borella

The Trade Union Coordinating Center (TUCC) staged a poster protest at the Borella Junction today urging action to 21 demands from the budget for the next year. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: BBS protest

A tense situation prevailed outside the United National Party (UNP) headquarters Sirikotha today when Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) monks and supporters staged a protest over the attack on BBS monks last week inside Sirikotha. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Villagers in a tussle with STF

Police riot squad fired tear gas to disperse villagers who were protesting along the Ampara - Kalmunai Road over a dispute with the STF. Pix by Kumara C. Liyanaarachchi, Wasantha Chandrapala

President visits Gangaramaya temple

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Gangaramaya temple this evening and engaged in religious observances to mark his 68th birthday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Defence Secretary donates house

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today donated a house to a low income family in Madiwela under a project of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Elephants take them for a ride

Thirty three French beauties competing in the Miss France 2014 pageant are in Sri Lanka as part of a pre-pageant tour. They are seen riding on an elephant at the Cinnamon Lodge Hotel in Habarana. Pix by Manoj Ratnayake

A warm birthday at Nuwara Eliya

Prince Charles visited the 172-year-old Mackwoods Tea Factory at Labukale in Nuwara Eliya, yesterday and celebrated his 65th Birthday.  He was welcomed by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in United Kingdom Dr. Chris Nonis. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Curtain Call

President Mahinda Rajapaksa looks on as Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma walks in to address the concluding news conference of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held at the BMICH today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Abbott, Gotabaya visit Sayura

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited Sri Lanka Navy vessel Sayura this morning at Colombo Port. Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayanath Colambage participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana 

Devotees observe IL Poya

Devotees gathered at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo today and engaged in religious activities to mark IL Poya Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Prince visits Kandy

Children were seen eagerly greeting Prince Charles when he visited the Temple of Tooth in Kandy yesterday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Spouses of Commonwealth Heads at Gangarama

Spouses of Commonwealth Heads of the Government and other delegates visited the Gangarama Temple today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Engrossed in conversation

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, seen in a conversation at the ‘Seventh Commonwealth Federation Sports Breakfast’ at Waters Edge in Battaramulla today. Pix by presidential media unit

Miss France 2014 contestants in SL

Thirty three contestants who qualified for the Miss France 2014 Finale along with reigning Miss France Marine Lorphelin who is also the first runner up in 2013 Miss World arrived in Sri Lanka today on a tour. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Roads closed today

Elephants also play a part

Elephants bearing national flags of Commonwealth member-countries welcomed each of the representatives as they walked into the BMICH today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Macrae faces another obstacle

Channel-4 journalist Callum Macrae is seen speaking to the media after he was refused entrance to this evening’s media briefing at the BMICH at which president Mahinda Rajapaksa was also present. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

MR showing the way

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen conducting His Royal Highness Prince Charles to his seat prior to the start of the inaugural session of the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Nelum Pokuna Theatre this morning. Pix by presidential media unit

Chairing another ' chair'

CHOGM executive session 1 was held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center under the chairmanship of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The CHOGM inauguration was held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Deyata Sevana

Chief Justice Mohan Peris today planted a Gooseberry (Nelli) sapling at the premise of the Supreme Court to mark the ‘Deyata Sevana’ National Tree-Planting Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Taking over

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya is seen signing a document after assuming duties as the Chairman of the party’s Leadership Council at the UNP headquarters ‘Sirikotha’ today. UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake are also present. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana