Testimony of faith at Nallur

The Annual Ther (Chariot) Festival of Nallur Sri Kandaswamy Temple was celebrated today in grand style. Following the Vasantha Mandapa Poojas conducted at 5 a.m. the deities of Sri Murugan with His consorts Valli and Deivayanai were paraded. Thousands of devotees, from all over the Island, as well as from foreign countries took part in the festival this year.  Pix by S.K. Prasath

Video: Shout against private universities

Aesthetic University Students held a demonstration today calling for abolishment of the gazette notice authorizing the setting up of private universities in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Third defence seminar begins

The third defence seminar began today at the Galadari Hotel under the patronage of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. More than 170 military personnel and foreign dignitaries from 53 countries are attending the seminar. It will end on Thursday. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

SLFP Annual Convention

The 62nd Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Annual Convention held today at Maligapitiya in Kurunegala with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  Pix courtesy President’s Media

Video: Logos Hope-in Colombo

Logos Hope- World’s largets floating Book ship arrived Colombo harbour. It will be open for public from 30th August-22nd September. The ship has a staff around 400 people from around 45 different Nationalities. It has over 5000 publications under many titles. Pic by Nisal Buduge

St. Peter’s church in Vakarai opened

President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open St. Peter’s church in Vakarai this morning. Pix by President’s Media

Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara Kumbal Perahera

The 63rd annual Kumbal Perahera of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya paraded the streets last night. Pix by H.M Dharmapala

Another protest in Rathupaswala

A group of villagers in Rathupaswala, Weliweriya this evening held a protest once again after surrounding the controversial factory demanding that it be moved out of the area. Ven. Theripehe  Siridhamma  Thera who led the protest told the protesters that he would start a fast-unto-death campaign from  6 pm today. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Meeting future politicos

The UNHR Commissioner Navaneetham Pillay today visited the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament in Maharagama. She was warmly welcomed by representatives of the Youth Parliament. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Find them for us: Parents’ Front tells Pillay

The Dead and Missing Persons’ Parents Front today held a demonstration outside the UN Office in Colombo to urge UN High Human Rights Chief Navi Pillai to inquire into the 50,000 Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims including soldiers who died or went missing during the war. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Weliweriya witnesses step forward

Three witnesses who gave evidence during the magisterial inquiry into the Weliweriya shooting make their way outside the Gampaha Magistrate court complex after giving evidence. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Pillay at the HRC

Visiting United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner for Navanethem Pillay seen leaving the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission head office after participating in a discussion with its representatives. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: 48 deportees arrive in SL

A group of 48 asylum seekers who illegally migrated to Australia and were deported, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in a special charter flight today. They are to be produced at the Negombo Magistrate Courts. Pix by Nirmala Ferdinandus-Airport ???

Test run from Kilinochchi-Omanthai

A train from Kilinochchi to Omanthai went on a test run today fir the first time since the 30-year war. The railway line from Kilinochchi to Omanthai is under construction and is scheduled to commence train services by September 14.

Video: South Korean PM visits container terminal

South Korean Prime Minister Jung Hong-won today visited the Colombo Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) which is being constructed by the Korean Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company Ltd. It is scheduled to be completed in 2016. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Fire destroys shopping complex

Two shops were completely destroyed in a fire that occurred at a shopping complex near Puttalam town early this morning. The floor-room of a shop selling push cycles on an upper storey of the building and its store room at the basement were completely destroyed in the fire. Pix by Jude Samantha

Video: Pillay meets relatives of the disappeared

UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay has today visited Mullaitivu to meet relatives of people who had disappeared during the end stage of the war. Pix by Romesh Madushanka ???

Meeting over Weliweriya issue

A meeting was held in Weliweriya today with the participation of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe over the recent Weliweriya incidents. Many UNP parliamentarians, including Karu Jayasuriya, Tissa Attanayake and Ruwan Wijewardene were also present at the meeting. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Raid on scales

The officers of the Department of Measurement Units, Standards and Services raided sales outlets in Pettah today. Five unlicensed weighing scales and ten scales indicating an incorrect weight were taken into Police custody.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

To soar like the kites

Children are seen flying kites at the Galle Face Green which is a popular destination for all outdoor enthusiasts. Schools in the country are currently on vacation. (Pix by Samantha Perera)

Video: Ravana Balaya against Pillay visit

Protesters carrying placards against the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay marching to UN compound in Thummulla. The protest march was organised by Ravana Balaya organisation today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana ???

Doggy wedding!

The Police Kennels Headquarters organised a doggy wedding ceremony in Kandy to marry some of the canines in their care.Nearly twenty canine couples were ‘married’ at the ceremony.  Pix by Shane Senaviratne

Showcasing their talents

The annual ‘Sunshine Camp’ organised by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) for the differently abled commenced today at the Dehiwela YMCA premises. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: OMG! I’m scared

The scholarship exam for Grade five students commenced this morning at 2,836 examination centres.  Picture shows students were waiting to enter an examination centre. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: MR inspects Colombo-Katunayake Highway

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his way to Belarus this morning inspected the Colombo-Katunayake Highway, the President’s office said. The President held talks with officers involved with the road construction as well.

Pillay in Colombo

United Nations Human Rights Chief Navaneethan Pillay who arrived in the country this morning, is seen here on her arrival at the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel, Colombo, where she will be staying. (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)

New STF personnel

Nearly 403 personnel including 24 women constables recruited to the Special Task Force (STF) today passed out after a course of comprehensive training in Katukurunda. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Enjoining order against Fonterra vacated

Representatives of Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Limited were seen at the Gampaha District Court today where the enjoining order issued against Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Limited preventing the company from releasing, distributing or advertising its products was vacated. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Colombo dockyard launches 400 passenger vessel ‘MV. Corals’

The Colombo Dockyard launched a 400 Passenger cum 250 Ton Cargo Vessel today that is being built for the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration, Government of India. Shri J. Ashok Kumar Secretary PSA — UTLA took part in the launch. This is the first of two vessels being built. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Demo against UDA court case

Nearly 700 Ampara Daya Apparel Exports (PVT) Ltd employees and their parents staged a demonstration near the Ampara Magistrate’s Court today against a case filled by the Urban Development Authority (UDA). Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala ???