22 PCs Counsel take oaths before CJ

Twenty two new President’s Counsel took oaths today before Chief Justice Shirani A. Bandaranayake and the Judges of Supreme Court, Appeal Court, High Court, District Court and the Magistrate’s Court. It is considered a special event in Sri Lanka’s judicial history to have 22 President’s Counsel, the highest number to have been appointed in a year.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

President plants commemorative tree

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today planted a ‘Sandun tree’ to coincide with the “Deyata Sevana National Tree Planting Campaign” at the Kotte Ananda Sastralaya, declaring open the newly built shrine chamber donated by Asitha Liyanage, who is a member of the Old Boys’ Society of the school. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

GNOA on the streets

The Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA) today staged a protest march from the National Hospital to the Health Ministry urging the government to grant its outstanding demands. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Museveni leaves

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni today left back to Uganda from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after a three-day official visit in Sri Lanka. A group of officials including Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera and Minister of Civil Aviation, Priyankara Jayaratne participated at the event. Pix by Deepa Adikari

20 more students in hospital

Twenty students of another School at Gampola were admitted to Panwilatenna Hospital today. These students also had complained of symptoms similar to those of the Jinaraja Balika Vidyalaya students who were hospitalised yesterday due to an allergic reaction. Pix by Suranga Rajanayake

Over 1000 students hospitalized

Over 1000 students in Gampola Jinaraja Balika Vidyalaya were hospitalized this morning, as a result of an alleged allergic reaction. Pix by Suranga Rajanayaka

Il maha viru samaruma

The Commemoration of November Heroes’ to commemorate those who laid down their lives including the founder of the party Comrade Rohana Wijeweera was celebrated by the JVP in Colombo, today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Colombo-Katunayake Expressway

Work on the underpass of the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (CKE) has got off the ground and the workers were seen busy at work. The Colombo-Katunayake Expressway is funded by China. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘Get well soon JJ’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday visited the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital to inquire the wellbeing of the UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena who is recovering from a heart attack.(President Media)

Ugandan President here

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka. The delegation was welcomed by a group of officials including External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris. Pix by Deepa Adikari

The Festival of Lights

Hindus around the world celebrate Deepavali the festival of lights today. This festival has a sublime significance, for it symbolises the victory of good forces over evil forces. The picture shows Hindu devotees taking part in religious rituals in light of the Deepavali Festival at the Sri Manickavinayagar temple in Bambalapitiya. Pix by Samantha Perera

Golden Key case taken up today

The case against the Golden Key of the Ceylinco Group of Companies was taken up at the Colombo High Courts today. The investors of the Company were also present at the courts. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Former IDPs re-settled at Keppapilavu

The last batch of IDPs from the Menik Farm was re-settled in the Keppapilavu model village in Mullaitivu.  Some 180 families are residing in the village. Houses and temporary schools are being built by the military in the village.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Hemakumara with Ranil

Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe at the media conference of Vipakshaye Virodaya. Mav Bima Janatha Party Leader Hemakumara Nanayakra, United Socialist Party Leader Siritunga Jayasuriya, NSSP Leader Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne are also present. Pix By Kushan Pathiraja

Armed Forces Remembrance Day

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day was marked today at the Cenotaph, Viharamaha Devi Park with the participation of senior armed forces officers and ex-servicemen. It is organized by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

“Handicrafts exhibition 2012”

The Handicraft exhibition organised by the National Crafts Council was inaugurated today at the Colombo National Art Gallery. The exhibition will be held till November 12. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Vegetable farmers in distress

Vegetable farmers in Nuwara-Eliya area have faced a great difficulty as their cultivation has got destroyed due to the prevailing rainy weather condition and strong winds. Pix by Rathnam Kogulan

Misty conditions on E01

The Southern Expressway (E01) was seen covered with mist this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Sharing a lighter moment

The current deadlock between the government and the TNA doesn’t seem to have affected President Mahinda Rajapkasa, who is pictured here in discussion with the TNA leader R. Sambanthan and another TNA MP during the traditional post budget tea party. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

300 rescued

At least 300 people from 67 families were displaced in the Thambapanniya 1 and 2 areas which were inundated after the sluice gates of the Thabbowa reservoir were opened. The displaced were rescued by the Navy on boats moved them to safer places. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Video: Police save cattle

Dambulla Police apprehended a cab which was transporting cattle without a license from Dambulla to Ja-ela, this morning. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa  ? ? ?

Young lawyers over impeachment

Young Lawyers Association today launched a petition campaign at Hulftsdorp court complex over the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Video: ‘Unite Country with power sharing’

A press briefing was held today at Barnes place Colombo with the participation of the leader of the Democratic People's Front Mano Ganesan, Azad Sali, Sirithunga Jayasurya, Wickramabahu Karunarathne, and TNA MP MA Sumanthiran to discuss about the Divi Neguma protest which was held at the Parliament road yesterday. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Elephant killed by electrocution

The Kantale Elephant Control Unit had apprehended a suspect who had killed an elephant on Tuesday by electrocuting it. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

US Presidential Election 2012

In support of Divi Neguma Bill

Several trade unions and politicians staged a demonstration on Parliament road today in support of the Divi Neguma Bill. Pix by Nisal baduge

“National Skills and Innovation Competition 2012”

“National Skills and Innovation Competition 2012” organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development was inaugurated by the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the BMICH today. The exhibition will be held till Thursday (08). Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Madusha returns…

Sri Lankan beauty Madusha Mayadunne, who became the 2nd runner up at the 52nd Miss International 2012 pageant held in Okinawa, Japan, arrived here on Monday night. She was welcomed by Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera and several others at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Pix by Deepa Adikari-Air Port

Calling for justice

People’s Movement for Democracy staged a protest march today from Hulftsdorp to Fort Railway Station against the impeachment motion of the CJ. Pix by Samantha Perera

Shouting for a pay hike

“Jathika Suwa Seva Sangamaya” staged a protest outside the Kalubowila General Hospital today demanding a pay hike in the upcoming budget. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana