Sports complex for Vijayabahu Regiment

The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment received Presidential Colours recently and to mark the occasion a new sports complex and an auditorium was opened at its Headquarters in Boyagane. Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya is seen playing tennis during the opening ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Katsuyuki meets MR in Japan

Japan's House of Representatives member and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Katsuyuki Kawai called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Hotel Imperial in Tokyo today. Pix by Sudath Silva

2nd day of voting for new pope

Black smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, indicating that no decision has been made after the first voting session on the second day of voting for the election of a new pope, March 13, 2013. REUTERS

78 new LRP graduates

Two officers and 76 soldiers graduated from the Kuda Oya Commando Training School after successfully completing a course of training in Long Range Patrol (LRP). Pix by Nayanajeewa Bandara

Jumbo gifts to Japan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday gifted two elephants to the Tama Zoo in Japan to mark 60 years of diplomatic relationships between the two countries

Video: Bodu Bala Sena...

Bodhu Bala Sena Secretary the Ven. Galagodatte Gnanasara Thera seen at today's news conference on the controversy surrounding Halal certification. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

World Glaucoma Day

To mark the “World Glaucoma Day” a Pease march was held from National eye Hospital to Lipton Circle where they handed over leaflets to public to create awareness about Glaucoma. The Pease march was organized by the National Eye Hospital. Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: Welcome

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Japan this morning on a four-day official visit. Pix courtesy President's Media

Operation on Duminda’s head

When the case of Mulleriyawa shooting incident was taken up at the Colombo High Court yesterday, Anuja Premaratne appearing on behalf of MP Duminda Silva’s father, produced some of the pictures taken during the series of operations on Duminda Silva’s head at the  Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

No Halal logo required for SL market

Together holding a news conference with Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and a group of Buddhist monks led by Prof. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalasara Thera, All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama (ACJU) said that it would remove the Halal logo from local products and would issue Halal certificates free of charge only for exporters. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Signature campaign to safeguard education sector

People’s Movement to Protect Schools held a signature campaign outside the Fort Railway Station demanding that the national education system be safeguard. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Aktha Pathra to Ven. Pemasiri

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen presenting ‘The Aktha Pathra’ to Ven. Napane Pemasiri Mahanayaka Thera of the Ramannya Nikaya at the Independence Square. Pic courtesy President’s Media

Maha Shivarathri

A large number of Hindus today thronged Kovils across the country to participate in religious observances to mark Maha Shivarathri. A group of devotees are seen performing religious rites at the Sri Ponnambalavaneshwàrar Kovil in Kochchikade. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

SL vs Bangladesh

Lahiru Thirimanne's maiden Test century helped Sri Lanka surge further on the second day of the first test played at Galle.(AFP)

March over violence against women

‘Free Women” marked international Women’s Day with a march from Hyde Park to the New Town Hall to express their displeasure over violence against women. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR with Ranil

Students from Kengalla Primary School in Kandy and the Akkarapanaha Vidyalaya in Melsiripura visited Temple Trees today. The President greeted them as usual. Pic courtesy President's Media

Battle of the Blues

The 134th Battle of the Blues between S.Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia and Royal College, Colombo kicked off yesterday at the SSC grounds. The Royalists having won the toss elected to field first in the three day encounter. Seen here are a group of Thomian prefects parading around the ground cheering the Thomian team. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Refuse tea seized by Customs

Sri Lanka Customs today nabbed a stock of refuse tea which was to be exported to Germany in two containers. Pix by Kushan Pathitaja

Peace march begins in Kataragama

President Mahinda Rajapakse officiates a peace march where Buddhist monks, including those from Bhutan, Nepal and India, began their journey from the Sri Lankan southern pilgrim town of Kataragama today. Pic courtesy President's Media

Video: Petition to UN urge probe into LTTE activities

Dead and Missing Person’s Front, which consists of family members of missing people handed over a petition to the United Nations office in Colombo. They urged that an investigation be carried out into the activities of the LTTE.(Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi)

Video: Why the UNP did what it did?

Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who addressed a news conference today explained the UNP stance on a wide range of subjects including its foreign policy and international issues. (Pix by Nisal Baduge)

Video: Against nuclear proliferation

“Greens for Change” staged a protest outside the Indian High Commission against the proposed Nuclear power plant to be built in India. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Signature campaign by Free Women

Movement for Free women held a signature campaign outside the Fort Railway Station this morning. It coincided with the World Women’s Day which falls on March 8. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: New look

A lawyer displaying a photograph of MP Duminda Silva outside the Nawaloka Hospital to which he was admitted soon after arrival. Pix by Nisal Baduge

1.2 million fags nabbed

Customs seized a stock of cigarettes worth around Rs.30 million. They were imported from Dubai in eight large wooden boxes and stored at the Peliyagoda Customs warehouse. It contained a total of 1.2 million cigarette sticks. The detection was made by the Customs Special Operations and Investigations unit headed by Customs Director Mali Piyasena. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Army Chief in Kilinochchi

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya yesterday visited the Security Forces Headquarters in Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) and both the 66 and 65 Division Headquarters. Picture shows the Army Chief receiving a Guard Turnout at the SFHQ-Kilinochchi.

House for parents of Rizana

The Sri Lankan Army undertook a project to build a house for the parents of recently executed Rizana Nafeek in their village at Mutthur. Seen here are army personnel participating in a ceremony to erect the main door frame at the entrance of the house. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeeva

Wes Mangalyaya by Ananda Shastralaya students

The Kandyan dancing ceremony (Wes Mangalyaya) by the Kotte Ananda Shastralaya dancing team was held at the auspicious time of 6.50 a.m. at the Kotte Raja Maha Vihraya under the guidance of Guru Sidath Warakagoda. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

In workers we thrive

Minister Dilan Perera, chairman of the Bureau of Foreign Employment and a host of other dignitaries gave away air tickets to migrant workers appointed as teachers in the Seychelle Islands.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Jaffna Music Festival

Picture shows an item being performed at the Jaffna Music Festival which began yesterday at the Jaffna Municipal Grounds in front of Subramaniam Park. The music festival organized by the Seva Lanka is sponsored by the Norway Embassy and the USAID. Pix by Manoj Ratnayake