Large stock of expired sugar confiscated

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today confiscated a stock of 100,000 kgs of expired sugar valued at Rs 1 billion during a raid carried out at a warehouse in Modera today, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Affairs said.

Blessings

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seen engaging in religious observances under the auspices of Ven. Dauldena Gnanissara Thera in the newly built Dharmashala at the Colombo National Hospital “Pathum Bodhiya’ today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Namal at Bogambara

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa met the 33 Bogambara Prison inmates who were on a hunger strike. Pix by J.A.L. Jayasinghe

MR meets the King of Jordan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and King Abdulla of Jordan held discussions on a number of topics relevant to both countries, including cooperation in defense-related activities and progress of the Joint Committee at the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman yesterday. Pix by President’s Media

Work in progress at Sri Pada Temple

Picture shows work in progress at the Sri Pada Temple premises where the Dolosmahe Pahana is being replaced. Pix by Gamini Bandara

Fire…

A major fire broke out at a warehouse in Koswatta, Battaramulla near the Laugfs filling station today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

PM must apologise to the Sangha:BBS

Monks of the Bodu Bala Sena Organisation met Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence ‘Visumpaya’ in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A leopard's fate

A Leopard that remained entangled in a trap for three days died in Balangoda from dehydration and starvation. The attempt by the veterinary surgeons to save the animal proved futile. The leopard was captured on film snarling at onlookers. Pix by Prince Ratnayake

New 'Dolosmahe Pahana' for Sri Pada

An Air force helicopter is seen airlifting the new 'Dolosmahe Pahana' to the Sri Pada Temple premises. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Video: Octane 92 replaces 90

Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa pumps the new variety of petrol to a motor car at the Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha CEYPETCO filling station today to mark the arrival of Octane 92 in the local fuel market.  Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Inauspicious beginning

The New Year’s Eve party at the Colombo Hilton resulted in many of the revelers having to be admitted to hospital when the platform they were standing on had collapsed.

Video:Blessings for the New Year

Devotees are seen here at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo invoking blessings for the New Year. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana & Nisal Baduge

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Getting ready for New Year

People at Kirulapone are seen today buying pots to boil milk, in preparation for the New Year. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Rewards for commitment and creativity

United National Party (UNP) Colombo District MP Rosy Senanayake today participated in a ceremony held at the Public Library, where certificates were awarded to women who successfully completed a dress-making course conducted by Nanda Athukorala. Pix by Samantha Perera

Health is wealth

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the website www.healthysrilanka.lk and declared open the ‘Sethsuwa Medura’ organic food outlet at the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya premises in Colombo  this morning. The President appears to be engrossed by the fragrance of a mandarin at the food outlet opened to promote organic food among the people. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: We want our burial grounds

Maligwatte residents are seen shouting slogans during a protest over the alleged encroachment of the Maligawatte Muslim Burial Grounds by a private company. The protesters wanted the issue resolved within one week. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: An unusual occurence

A Sow (Female bear) was knocked down early this morning in Silawathurai Manna, when she was trying to run across the main road. The Sow is said to be 5 feet in height and around eight years old. Pix Romesh Madushanka

More Ethanol

Customs officers are seen unloading the barrels of Ethanol at the Orugodwaththe Container Yard today. The stock of illegally imported Ethanol was seized by the Customs Revenue Task Force. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: In remembrance

The tsunami commemoration ceremony was held today at Peraliya. The 2004 Tsunami caused destruction to Sri Lanka and several other neighboring countries. Today marks nine years since the disaster. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Hemantha De Silva

Midnight Mass...

The Midnight Christmas Mass was held at St. Anne's Church, Wattala, last night attracting a large number of enthusiastic Catholics.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Christmas lights up the City

Christmas is celebrated in the City of Colombo with spectacular illuminations highlighting the importance of the day. Pictures by Pradeep Pathirana

Ready for Christmas

As the world prepares to celebrate Christmas tomorrow, several activities have been organised throughout the country. A devotee is seen here at the St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade preparing a replica of the Crib - where Jesus was born. Pix by Samantha Perera

Eat at your own risk

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials today confiscated 4,000 kilogrammes of dried fish, 3,000 kilogrammes of tamarind, Goraka and 5,000 kilogrammes of law quality onions not suitable for human consumption in a raid carried out in a wholesale storage at Pettah. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Budget proposals on fire

Several opposition members of the Bope Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha set fire to the 2014  Budget proposals after the budget was passed by a majority of three votes. Pix by Sugathapala Deeyagahage ???

Video: The printed word

United National Party National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen reading the annual publication of the Government Printing Services Union at its 46th Anniversary held at Sirikotha today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel ???

Unhealthy protest

A Federation of Health Services’ Trade Unions held a protest near the Health Ministry today urging the Health Authorities to resolve their salary anomalies. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Passionate love springs from delicate hearts

Odel held an Embark Christmas Party and Puppy Adoption Day at the store’s Alexandra Place Car Park in this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Talking Politics

A dinner for both government and opposition members was hosted by the Speaker Chamal Rajapksa last Friday at his residence. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was present at the occasion and Speaker of Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was a special invitee at the dinner. Pix by President’s Media

Milco workers on hunger strike

The workers of Milco who are staging a strike calling for the removal of its management look at the members of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya who are on a death fast making the same demand today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja