May Day rehearsal

Despite the heavy showers in Colombo, members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) -- affliated Socialist Students’ Union are seen rehearsing for the party’s May Day rally to be held at the BRC grounds in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘Buddha Bar’ in Italy

The name board of the newly opened Bar located at Sala Baganza in Parma, Italy. Sri Lankans in Italy urged the Sri Lankan Embassy to take immediate action to remove the name of the ‘Buddha’ from the name board

‘Moods Sri Lanka 2014’

The ‘Moods Sri Lanka 2014’ bridal show was held at the Line Rose Hotel in Kalagedihena, Nittambuwa on Sunday organised by two popular beauticians Samantha Gunasekera together with dress designer and beautician, Jonny Gunasekera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Police unit established on religious issues

A Police Special Investigation Unit was established today at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs to deal with complaints related to Religious issues on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Motor and Transport Exhibition 2014

A wide variety of vehicles ranging from the antique cars and busses to the modern electrical vehicles are on display at the Motor and Transport Exhibition 2014. The exhibition held at BMICH from April 25 to 27 has stalls from leading vehicle manufacturers such as BMW, Jaguar, and Benz. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Building bridges of friendship

In a bid to build bridges of friendship between the North and South, the Micro scholarship programme (Access) granted by the US Embassy of Sri Lanka has chosen 50 students from Mullaitivu and Beruwala areas to participate in a three-day interactive programme in Colombo. Picture shows students participating in an interactive motivational basketball event at the Thimbirigasyaya Henry Pedris Grounds this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Isipathana beat Trinity in crunch game

Isipathana College beat Trinity College in a crucial first round game of the Singer Under 20 Schools league, by 21 points to 17, at Longdon Place today. Seen below are pictures of the action. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Saudi dates to Lanka

The government of Saudi Arabia handed over 200 metric tonnes of dates to the Sri Lankan government today. Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Abdulaziz Al Jammaz, and First Secretary Mahamoud

Protest over salary anomalies

The Joint Trade Unions’ Committee held a protest outside the Colombo National Hospital over several of their concern one of which was the non payment of salary arrears to Health service employees belonging to 27 grades including the junior staff. Pix by Nisal Baduge

First Bay Class Patrol Vessel arrives

The first Bay Class Patrol Vessel arrived in Sri Lanka today.The vessel was gifted by Australia to the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance maritime security and combat human smuggling. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Saying no to Casinos

A massive protest over the setting up of casinos was held at D.R. Wijeyawardene Mawatha. The protest rally was organised by the United National Party (UNP), religious leaders and civil society groups this morning. The Casino Bill is being presented to the parliament today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Living there for a long time

Minister Rishad Badiutheen organised a media tour yesterday to brief the media about the charge that Muslim colonies were created in the Wilpattu Forest reserve. The Minister said that the Muslim families alleged to be resettled in the controversial region had been living there for long time. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: BBS at Rishad’s office

A tense situation prevailed when members of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) surrounded Minister Rishad Badiutheen’s Ministry building in Kollupitiya this morning claiming that Ven. Watareka Vijitha Thera was hiding there. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Playing with paper rockets

During the inaugural session of the newly elected Western Provincial Council on Tuesday, two opposition members voted with the Government to elect UPFA member Sunil Wijeratne as Council Chairman. WPC member Ananda Harishchandra is seen shooting paper rockets at the opposition while the Council was in session. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???

Avurudu at Polhena Beach

The Polhena Beach, Matara was filled with tourists those enjoying National New Year holidays. Here seen local and foreign tourists having a leisure time at the beach. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Video: Railways Trade Union fast against termination of employees

Members of the Railway Trade Union, affiliated to the SLFP initiated a fast unto death protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today against the alleged termination of railway employees by the department. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Yanni ready to rock Colombo

3Globally acclaimed Greek pianist, keyboardist, composer and music producer Yiannis Chryssomallis – better known as YANNI, addressed the media at the Colombo Hilton,   hours prior to his live concert in Sri Lanka this evening at the Colombo Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Recalling the ordeal

Two police officers recording a statement of UNP MP Ajith Mannapperuma who was among the four Parliamentarians subjected to an attack in Hambantota during an observation tour to the Mattala International Airport and the port last week. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

The ride that ended in tears

The ill-fated Land Master tractor which claimed the lives of ten people who were on their way to visit their relatives for the New Year. It fell into an irrigation canal in Aralaganwila, Polonnaruwa this afternoon. Pix by K.G. Karunaratne

Bad weather destroys houses in Mahakachchikodi

Several Houses in Mahakachchikodi, Jaffna were damaged from the severe weather condition prevailed in the area last Thursday.  About 21 houses were severely damaged and six houses were completely destroyed from the heavy rain and gale force winds. Pix by Prasanna Pradeep

Video: Good Friday

Christian devotees commemorate Good Friday today, the day the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified at Calvary. Picture shows devotees of the Mount Carmel Church taking part in a procession in observance of Good Friday in Wattala. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

.…?

UNP MPs who visited the Hambantota Port and the Mattala Airport came under attack by group of government supporters when they were coming out of the harbour today.Picture shows Hambantota Mayor Eraj Ravindra Fernando brandishing a pistol, giving chase to the bus carrying the MPs.Pix by Shantha Ratnayeka and Sanath Gamage

Glad to go home

Hundreds of people were seen at the Colombo Fort Railway Station and Bus terminus waiting for trains and buses heading after the end of New Year celebrations.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: For a blessed year

The State Oil Anointing Ceremony was held today at the Kossinna Rajamaha Viharaya at an auspicious time. Thousands of people were seen gathered at the temple to take part in the event. Pix by Janaka Galappaththi, Pradeep Pathirana

Fun at Galle Face

Despite a warning that bathing in the sea is dangerous and to be careful, a large number of people were seen bathing in the sea off Galle Face Green in keeping with the New Year spirit.  Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

'Blood moon'

The moon is seen as it begins a total lunar eclipse that will turn the moon red over Buenos Aires April 15, 2014. The lunar eclipse on Tuesday will unfold over three hours when the moon begins moving into Earth's shadow. REUTERS

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year...

Celebrating 'Avurudu'

A Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival was held at the Ranweli Hotel, Waikkala yesterday. Picture shows tourists taking part in traditional sports during the New Year celebrations. Pix by Jude Samantha

Balapitiyia PS dispute over contract system

A tense atmosphere prevailed during a monthly meeting of the Balapitiya PS last morning (10) due to an augment between the Chairman and the Vice Chairman over a proposal to do away with the contract system and to implement projects by employing laborers. Pix by Hemantha De Silva

Video: Operation successful…

Soldiers are seen after the search operation at Nedunkerni in Vavuniya, where three LTTE operatives were shot dead. Pix by Romesh Madushanka-Wanni