Video: Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Puja

The Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Puja which illuminates the historic Thantirimale sacred site was switched on by UNP parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene this evening. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

RSSF Dansala

UNP Organizer Colombo District C. Y. P Ram and UNP Member of the Colombo Municipal Council John Ram of the Ram Social Service Foundation distributed lunch packets to mark the feast of St Anthony’s Church Kochchikade. Mr. Ram is seen distributing lunch packets. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

STF nab 85 kilos of heroin

STF personnel are seen with the large heroin haul at the STF headquarters today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bus plunges into transformer

A SLTB bus travelling from Polonnnaruwa to Colombo plunged into a transformer near Peliyagoda Police Station this morning damaging the transformer. No injuries were reported in the incident. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Allow us to set up a hut!

Students of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine of the Colombo University clashed with the police when they were refused to set up a temporary hut to carry out a Sathyagraha against the alleged failure of the institute to address issues faced by the students. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A meritorious act

United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, was joined by UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and several other MPs to serve food at a Dansala organised by the party at its headquarters ‘Sirikotha’, that was held today to mark Poson Poya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Religious rituals at Poson

A devotee is seen engaging in religious observances at Kelaniya Temple this morning. Hundreds of Buddhist devotees engaged in religious observances at the Temple  in view of Poson Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Victory at last …

With the concerned authorities agreeing to resolve its grievances, the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) ended its continuous protests over the reduction of the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) degree course from four years to three years. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Preparations for Poson

People in Colombo are seen busy making their lanterns and replicas of the Mihintale Rock in view of Poson Poya Day which falls tomorrow. Pix by Kushan  Pathiraja

Video: FNO against Jaya’s demand

Federation of National Organisations (FNO) today held a protest in front of the Indian High Commission over Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s demand to hold a referendum in the North and East and India’s interference in the Sri Lankan internal matters. Pix by Samantha Perera ???

All smiles …

UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen sharing a light moment with trade union leaders today during a discussion held with Trade Unions and the UNP on the gratuity payment. Pix by Samantha Perera

Soldiers clean up at Vatrrapalai

Seen here are Army personnel cleaning the Vatrrapalai Amman Temple area in Mullaithivu near the Nandhikadal lagoon after the Kovil’s annual festival which was held yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Operation Sovereign Borders

The Australian Government today held a media briefing for Colombo based journalists on Operation Sovereign Borders, the Australian Government’s military-led border security initiative designed to prevent human smuggling via sea. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ranil faults decision to reduce powers of UGC

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking to the members of academic community this evening. UNP Leadership Council Member Ruwan Wijewardene and MP Eran Wickramaratne are also present. Pix. by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Vattapalai Amman Temple festival

The annual festival of the Vattapalai Amman Temple in Mullaitivu near the Nandhikadal lagoon was organised today by the Sri Lanka Army. A large number of devotees took part in the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Women seek fairness from govt.

The ‘Women for Rights’ organization today staged a protest in front of the Consumer Affairs Ministry urging the government to pass the benefit of price decreases in the international market to the local consumers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mika Singh Live!

India’s popular Bollywood playback singer Mika Singh is seen performing at the BMICH on Saturday. Pix by Samantha Perera

Cracking nuts

The Matara SLTB Depot employees held a demonstration and dashed coconuts at the Sri Vishnu Devale today against the closure of the Depot without the workers being paid their salaries for April and May. Picture shows protestors marching to the Sri Vishnu Devalaya with coconuts in hand. Pic by Krishasn Jewaka

The 109th birth anniversary

The 109th birth anniversary of leftist leader and humanitarian the late N. M. Perera was held today at the foot of his statue at the Ayurveda Junction in Borella. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: NTUC protest

Members of the National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) yesterday staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station against the government’s decision to give Employees’ Commuted Pension as a bank loan and to pay the unpaid pension gratuity. Pix by Nisal Baduge

JVP fights dengue

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today staged a protest near the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila urging the authorities to formulate a mechanism to tackle the increasing numbers of dengue patients. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: Tree across the road

One side of the road at the Prince of Wales Avenue which leads to Colombo was blocked today as a tree fell across the road. A lorry and a car were damaged but no injuries were reported. Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Fire brigade managed to clear the roadway. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Toot a bit, please!

Vehicles with horns that exceeded the decibel limit were checked at seven entry points to Colombo by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) with the help of the Police Department this morning. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel ?

Blood in memory of….

A blood donation campaign organised in memory of the founder of the Sri Lanka Saukyadana Movement (SLSM), Vajiranath Lakshman De Silva and Mrs. De Silva was held today at the SLSM headquarters in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Feeding the displaced

Some children are seen carrying plates to collect food from relief camps in Lakshapana Biyagama today after heavy monsoon rains again wrecked havoc in the Western and Southern Provinces and the Central hills. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Teachers protest against commuted pension

Teachers of 102 schools in the Welimada Educational Zone today staged a protest in Welimada town against the government’s decision to give employees’ commuted pension as a bank loan according to a circular issued on 2014. Pix by R. Kogulan

High voltage protest

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees today staged a protest in front of the CEB Head Office in Colombo urging the authorities not to interfere in their labour union rights and over several other demands including the immediate payment of salary increments. Pix by Samantha Perera

Warned twice

Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake  appeals for the wicket of England's Jos Buttler during the fifth One Day International (ODI) cricket match between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in Birmingham.AFP

National Council for Better Tomorrow

United National Party National leader Ranil Wickremesinge is seen speaking to Jathika Hela Urumaya Parliamentarian the Ven. Athuraliya Rathana Thera at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Ranil meets AHS Degree students

Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen in conversation students studying for the Allied Health Science (AHS) Degree whom he met today at the Parliamentary complex. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???