Video: Protest over Gaza attack

State sector trade unions staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. They handed over a letter to the Presidential Secretariat. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

BBS after DCD

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organised a news conference in Colombo today to express its views on DCD- contaminated dairy products and on food safety in the country.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Cartoon of the day

Mahela ends Test career on a high

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse shakes hands with cricketer Mahela Jayawardene after victory in the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo today. AFP

Dream comes true to Milton

The family of Milton of Karuwelagaswewa, who had put up a banner to star cricketer Mahela Jayawardene on his retirement from Test cricket was lucky enough to visit the SSC grounds and experience the Test match and meet Mahela Jayawardene. Pix by Isuru Perera

Amid a lot of laughter

BJP Leader Subramanian Swamy, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa are seen in conversation at the Defence Seminar held in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Only a few can go in

A police officer is seen requesting a university student to select a few representatives to enter the University Grant Commission in Colombo during a protest by the Sri Lanka National Union of Students over the removal of the Eastern University’s Trincomalee Campus Rector.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Way to go

Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene is congratulated by his teammate Kumar Sangakkara after scoring a half-century during the fourth day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the SSC. AFP

Guard of honour for Mahela

Mahela Jayawardene, who is playing his last Test match, was accorded a guard of honour by several children, as he entered the field on the second day of the second Test against Pakistanat the SSC. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

India’s Independence Day Celebrations

A Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held at India House in Colombo to mark India’s 68th Independence Day this morning. The Indian High Commissioner and several Indians living here participated in the celebrations. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Mahela dismissed

Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene was dismissed LBW scoring four runs facing 16 deliveries a while ago during the opening day of the second test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskhana

Video: Rebecca’s final journey

The funeral of popular actress Rebecca Nirmalee who died after battling cancer, took place at the Borella General Cemetery this evening amidst a large gathering. The final religious rites were performed at the Art Gallery in Colombo where her remains lay from this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Industrial expo at BMICH

An exhibition of rubber, plastics and manufacturing is being held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Drugs are dangerous

National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) held an awareness campaign at the Colombo Fort Railway Station today. Pictures show railway compartments painted by the NDDCB as part of its campaign. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

No water, why spill gates?

Three spill gates of the Atharagalle Reservoir in Galgamuwa had been stolen and were detected while being transported in a lorry near Daladagama by the Police yesterday.  The gates have been stolen when they were removed for repairs.  Police said the gates were valued at Rs. 450,000. Pix by Sanjeewa Ratnayake

Salutes for a legend

Picture shows a banner that was put up by a family to pay respects to the senior cricketer and former Sri Lanka Cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena on his retirement from Test Cricket. Pix by Shanaka Maliyadda

Protest over Gaza violence

Police today stopped the protest march organized by the Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamath at Maligawatte against the Israeli attack on the Palastine people in the Gaza Strip. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Sangha Council wants Oktoberfest cancelled

Members of the National Sangha Council today met the Commissioner General of the Excise Department and urged him to stop the German (Bavarian) Cultural event Oktoberfest to be held at Havelock Park from October 7 to October 12 saying the fest was against cultural norms of Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ranil meets government press union leaders

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in conversation with the leaders of the government press trade unions in his office today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Protest against high prices

A women’s rights organisation held a protest campaign in front of Fort Railway Station today against the government demanding that prices of essential commodities be brought down. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Revenue workers demand higher salaries

Members of the Inland Revenue Employees’ General Union today staged a petition campaign in front of the Inland Revenue Department demanding salaries increase along and rectification of other salary anomalies. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

2014 Esala Perahera 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. President’s media

A rare quadruplet birth

A rare quadruplet birth took place at the Ninewells Hospital on Sunday (10) morning. The four male infants born to lucky parents Gayan Lakmal and Harshani Mallawarachchi were delivered by Gynecologist Dr. Tyron Dias and are currently in the NICU of the hospital. Pix by Nisal Baduge

UNP MPs check out the train services

UNP MP Ajith P Perera assures commuters hanging on a train at Panadura station that they will take up their concerns with the authorities. The MPs were unable to get in to the train because it was overcrowded. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Indigenous People's Day...

A ceremony to celebrate the indigenous people’s day was held  at Kotabakiniya in Dambana today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Nikini full moon Poya day

The picture shows a devotee at the Gangarama temple taking part in religious observances to mark Nikini full moon Poya today. Pix by Kushan pathiraja

Second to Don…

Kumar Sangakkara scored his 10th double-century during the first test match against Pakistan, Galle today. Pix by AFP and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Annual Wariga Sabha

Sri Lankan Veddas, indigenous community held its annual Wariga Sabha (Council of the Clan) on yesterday coinciding with the World Indigenous day in Uva Province with colorful tribal dancing and songs. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Lawyers seek police protection

Lawyers who appeared for a petition filed by the BASL are leaving the Court premises. The petition was filed by the BASL Executive Committee seeking police protection for its President Upul Jayasuriya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja  

An Asanaghara excavated at Rajagalathenna

Officials of the Archeological Department and the Sri Jayawardena University unearthed an historical ‘Asanaghara’ during the excavation carried out at Rajagalathenna. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala