British Airways flies again

The first British Airways flight after a lapse of 13 years arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this afternoon. British Airways suspended its services following the conflict that prevailed in the country. 19 crew members including the Chief Executive Officer of British Airways William Keith were on board in the plane captained by Sri Lankan Kiran Mediwaka. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

The dawning of a new beginning

The traditional anointing of oil ceremony in lieu of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, was held at the auspicious time of 6.41 this morning. Pictured here is the Chief Priest of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, anointing oil on one of the elephants who reside in the temple. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

'Little England' comes alive

Nuwara-eliya, the countries traditional holiday destination is filled with activity with many local and foreign tourists making their way to the scenic city during the April Holidays. Tourists enjoy the surroundings as much as the hive of activity the city lines up for them during the festive season. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year

A walk in the park

Elephants are pictured here moving towards the Bundagala sanctuary after spending the night around Deegavapiya. The elephants do this migration at nightfall daily and go back to the sanctuary at sunrise.

A prelude to a feast

Shoppers are pictured eagerly purchasing traditional sweets used during the Sinhala Hindu New Year. Households across the country relish and serve the sweets that are traditionally used only during the New Year. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Country roads, take me home

Is the calling by many of those who gathered at the country’s main bus station this morning to leave to their homes. Many migrant workers who are employed in Colombo leave for their homes during the New Year holidays virtually deserting the countries capital city. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Getting ready for the New Year

Crowds of people are seen shopping for pots, at wayside pottery Stalls in Kirulapone. They will be used for the traditional ‘Kiri Ithiraweema’ in the New Year. Pix by Kushan Pathiraj

‘Adhisthana Pooja’ by artists

Sri Lankan artists today held an ‘Adisthana Pooja’ outside Independence square against the protest held in Tami Nadu by the Indian artists urging them to come to Sri Lanka and witness the real situation here. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

A New Year Salute

The annual army Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival was held today at the Malay Grounds in Colombo under the patronage of Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya. The festival comprised all traditional games and activities. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

St. Sebastian wins Kotmale Chox tournament

St. Sebastian’s emerged the champions of the Kotmale Chox under 19 Twenty20 cricket tournament defeating Wesley by 42 runs in the finals at Reid Avenue. The champion team St. Sebastian posing for a picture after receiving the trophy. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Raid to catch shop owners who cheat

Measurement Units, Standards & Services Department today conducted a raid in Colombo Fort to catch shop owners who use inaccurate weighing scales to cheat their customers. Pix by Samantha Perera

Army CoI report handed over to Defence Secretary

The Army Commander today handed over to the Defence Secretary the Army Court of Inquiry report (CoI) on channel 4 allegations. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed by the President had made some observations on the Army and in addition allegations were also made by Channel 4. Picture courtesy of  Army Media

UNP complains to human rights commission

UNP MPs Jayalath Jayawardena and Ravi Karunanayake made a complain to the Human Rights Commission today urging the authorities to reveal details of the tests carried out on renal disease in the North-Central Province.Nisal Baduge

Video: Satyagraha over bus service fee increase

The All Island Private Bus Owners Federation General Secretary Anjana Priyanjith held a Satyagraha outside the Road Passenger Transport Authority at Battaramulla today urging the authorities to cancel the bus service fee increase.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Garbage protestors thrown out

The police removed the protesters who were staging a satyagraha campaign and blocking access to the garbage dump site since Saturday demanding the immediate removal of the massive garbage dump situated in the area. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Boycott Tamil movies: Ravana Balaya

The ‘Ravana Balaya’ organisation handed over a Sandeshaya to the Sri Lanka Public performance board (SLPPB) Chairman Gamini Sumanasekera this morning with regard to the banning of Tamil movies of the actors who were on a fast in support of Sri Lankan Tamils. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Iron Lady dies at 87

Bridging the divide

The ‘Rajadhani road’ connecting the North and South, was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa today. The road was constructed at a cost of 7000 million rupees.

A fiesta in the offing

Eager shoppers are pictured here in Pettah making their purchases, a week before the traditional Sinhalese and Hindu New Year. Pettah is considered a hub for low priced goods and many around the country flock to the commercial capital for their purchases. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A near miss

A seven storey building in Maliban Street Pettah collapsed this morning with two floors entirely crumbling. The rest of the building rested on an adjoining complex. No injuries have been reported thus far.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video:The garbage that is all over!

Residents of the Meethotamulla area continued their ‘Sathyagraha’ for the second consecutive day demanding the immediate removal of the massive garbage dump situated in the area. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Beetles galore

The annual Volkswagen beetle rally was held this morning for the 14th consecutive year, with vintage car owners parading their vehicles around Colombo. (Pix by Kushan Pathiaraja)

A holy gift

The Gyalwang Drupka, spiritual head of the Drupka Order of Tibetan Buddhism, presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa a bone relic of the Buddha as a gift to Sri Lanka. Courtesy President's media

National Rowing Championship starts

The 28th Sri Lankan Rowing National Championship for 2013 began today at the newly developed 2000 m Diyawanna Oya rowing course and it will continue till April 6. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

'Annual Avurudu Pola'

The 4th annual Avurudu Pola organised by the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Civil Defence Force was held today at Bambalapitiya. Funds from this event will be used for the construction of 450 houses for Defence Force soldiers. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Workshop on Oral Complaints Regarding Electricity Tariffs

A program on Public Consultation on Electricity Tariffs Revision 2013 was held today at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) to consider oral complaints from the people regarding the electricity tariff revision. Written complaints were called for on an earlier occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Customs seize Cigarettes and Sprats

The Customs Special Operations and Investigations unit today seized Rs.120 million worth of contraband cigarettes and some 14,000 kilos of sprats imported from Dubai. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Heavy rains in Colombo

Heavy rains were experienced in Colombo this morning. The Department of Meteorology said showers could be expected in the southwestern coastal areas during the morning and thundershowers would develop at a few places in the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and Central provinces during the afternoon or evening. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘Common difference’

‘Common difference’ a documentary on the three-decade Sri Lankan conflict was screened for the first time today at the Lakshman Kadirgamar institute. Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was chief guest at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana