Oil leak again

Leaking oil from the pipeline between Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery and Colombo Port being removed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Video: 3rd task force completes four years

Sri Lanka army celebrated the fourth anniversary of the third task force at the Akkareipattuwa army head quarters this morning. Brigadier Haren Perera was the chief guest of the ceremony. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala ??? 

Tearful memories…

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday unveiled the new ‘Ranaviru’ Monument at Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Headquarters at Boyagane and dedicated it to the eternal memory of all those VIR fallen War Heroes. Picture shows a widow of a fallen soldier at the monument. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

LTTE weapons

The military had recently recovered one of the largest stock of weapons in the post war period. They included five artillery guns-130 mm and 152mm-and a boat fitted with two powerful engines hidden by the LTTE in the Vellamullivaikkal beach at Mullaitivu. Soldiers are seen digging out the weapons yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Calling for change

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and several other senior MPs met the Election Commissioner to urge him to reconsider the newly proposed electoral list. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the proposed format comprises many shortcomings which need to be addressed forthwith. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Rocks fall on road

Traffic on the Colombo-Batticaloa main road has come to a stand still since large rocks had fallen on to the road at the 186 mile post near the Galkanda area between Beragala and Koslanda. Pix by Palitha Ariyawansa

Strong winds cause heavy damage

At lease 80 people of 24 families were displaced in Wellawatte due to strong winds experienced last evening. Two houses were entirely damaged while more houses were partially damaged. The displaced people are temporarily housed at the Bodhirukkarama Temple in Wellawatte. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Gale hits many areas

A gale that hit several areas including Haputale, Diyathalawa and Bandarawela caused extensive damage to 40 line houses in Rohaminton Estate in Haputale and 16 line houses in Nayabedda estate in Bandarawela. More than 200 displaced persons are staying with their relatives. Pix by Palitha Ariyawansa

Promoting a healthy lifestyle

In line with its commitment to encourage healthy lifestyle habits among Sri Lankans, Unilever Sri Lanka's Flora brand yesterday launched the Colombo Cycling Club project at the Independence Square in partnership with Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. The picture shows Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa riding a bicycle initiating the project. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Fallen trees cause traffic congestion

Traffic congestion was caused due to two fallen trees along the Panchikawatta and Nawaloka roads this evening. Police and the fire brigade brought the traffic situation under control. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Shout to resolve nurses' issues

Nurses’ unions today staged a protest outside the Health Ministry urging the authorities to introduce a new recruitment process for nurses. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Shout for a pay hike

A collective of trade unions today staged a protest outside the Inland Revenue Department demanding a pay hike in the upcoming Budget. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Oman FM arrives

Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman met External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at External Affairs Ministry today. He is on a one-day official visit during which he is due to meet the President as well in order to make donations to the development projects in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

STF to recruit more personnel

The elite Special Task Force (STF) is currently recruiting more than 600 police constables. Interviews where they were subjected to physical tests were held at the Police Park over the last three days. Pix By Nisal Baduge

UNP MPs Complain to the bribery commission

Several UNP MPs including Sujeewa Senasinghe, Talatha Atukorala, and Rosy Senanayake today lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission against the investment on Greek Bonds. Pix by Nisal Badhuge

New York in darkness

Much of New York was plunged into darkness on Monday by a superstorm that overflowed the city's historic waterfront and flooded the financial district and subway tunnels and cut power to hundreds of thousands of people. Picture shows the skyline of lower Manhattan in darkness after a preventive power outage in New York on Monday night.(Reuters)

Video: GNOA protest

  Government Nursing Officers’ Association today staged a protest outside the Colombo General Hospital from 11.00am to 1.00 pm on several demands including the increase of over time payments. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Mist in Nuwara Eliya

The heavy rains in Nuwara Eliya and the suburbs due to the prevailing weather condition. Seen here is a town area covered with heavy mist. Pix by Shelton Hettiarchchi.

People hit by heavy showers

Heavy rains brought on by the North Eastern Monsoon have disturbed the day-to-day activities of people throughout the country, as showers splash in with some roads becoming inundated. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Accident

Several passengers were injured in a collision between a bus and a van at Uraniya in Walachchenai, Batticaloa this morning. Pix by Jifran Khan

Vap full moon Poya day

Vap full moon Poya day is of paramount importance to Buddhists world wide and particularly for us in Sri Lanka due to a number of special events that took place on this particular poya day including King Devanampiyatissa’s invitation to King Asoka to establish the Bhikkhuni Sasana in Sri Lanka. Pictured here are devotees observing religious rituals at the Kelaniya Temple. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Promising slice of relief?

President Mahinda Rajapaksa enjoys a juicy pineapple while talking to the people in the Imbulgoda area on his way back from a function at the Attanagalle Rajamaha Vihara today. President Rajapaksa stopped at a fruit stall after seeing pineapples on display on his way back to Colombo. Pic Courtesy President’s Media

Depression condition forecast

These pictures published by the BBC show the forecast of the depression weather condition starting from this morning to Wednesday night.

Colombo Motor Show

Today is the final day of the Colombo Motor Show currently being held at the BMICH. Vehicles in their original condition and ones that have been modified along with spare parts are being showcased at the CMS. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Fish dying in the Beira

Fish in the Beira Lake have been perishing at a rapid rate due to the fast-spreading of Algae brought on by the prevalent rainy weather. Experts believe that the lack of oxygen in the water may be the cause. Pix By Nisal Baduge

Jumbo in critical condition

A wild elephant that was roaming in Kottukachchiya in Anamaduwa was treated by a wildlife veterinary surgeon yesterday. The condition of the elephant, that was said to have walking difficulties, seemed critical according to the veterinary surgeon attending to it. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

US envoy in Batti

US Ambassador Michele J. Sison paid a visit to view the historic Dutch Fort in Batticaloa and see the completion of the $52,000 grant made under the 2011 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).  Here Conservator Pali Wijeratne showing the Ambassador the Fort as it stands today. Picture courtesy US Embassy

Leader Par Excellence

A ceremony was held to launch a publication commemorating the 18th death anniversary of the late Gamini Dissanayake at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall last evening. The publication is titled ‘Leader Par Excellence, Gamini Dissanayake – Reminiscences. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Bodu Bala Sena protest

Bodu Bala Sena organised a protest march today in Badulla town against the conversion and vandalism of Buddhist heritage and the threat to the Buddhagaya by the Mujahideen terrorist group.(Pix by Palitha Ariyawansha)

Provide a profitable market

Fishermen in the Southern Province today staged a protest demanding a ban on the import of fish and canned fish and to provide a profitable market for the local production of fish. Fisher folk in several areas with the members of their families joined the protest.  Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayrauk