UBF on party leadership

The president of the UNP led United Bhikku Front (UBF), Ven. Metiyagoda Gunaratana Thera speaks to the media urging the UNP leader to solve the issues about the leadership of the party. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

CMC celebrates Deepavali

After the Local Government election for the Municipal councils, Colombo District Municipal Council Mayor (CMC) A. J. M. Muzammil today celebrated the Deepavali festival at the Colombo CMC. Colombo Municipal Council's Commissioner Badrani Jayawardena also participated this occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Royal visit

Britain's Queen Elizabeth signs the visitors book at the new Royal Children's Hospital as Prince Phillip looks on in Melbourne October 26, 2011. Queen Elizabeth is in Australia for an eleven-day official visit. REUTERS

Today is Deepavali

Deepavali a festival celebrated by Hindus all over the worlds and popularly known as the festival of lights falls today. This festival has a sublime significance, for it symbolises the victory of good forces over evil forces. The picture shows Hindu devotees talking part in religious rituals in light of the Deepavali Festival at the New Kathiresan Kovil in Bambalapitiya. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Policemen rewarded

Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K Illangakone handed over Rs.13.6 million to 240 persons including officers from the CID and civilians who assisted in conducting investigations over the Central Bank bomb blast in 1996 and for contributing in resolving conflicts, helping investigations and tracking down suspects. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

14-day-old baby rescued alive

Rescue workers carry a baby from a collapsed building in Ercis, near the eastern Turkish city of Van, October 25, 2011. A 14-day-old baby was rescued alive from the rubble of a collapsed building on Tuesday, 46 hours after an earthquake struck southeast Turkey, a Reuters Television journalist said. REUTERS

Released after rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry today handed over 367 LTTE activists to their relations at an occasion held at the Rama Krishna Hall in Wellawatta. Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathna, Cabinet Minister and the Leader of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party, Douglas Devananda and Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, Chandrasiri Gajadeera graced the occasion. Pix by Samantha Perera

World Spice Food Festival 2011

A media briefing was held on October 24, to announce the commencement of the World Spice Food Festival 2011, which will get underway from October 28 to November 9, in Colombo. This year’s event will see the participation of some of the worlds’ best chefs who will work alongside their local counterparts, to unleash an eclectic selection of flavours, for the culinary pleasure of all. The festival also includes a Hawker Street style conc

JVP urges govt. to grant concessions

The JVP today held a protest rally outside the Fort Railway Station to urge the government to grant concessions to the people as promised in the previous budget. Protesters are seen braving the heavy rain and shouting slogans. Pix by Samantha Perera

“An opportunity for investment”

An exhibition is being held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), named Technology Marketplace (TM). It is being organised by the Ministry of Technology and Research (MoTR).  The exhibition will be held from October 24 to 25, 2011. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Strong earthquake hits Turkey

Rescue workers work to save people trapped under debris after an earthquake in Ercis, near the eastern Turkish city of Van, early October 24, 2011. More than 100 people were confirmed killed and hundreds more feared dead on Sunday when the powerful earthquake hit southeast Turkey, flattening buildings and leaving survivors crying for help from under the rubble. REUTERS

Tribute to a great statesman

Mayantha Dissanayake helping his son to pay floral tributes to his father the late Gamini Dissanayake at a ceremony held to mark the 17th death anniversary of the late minister yesterday. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

All Blacks win Rugby World Cup

New Zealand's All Blacks pulled off a historic 8-7 victory against France, taking the Rugby World Cup in front of a home crowd and winning the title of world champions for the first time in 24 years. New Zealand All Blacks captain Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis cup after the 2011 Rugby World Cup final match New Zealand vs France at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland. AFP

Protecting lives and property from fire

A fire drill was held today to educate the employees of Sri Lanka Insurance and the thousands of daily clientele patronising the services of the company at ‘Rakshana Mandiraya’. The drill looked into fire fighting methods and life saving strategies which will be useful in a sudden break of a fire. The Sri Lanka Air Force, Army, Police and Fire brigade unit of the Colombo Municipality participated in the programme. Pix by Pradeep Pat

Successful liver transplant

A team of doctors successfully performed the first ever liver transplant, where the liver of a mother who was alive and well was transplanted in her daughter at a private hospital in Colombo. Medical professionals said the 20-hour surgery was carried out at Nawaloka Hospital and was considered a milestone in the management of chronic liver disease in Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Taking wings

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is being welcomed by SriLankan Airlines stewardesses at the opening of the flight simulator training academy. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

“Gaddafi killed”

A man purported to be Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is seen in this still image taken from video footage October 20, 2011. Gaddafi was killed on Thursday as Libya's new leaders declared they had overrun the last bastion of his long rule, sparking wild celebrations that eight months of war may finally be over. Details of the death near Sirte of the fallen strongman were hazy but it was announced by several officials of the National Transitiona

Urging for management faculty

The Peradeniya University Students' Union (PSU) organised a protest today in front of the University Grant Commission (UGC) urging the Higher Education Ministry to setup a management faculty for them. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Taking oaths

Newly elected Local Government (LG) Municipal Council members from the districts of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla took oaths at the UNP Headquarters, Sirikotha today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

JVP proposals for the budget

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) presented proposals for the forthcoming budget at the JVP headquarters, Rajagiriya today. The picture shows the JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva at the press briefing. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

“The Film South Asia Representative”

Young Asia Television (YA TV) in partnership with Film South Asia Secretariat, Nepal and the India-Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo organised, “The Film South Asia Representative” this evening at the Indian Cultural Centre Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

NASCAR sprint cup series

Clint Bowyer, driver of the #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 15, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. AFP

Demanding permanency

The All Island Acting Principles Union today staged a protest in front of the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, urging the government on prior information with regard to trade union action demanding permanency for Acting Principals’ and Principals covering up duties.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

“S.O.S. Rescate Fauna Marina”

The head of the NGO “S.O.S. Rescate Fauna Marina” Richard Tesore feeds a female baby La Plata dolphin (Pontoporia Blainvillei) in the sea of Piriapolis, 90 km (56 miles) to the east of Montevideo, October, 2011. The dolphin, with its umbilical cord still attached, was found beached near Montevideo city and was sent to the NGO. REUTERS

After struck the Astrolabe Reef

The tanker Awanuia and a tug boat carry out operations to pump oil from the stricken container ship Rena, about 14 nautical miles (22 km) from Tauranga, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island October 2011, 13 days after it struck the Astrolabe Reef. Rough weather on Tuesday forced salvage teams to halt pumping oil from the stricken container ship in what has turned into the country's worst environmental disaster in decades. Pic

Accident in Akurana

A container lorry transporting a consignment of 500 tons of cement ran off the road at the Seventh Mile Post in Akurana on the Matale- Kandy Road and went down a slope causing extensive damage to a house and a shop early this morning. The lorry was wrecked in the incident but no one was injured. Investigations are being conducted. Pix  by Mohamed Asik

Brought for identification

The official bodyguard of Parliamentarian Duminda Silva who allegedly shot former Parliamentarian and Presidential Advisor on Trade Union Affairs Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was brought to court under cover from prisons to be produce before an identification parade today. Pix by Samantha Perera.

Muzammil as Mayor of the CMC

A.J.M. Muzammil was sworn in today as the Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council at Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s  office. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

What…?

Leader of opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at a media conference today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Where the bullets hit

With the health condition of parliamentarian Duminda Silva improving, it has been revealed that there are no major damages to his brain