Video: Joint efforts to scrap executive presidency

The National Council for a Better Tomorrow headed by parliamentarian the Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera held discussions with the Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the UNP headquarters Sirikotha today with regard to the abolishing of the executive presidency. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kataragama Esala Perahera

The annual Kataragama Esala Perahera was held at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Devale this evening for the 12th day with the participation of Basnayake Nilame, Shashindra Rajapaksa. Perahera will be held till July 12. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Valuable gifts

President Mahinda Rajapakse and Australia's immigration minister Scott Morrison pose for a photograph in Colombo during a ceremony held to commission two Australian-gifted naval patrol boats. They will be deployed for preventing people smuggling operations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest for Consumer Rights

The Alliance for protection of consumer and farmer Rights today staged a protest near the Health Ministry in Colombo urging the authorities to establish a standard for every canteen in Government intuitions and schools. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Scott Morrison in SL

Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning for two day official visit. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Customs briefing

A brief media discussion was held this evening at the Sri Lanka Customs auditorium in view of the opening of its new headquarters on July 14. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Talks on abolishing executive presidency

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera and the National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa today held a discussion at Battaramulla over the abolishing of the executive presidency and the establishment of good governance. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

No water anywhere

Villagers of the Medirigiriya area in Polonnaruwa have to walk long distances in search of water with severe drought drying out water sources. Seen here are some villagers colleting some water from the Pathok Wewa. Pix by K.G. Karunarathne

Video: Gnanasara Thera leaving Court

BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera is seen leaving the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today after the Magistrate warned the monk to desist from insulting lawyers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ven.Vijitha thera at Court

Ven. Watareka Vijitha thera, who was in the remand custody for making a false statement and misleading the police is seen at the Panadura Magistrate Court today. Pix by Siri Mahabellana

South Africa beat Sri Lanka

South African captain AB de Villiers and teammates leave the field after winning the first One Day International cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium today. AFP

Derailed...

Two compartments of a train heading to Colombo from Matara had derailed near the Bambalapitiya railway station yesterday. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel and H.M Dharmapala

Video: UNP visits Nagoda Hospital

UNP parliamentarians Ajith P. Perera, Ruwan Wijewardane, Eran Wickramaratne and R. Yogarajan who visited the Nagoda Hospital are seen checking the hospital kitchen. This was their fourth fact-finding mission. They assured Hospital authorities that they would raise the issues they identified in parliament and outside. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

World Cup Trophy in SL

The Cricket World Cup Trophy was brought to Sri Lanka this morning as the first destination in its world tour. Captain Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanna are seen with the trophy at the BIA. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Video: Black July…

A young school boy is seen here placing his signature on a large banner in front of Fort Railway Station today, which was used as a Public Petition against recent ethnic violence in Southern Sri Lanka. The campaign reminding about violence against minority Tamils in July 1983.  Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Passing out ceremony

A passing out ceremony was held today for thirty Tamil female soldiers who were recruited to the Sri Lankan army force. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Video: New Navy chief assumes duties

Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera assumed duties as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo this morning. Pix by Samantha Perera

MR in Aluthgama

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today visited the Aluthgama and Beruwala areas and inspected the ongoing rebuilding of houses and buildings that were dmaged due to recent violence. (President's Media).

Isipathana open knockouts with win

The Milo President’s trophy knockout rugby tournament kicked off today at the Royal college Sports Complex, with league champions Isipathana College routing Thurstan College 55 points to 5. Seen here is some action from the game.

Girl Guides raise their voices against child abuse

The Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association will complete 100 years in 2017. A child safety week was organized in line with the centenary programmes launched by the association. Here, a girl guide is holding a placard against child abuse at the Girl Guides Association Headquarters. - Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Workshop for Ministers

A workshop for Ministers was held today under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beruwala where future national programmes to be initiated by the government were discussed extensively. Pix Courtesy President’s Media

Paratroopers passing out parade

As many as 79 paratroopers who completed their training at the Sri Lanka Air Force Parashoot Training School held their passing out parade at the Ampara Uhana Air Force base today. Pix Wasantha Chandrapala

Video: Grandpass Shooting

Police inspect the scene of the shooting that took place at Andrew Watte in Grandpas this evening. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Opposition visits Aluthgama

Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe together with General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, MPs Kabir Hashim, Ajith P Perera, R Yogarajan, provincial council members and members of local bodies visited Aluthgama today where they met religious leaders including monks and Islamic leaders in the area. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

Crushed to death

A seven-year-old boy had been killed and five others seriously injured in a road accident near the Puttlam Buddhist Centre on the Chilaw-Puttlam Road last morning.

Micro car plant in Hambantota

The Sri Lankan car manufacturer Micro in partnership with China’s Sino Motor Industries, is building its third car plant with the aim of exporting vehicles manufactured by the joint venture which is being built at the Mirrijawila Investment Zone in Hambantota. The foundation stone for the car plant was laid by MP Namal Rajapaksa and Sino Motors Deputy CEO LiuWei. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President arrives in Seychelles

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived in Seychelles this afternoon. Here, they are being welcomed by Seychelles President James Michel at the Seychelles International Airport. Also in the photograph are External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris and Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Seychelles Rajatha Piyatissa.

Released…

The Vice Chancellor and the lecturers of the Rajarata University who had been taken hostage since yesterday by some students were released this morning. The Vice Chancellor is seen leaving the university after being released. Pix by Athula Bandara

Video: United we stand

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in conversation with Ven. Bopitiye Dhammasara Thera and Moulavi Muzammil Cader at a meeting of religious leaders and heads of civil organizations held at the Parliamentary Complex today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Govt. Press TUs protest

A Collective of Trade Unions of the Government Press yesterday staged a protest near the Press in Borella against alleged political appointments, corruption and other issues in the institution. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana