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

Despair over doctors' strike

Patients waiting at the OPD unit in the Colombo General Hospital this morning despite the 24-hour countrywide strike by the Government doctors. The strike was launched because the government had failed to increase the basic salaries and special allowances of doctors and had not provided a special transport allowance enjoyed by other state sector employees. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Shout for a pay hike

The Joint Trade Union Committee of Teachers and Principals staged a protest march from the Rajagiriya Ayurvedic roundabout to the Isurupaya Education Ministry today, demanding a pay hike and to resolve other issues pertaining to the education sector. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Protest march demanding solutions

Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine staged a protest march from Colombo National Hospital to Health Ministry today urging the authorities to resolve their professional issues such as increasing Call duty allowances, Overtime allowances, promotions to the first grade and some other demands. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ex Tigers join CDF to cultivate

More than 3000 former LTTE cadres who once fought against the security forces have now joined the Civil Defence Force (CDF) after completing their rehabilitation process and most of them are stationed in the Mulaithivu and Kilinochchi districts where they are working at farms with an area of 200 acres run by the CDF to meet the daily food requirements of the armed forces. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

A shout to remove salary anomalies

The collective of pensioners’ associations staged a protest outside the ministry of state administration urging the authorities to do away with their salary anomalies and resovle this matter by allocating funds in the next budget. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Six students hospitalised

At least six students were hospitalised following the clash between students of Royal College and Thurstan College this afternoon, police said. Picture shows police dispersing the students. Pix by Nisal Baduge

It’s a laughing matter

Minister Basil Rajapaksa and UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera are seen here sharing a lighter moment during the ‘Business Today Top Twenty Five awards’ ceremony that was held yesterday at Hilton Colombo. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was also present at the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

NTUC and FUTA on 6% GDP

The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) and the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) distributed leaflets today at the Fort Railway station to educate the public about the importance of a 6% GDP allocation for education. Pix by Nisal Baduge

‘Che” commemoration

“Che” Guevara Commemoration was held by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo last evening. The JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe participated in the occasion. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘Give my husband back’

A protest march was organised yesterday by Sandya Ekanigoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaliagoda, to mark the 1000th day since the journalist’s disappearance. Pix by Nisal Baduge

“Ekiya Rata Surakimu”

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Western Provincial Councilor Udaya Gammanpila are seen exchanging quiet words during a special forum titled “Ekiya Rata Surakimu” organized by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), at the Public Library in Colombo today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel 

Video: Madusha, 2nd runner-up at Miss International pageant

Madusha Mayadunne of Sri Lanka was selected as the second runner-up in the Miss International final held on October 21, 2012 in Okinawa, Japan. Ikumi Yoshimatsu from Japan was crowned Miss International 2012.

Nurses protest in Colombo

The All Ceylon Nurses Union today held a protest in front of the Colombo National Hospital demanding authorities to expand the health service as an island wide service and several other demands Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Friends in law

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in conversation with lawyers at the get-together of the National Lawyers Association at the SSC today. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Racecourse gets facelift

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Saturday declared open the fully-refurbished mini pavilion of the old Racecourse in Colombo which has been turned into a fully equipped modern shopping and restaurant complex. Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya

Video: 'Kora Aliya' tranquilized

A wild elephant, known as 'Kora Aliya' that has turned a great threat to the safety of residents in several villages of the Ampara district was tranquilized by Wildlife Department officials this morning in order to be transported to Pinnawala.Pix and video by Wasantha Chandrapala