Vap Full Moon Poya Day

Our photographer captured devotees today at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo observing religious rituals. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi  

Paying their last respects

The funeral of Former Parliamentarian and Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra is to be held tomorrow at the Umagiliya Grounds in Kolonnawa. A large number supporters and politicians were seen paying their last respects to the veteran politician. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Blood donation

A blood donation campaign was held today at the Gangaramaya Viharaya organised by the 2008 A/L students of Ananda College in collaboration with the second year students of the Management Faculty of the University of Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Supporters gather to mourn Bharatha

A large number of supporters of Former Parliamentarian and Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, gathered at the place where the shooting took place on Saturday and condemned the killing of Premachandra. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ranil and Muzammil discuss plans

Colombo Mayor Elect A. J. M. Muzammil points out something to UNP leader Ranil Wicktremesighe at a media conference which they held today together with the party hierarchy in Colombo today. Pic By Pradeep Pathirana

UPFA acknowledges victory

The United Peoples Freedom Alliance leaders; Minister of Youth Affairs Dullas Alahapperuma, General Secretary of the UPFA Susil Premajayantha and General Secretary of the SLFP Maithreepala Sirisena at a press conference earlier today to acknowledge their sweeping victory at the recently concluded local government elections. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Mayor elected to CMC

Council A. J. M. Muzammil comes out of a vote counting centre, together with his supporters after he was elected to the council. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Duminda’s office set on fire

The Kolonnawa office of parliamentarian Duminda Silva was attacked by an unknown group last night and a Land Rover Defender Jeep belonging to the MP was also set on fire. Tight security is in place in the area following the shooting which took place on Saturday evening in Mulleriyawa. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Bharatha's remains brought to Kolonnawa

The remains of presidential advisor and former parliamentarian Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was brought to his residence in Kolonnawa this morning. Tight security is in place in the area following the shooting which took place on Saturday evening in Mulleriyawa. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Ranil greets Muzammil

A. J. M. Muzammil who is expected to become the next Mayor of Colombo is being greeted by Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesighe at the latter's residence down 5th Lane in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Patjhiraja

Reaction to death of Bharatha

Former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was killed today, October 8, 2011, following a shootout in the Mulleriyawa area. Pictures show emotional crowds gathered outside the General Hospital upon hearing about his death. Pix by Shantha Rathnayaka and Jayamal Chandrasiri

Gun battle in Mulleriyawa, tension in the area

Following the shootout that took place in the Mulleriyawa area, people at polling booths in the area set fire to two police vehicles, an unconfirmed report stated. The tension in the area continues and a curfew has been imposed. Former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was killed in the shootout while MP Duminda Silva is undergoing surgery. Pix by Shantha Rathnayaka and Jayamal Chandrasiri

At polling booths today

Our photograhers captured voters outside polling booths where the Local Government Elections were held today, October 8, 2011. Pic by Romesh Danushka Silva

Ballot boxes to polling booths

Election officials are seen at the Borella D.S. Senanayake College preparing to send out ballot boxes to polling booths for local council elections. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Monks protest

A group of monks held a protest by blocking the road in front of the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs today, demanding to expel the secretary and an additional secretary for failing to stop the spreading of unethical conversions and failing to stop private temples such as the temple in Kollupitiya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Ranil appeals for a violence free election

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremsnghe, who appealed for a violence free election tomorrow is seen here about to take his seat at a media conference today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

National Health Walk

The Ministry of Health organised a walk from the Ministry to the Viharamahadevi Park to coincide with National Health Week. The walk was organised to create awareness about non-communicable diseases. Pix by  Waruna Wanniarchchi

Army Commander at All Saints Church

A religious ceremony was held at the All Saints Church in Borella this evening to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army. Flags of 466 regiments of the Army were blessed during the ceremony which was held under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Pix by Indraratane Balasuriya

Tissa Attanayake’s biography

Tissa Attanayake presented his biography to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today. The book was written by Nihal Chandrakumara. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

Flowers and an iPad showing a picture of Steve Jobs are placed at a makeshift memorial for Steve Jobs at the Apple headquarters on October 5, 2011 in Cupertino, California. Jobs, 56, passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976 and is credited, along with Steve Wozniak, with marketing the world's first personal computer in addition to the popular iPod, iPhone and iPad. AFP

State sector physical fitness programme

The pilot project of the state sector physical fitness programme was conducted this morning under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Sports Ministry grounds. The programme will be conducted 1 ½ hours weekly at the grounds.Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Happy Teachers’ Day

Students of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya are seen here getting ready to celebrate the World Teachers’ Day. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Campaigning comes to an end

Election campaigning comes to an end from midnight today. Elections are to be held in 23 Local Government bodies. The police have already commenced removing election propaganda materials.

A new look for Dehiwala-Mt Lavinia

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka is seen having a light moment at the function held today to describe the future plans of the government to develop the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia municipality to a sustainable and greener area. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Visual Arts conducted students speak-up against Malabe

The student union of the University of Visual and Performing Arts conducted a protest outside the university today, against the Malabe Private University, the support given to it by the Higher Education Ministry and the University Grants Commission, and the short-comings of the university faced by the students. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Attack could damage medical profession in SL: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers Association today held a press conference on the attack against the Registrar of the Sri Lanka Medical Council. The GMOA said the attack was unacceptable and that such attacks against eminent doctors could severely damage the medical profession in Sri Lanka. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Army Commander at Shivam Kovil

  A religious ceremony was held at the Shivam Kovil in Kotahena today to commemorate the 62nd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army. Flags of 466 regiments of the Army were blessed during the ceremony, which was held under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Ranil refreshes himself

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesighe refreshing himself with the cool drink offered to him by a pavement hawker in Colombo Fort yesterday. Mr. Wickkremesighe spent some time with the hawkers at Main Street today. (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)

Annual volunteer Navy Camp 2011

The Sri Lanka Navy held its annual volunteer camp to uplift the skills, increase efficiency and develop attitudes of personnel. The camp started on September 17 and concluded today under the patronage of Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake, in Welisara. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Motor Show-2011

Motor Show 2011, the largest automobile event in Sri Lanka organised by Asia Exhibition and Conventions (Pvt) Ltd commenced on Saturday. The event continued throughout the weekend. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana