Ready to go

Final touches being added to the Outer Circular Highway that is to be declared open next month from Kottawa to Kaduwela. The11-kilometre long highway is the first phase of the 29-Km highway which will connect all highways in the country.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Restore the status quo

A group of students who had failed to gain admission to Law College because of the reduction in the annual intake from this year staged a protest outside Sri Lanka Law College in Hulftsdorp today. During the protest one of the students climbed the college roof. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

CTU hands over its findings

The Ceylon Teachers Union (TCU) today handed over its collected information to Bribery Commission against the Interim Board of the Education Cooperative Society (ECS). Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Talking point!

UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has a chat with MP Thalatha Athukorale during the meeting in Deniyaya. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

At the UPFA media briefing

UPFA General Secretary and Minister Susil Premajayantha is answering a question posed by a journalist at the UPFA weekly media briefing at the SLFP headquarters in Colombo in view of the upcoming provincial council elections. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

Red sandalwood smuggle detected

The Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) officers are seen inspecting the sandlewood container which was seized this mornining. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: IUSF protest

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) today staged a protest march from the Visual and Performing Arts University to the University Grants Commission (UGC) urging the authorities to concerned keep the duration of the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) degree course unaltered at four years instead of reducing it to three. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Anoma in election campaign

Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka’s wife Anoma Fonseka took part at a party election campaign for the upcoming Western Provincial Council. She was seen distributing party contester’s leaflets in Maharagama today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Seeking justice

Ousted Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake visited the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today, in order to face the charges presented to her by the Bribery Commission.  Lawyers of the Chief Justice who was controversially impeached last year alleged that the government was on a witchhunt against her. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

US Ambassador at Gangaramaya temple

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele J. Sisson today met the Gangaramaya Temple Chief Incumbent today, following a peaceful protest march by the Thera and others to hand over a letter to the Embassy on Saturday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

PVIC report handed over

The Political Victimisation Investigation Committee (PVIC) report was handed over to the UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe by Committee Chairman Manju Sri Arangala. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Sinhala Ravaya protest continues

The demonstration which was launched yesterday by the Sinhala Ravaya organisation outside the Fort Railway station against the cattle-slaughter continued for the second day today. A tense situation was also reported due to the protest. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

BBS criticize US-led resolution

The Bodu Bala Sena Organisation today held a news conference in Colombo on the US-led resolution at Geneva and about the extremist groups in Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Video: Demo over cattle-slaughtering

A demonstration was held this evening by the Sihala Ravaya organisation in front of the Fort Railway station against the cattle-slaughter. One side of the Olcott Mawatha was blocked due to a protest. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

UNP LC members at Elections Department

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya flanked by General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and Leadership Council Member Ravi Karunanayake are seen leaving the Elections Department after handing over a complaint that some high level public servants were taking part in election campaigning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Horana Sri Jayawardanarama Navam Perahera in a grand way

The Annual Navam Maha Perahera of Horana Olaboduwa Sri Jayawardanarama Viharaya was held last night in Horana. Pix by Darshana Sanjeewa

Video: Sinhala Ravaya protest

Monks leading the protest march organized by the Sinhala Ravaya against the slaughter of cattle, walk behind a large placard. The protest march, which began at the Lunawa Temple Dematagoda ended next to the Fort Railway Station. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: CISM Day Run 2014

Sri Lanka’s third joint tri-service Marathon Run, organized under the auspices of Brussels-based International Military Sports Council (Conseil International du Sport Militaire), more widely known as ‘CISM Day Run,’ commenced early this morning near the Colombo Light House Galley. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Gangarama Navam Perahara

President Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the first day of the Gangarama Navam Perahara yesterday, along with several dignitaries. Seen here are President Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera of the Gangarama Temple garlanding the relic casket on top of the tusker. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Bath for Perahera elephant

An Elephant being bathedahead of the annual Nawam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.The Perahera will be held with traditional performances today and tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Religious observances at Devram Vehera

Devotees are seen engaging in religious observances at Devram Vehera temple in Pannipitiya today to mark the Navam Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Election Commissioner at SLHRC

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is seen coming out of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) today where he met SLHRC Chairman Prathiba Mahanamahewa to discuss about holding a free and fair election. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Piece of advice

JHU leader Ven Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera making a point with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the launch of the JHU provincial polls campaign with the participation of its Colombo district candidates, ex-provincial councillor Minister Udaya Gammanpila and JHU spokesman Nishantha Warnasinghe. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Does mode of transport matter?

Eksath Janatha Peramuna Leader and its General Secretary Sirimasiri Hapuarachchi who is contesting the Western Provincial Council Election from the UNP, arrives in his trishaw for the meeting held at the Election Secretariat this morning Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Primary protest

Parents and Primary students of Gothatuwa Maha Vidyalaya in Mulleriyawa staged a protest near the school today against the decision taken by the Educational Authorities to terminate the Primary section of the school. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

A laughing matter

SLFP General Secretary of the SLFP, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena seen in a jovial mood at today’s media briefing at the SLFP head office at T.B. Jayah Mawatha. Ministers Nimal Siriripala De Silva and John Seneviratne were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Employees of Department of Pensions protest

A protest was launched in front of the Department of Pensions by its employees yesterday urging the department to remove the Director General from his post, among several other demanding. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Caring for the helpless

Amid numerous financial and other difficulties, M.K. Somaratne and his wife Alan Kotlin are seen at their home at Ambagamuwa in Ginigathhena taking care of three grown-up sons, who are disabled. They stand out as an example of selfless service in today’s comercialised society.  Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Way to go...

Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva today made an inspection tour of the damaged gutter system in the Peliyagoda Urban Council area. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Less smoke…

The Motor Traffic Department and the Colombo Police Traffic Division launched a sticker and a poster campaign and an awareness programme in front of the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall this morning to educate the public on how to prevent air pollution by vehicles. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel.