Deserted

Sri Lanka’s busiest railway station, the Colombo Fort Railway Station was deserted after railway operations came to a standstill following a strike by the railway unions calling on the government to attend to the existing salary anomalies. Rail transport Islandwide came to a standstill following the strike. Nearly 1.5 million commuters use the public railways on a daily basis. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Video: Remanded for nightclub assault

Three suspects including two ‘bouncers’ employed by the ‘Kama Colombo’ nightclub were arrested today and remanded until July 11 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate for allegedly brutally assaulting a youth in and outside the premises of the club. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel ???

Video: IUSF Convener arrested

The convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Sanjeewa Bandara was arrested today for violating bail conditions and was remanded. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: Train strike: thousands stranded

Thousands of commuters were stranded because of a countrywide 48-hour strike launched by the Railways Professional Trade Union Alliance (RPTUA) from last midnight over salary anomalies. ???(Pix by Kithsiri De Mel)

Video: Planters protest

The plantations industry held a silent protest today condemning the murder of an Estate Superintendent in Deraniyagala, urging the government to ensure that the culprits are brought to book. Pix by Reka Tharanagani

Blasts in Mahabodhi

Five people have been injured in a series of blasts inside the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar's Bodhgaya district, this morning. AFP

Video: One way traffic plan

A finale before the final

St. Peters College won a nail biting encounter against Royal College in the Milo Knockout trophy quarter final played today. The scores were tied at full time and during extra time the scores were still ties at 27. Thereafter the match went into penalties during which the scores remain locked. However in the second round of penalties Royal faltered losing 4-5 to the Peterites. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Measles vaccination today

The Health Ministry conducted its countrywide Measles Vaccination programme today. A lot of parents were seen attended the programme. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

UNP Youth Front Office opened

The office of the United National Party Youth Front was declared open today at ‘Sirikotha’ with the participation of Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, parliamentarians Ruwan Wijewardane, Harin Fernando and Chung Eur Yong, who is Secretary General of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Cinnamon air

The official launch of Cinnamon Air and the inauguration of the Water’s Edge Water Aerodrome today, under the auspices of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence & Urban Development. ???Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: DIG’s wife leaving Court

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardena’s wife Priyadarshanie Perera appeared in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today with her lawyers in response to a notice issued by the court to inquire over an alleged intimidation of a witness in the Bambalapitiya businessman’s murder case. Pix by Samantha Perera ???

Video: Student protest

Thousands of university students from all the universities in the country today staged a protest march that began from the premises of the Sri Jayewardenepura University and made its way to the Ministry of Higher Education in Colombo, urging the authorities to resolve their issues. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Video: 13-A must stay

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe places his signature on a public petition calling for the protection and implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in front of the Fort Railway Station today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana ???

John Amaratunga new JSS President

United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian John Amaratunga was today appointed President of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The late Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena was its former president. . Pix by Kithsiri de Mell

Bodu Bala Sena protest

Bodu Bala Sena today staged a protest march from Galle Face Green to the Kollupitiya Junction. They handed over a petition to the Indian High Commssion. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Rally in Maharagama

A rally organised in Maharagama today by the National Collective (Jathika Ekamuthuwa) which was a joint venture of the Jathika Sanga Samelanaya (JSS) and the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) to press for the abolishment of the Provincial Council (PC) system in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Duminda comes to Court

MP Duminda Silva, a suspect in the killing of presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, appeared before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today. The case was postponed for August 2. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Bidding adieu

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya attended the first farewell function held at the Vanni Army Headquarters today before he relinquished duties as army commander. He is appointed Chief of Defense Staff with effect from August 1. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

In Seychelles…

Members of the Sri Lankan delegation Ministers G.L. Peiris, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Mervin Silva, Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Parliamentarians Lohan Ratwatta and Lakshman Perera, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Seychelles in South Africa Shehan Ratnavale, are at the extraordinary session of the National Assembly in Seychelles. (Pictures courtesy Presid

Video: Protest by Railway Unions

Several railway trade unions today staged a protest rally near the Salaries and Cardres Commission office over the retrenching of staff and the salary anomalies in the Railway Department. Police are seen confronting the protesters. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana ???

Fishing in Nilwala River

Following the warning issued by the Department of Meteorology against going to sea for fishing due to rough weather, the fishermen had turned to fishing in the rivers. The pictures show some fishermen in the Nilwala River. Pix by Krishan Jewaka Jayaruk

Till death do us part...

22-year old Sirimal Prasanna Kumara, a Sinhala Corporal of the Sri Lanka Army married 20-year-old Tamil girl, Mary Theresa of Mullaithivu at the Thanniruviru Christian Church today, amid many top brass Army officials, relatives and friends. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

Video: MR Arrives in Seychelles

Seychelles President James Michel welcomed the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the airport yesterday. President Rajapaksa is on a two-day state visit to the Seychelles. Pix by President’s Media

General Kayani in Diyatalawa

Passing out Parade of 64 cadet officers were held at Diyatalawa Army camp with the participation of visiting Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Katunayake expressway nearing completion

The construction of the Colombo-Katunayake expressway is nearing completion, and is due to open in August this year. Picture shows some work currently being done on the expressway. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Pakistan’s COAS meets Army Commander

The Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who was on an official visit to Sri Lanka met Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya this morning at the Army Headquarters. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Commanders

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Roshan Goonetilake, Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya, Air Force Commander Harasha Abeywickrama and visiting Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani at a dinner, hosted by the Pakistan High Commissioner at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. General Kiani arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit. Pic. by Indraratne Balasuriya

Graduates’ grievances

The Graduate Employees Union (GEU) today staged a protest in front of the Town Hall in Colombo urging the authorities to occupy graduates in proper titles and to make them permanent in their posts. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Pakistan Army Chief arrives

Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to undertake a three-day visit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???