DM participates in Ifthar ceremony

Deputy Minister Faizer Mustafa is seen in conversation with some police officers as he took part in the Ifthar ceremony organized by the Slave Island Police today. Pix by Samantha Perera

Another train derailment

A Kalutara bound train from Maradana derailed this afternoon at the Mount Lavinia Railway Station bringing the train service on the southern coastal line to a standstill. Two compartments of the derailed train blocked the parallel line as well. Pix by H.M.Dharmapala

Mahela notches up 150

Mahela Jayawardene is seen acknowledging the cheers after he scored 150 runs on the second day of the 2nd Test Match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the SSC cricket grounds today. AFP and Pradeep Dilrukshana

A master class inning

Sri Lanka ended the first day of the second Test against South Africa on 305 for the loss of 5 wickets at the SSC today. Mahela Jayawardene's unbeaten 140 helped Sri Lanka recover from early losses. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Call to abolish Executive Presidency

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka, ex-Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake seen at a meeting convened by the National Movement for Social Justice at the New Town Hall in Colombo today urging that the Executive Presidency be abolished. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Train tragedy for coffin

Three persons traveling in a hearse were injured when an oncoming train crashed into it at a rail road. This is yet another accident in a continuing spree of accidents at unguarded railway crossings. Pix by Lal S. Kumara

Largest Motor Track in SL

The largest Motor Track in Sri Lanka was opened yesterday at the Welisara Navy camp followed by a rally event. The opening ceremony was held with the participation of navy’s Sports Director commodore Nevil Sudarshana. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Uni. students protest

University students today staged a protest in Colombo Fort urging the authorities to revoke the decision of the university administrations to suspend the studentship of 28 undergraduates. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Remembering ‘Black July’

Remembering ‘Black July’, the anti-Tamil riots started on July 23 1983, a peace vigil has been organised by a government institution today in Battaramulla. Following the Black July, the country experienced nearly three decades of war against Tamil militant groups who demanded for a separate state. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

“Minnie's Tropical Splash”

A Tokyo DisneySea cast member (R) sprays a bucketful water towards guests during a special summer attraction called “Minnie's Tropical Splash” at Tokyo DisneySea in Urayasu, suburban Tokyo on July 23, 2014. AFP

Army Commander chats with former commanders

Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake has a word with former army commanders General Rohan Daluwatte, General Srilal Weerasuriya, and Lt. General Gerry de Silva at the Ranaviru apparel awards ceremony held at BMICH today. Pix  By Pradeep Pathirana

Workshop on National Alcohol Policy

A workshop on Alcohol and Tobacco Control will held from July 22 to 24 in collaboration with the Regional Parliamentarians and Civil Society Representatives. The meeting was held at the Hotel Kingsbury this morning. Pix by Samantha Perera

Rare fish caught in fishing net

A rare deep sea fish was found entangled in a fishing net of a boat that went fishing off the Valaichchenai seas today. The fish is four feet long and about 7.5 kilograms in weight and it is to be handed over to the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). Pix by M.M. Anaam

Arrest the predator

A massive protest rallies are being held across the hill country by the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) demanding the arrest of a person who had sexually abused a school girl in Ratnapura. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Large heroin haul seized

A large haul of heroin worth about Rs.700 million found hidden inside moulding machines imported from Karachchi, Pakistan were seized by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Orugodawatta container yard today. Pix by Sanjeewa Niroshan

For a legal interpretation

UNP MP Harin Fernando who is tipped to be the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Uva Provincial Council Election seen outside the Superior Courts Complex in Hulftsdorp today after filing a petition against the change in the number of seats allocated to the two districts of the province. Pix by Samantha Perera

MR meets Portugal PM

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Portugal’s Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho met for discussions at Temple Trees this afternoon. Pix by President's Media

UNP membership drive

UNP Gampaha District MP Ruwan Wijewardenene greets a vegetable vendor at the weekly fair in Makola during a membership drive of the party where a large number of people obtained membership. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

MR flying kites

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen flying kites at the ' Kite Festival’ organised by the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration to coincide with the Social Integration week held at the Galle Face Green yesterday.Pix by President's Media

Video: Convicted!

Former Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana is seen leaving the High Court after being convicted on charges of having murdered British tourist Khuram Sheikh and of having raped his girlfriend. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana & Jayamal Chandrasiri

Malaysian passenger plane shot down

Pictures show flames amongst the wreckages of the malaysian airliner carrying 295 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after it crashed, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. Pro-Russian rebels fighting central Kiev authorities claimed on Thursday. (AFP)

Protest for media freedom

The Committee to Protect the rights of Free Media organisations today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to protect the media as well as civil society. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Pointing fingers at each other

UNP MP Nalin Bandara points his finger at the crowds who were gathered at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery today preventing them from entering the premises while the crowds point their finger at them. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Gulp!

A 13-foot python that had gulped a calf was captured by the villagers at Jambugasmulla, Akmeemana in Galle and was later released to the Hiyare reservoir.  Environmentalists said pythons usually refrain from meals for months after having such big meal. Pix by Sajeewa Wijeweera

Video: Buddhist monks meet Media Minister

Several Buddhist organisations including the National Sangha Council, Bodu Bala Sena and Sihala Ravaya met Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at the Ministry today.  They urged the Ministry to look into media statements and campaigns against Buddhism. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Longest ship at Magampura

The 300-metre long vessel, Eurydice Darrived at the Hambanthota Magampura Harbour for refueling today. It was the longest ship to arrive at this harbor so far. The ship with a depth of 19 metres was supplied with 1,400 metric tonnes of IF-380 fuel. Seven vessels had been refueled at the harbour since the opening of the terminal. Pix by Sanath Gamage

Posh new office for Customs

The newly built Headquarters of Sri Lanka Customs was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Fort today. Pix President’s Media

Winners of Wijeya

The Annual Graduation Ceremony of the Wijeya Graphics was held at the BMICH, Colombo on Saturday. Picture shows Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena awarding a certificate to a student while Parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene looks on. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Independent Arcade declared open by President

The Independent Arcade was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening. The Arcade which is a commercial complex was constructed under the programme of converting Colombo into attractive city by the Urban Development Authority. Pix by Manoj Ratnayeka

Teams ready for vital match

South African captain AB de Villiers and team coach Russel Domingo together with Sri Lankan cricket team captain Angelo Mathews and team coach Marvan Atapattu during a practice session at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota today. AFP PHOTO