Fire at Rahangala Mountain

A forest fire erupted at the Rahangala mountain range, destroying more than six acres of the Turpentine plantation in Ohiya, last night. Forest department officials and villagers are currently in the process of dousing the fire. Pix by Rathnam Kogulan

Havies beat Lions

Havelock SC beat the Upcountry Lions 32-31 in the semi finals of the Dialog Clifford Cup yesterday at Havelock Park. Seen here pictures from the match. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Against the FUTA protest

Members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Students Organization (SLFSO), Inter University Independent Students Union (IUISU) and the Organisation of Undergraduates’ Parents (OUP) launched a protest outside the Fort Railway Station today over the trade union action of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA). Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Discussion on education issues

A discussion was held today with the participation of the Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) to address the issues pertaining to the Higher Education sector including the trade union actions of the university lecturers. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: ACLDI protest in Fort

All Ceylon Livestock Development Instructors' (ACLDI) union today staged a protest in front of the Fort railway station urging the authorities to take steps to develop the Livestock productivity. Pix and video by Kithsiri de Mel

This is where the funds come from

Veteran Trade Union leader Bala Thampoe donated funds worth Rs. 500,000 to the FUTA at a ceremony held today. Thampoe made this donation on behalf of the trade unions he represents. Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr. Mahim Mendis accepted the donation on behalf of the University dons. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Elephants bathing session in Lake Leman

Dehli, Ceylon and MaPalaj, Indian elephants of the Swiss national circus Knie, swim in Lake Leman during an organised bathing session in Lausanne October 2, 2012. Each year the three elephants of the circus enjoy a refreshing bath in the lake during the warm late summer days. REUTERS

Increase salary by Rs.13, 442.50

The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) distributed leaflets to the public in front the Fort Railway Station today urging the government to increase the salaries of public servants by Rs.13, 422.50. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pass Divi Neguma bill

Samurdhi Officers and recipients today staged a protest in front of the Trincomalee Provincial Secretariat office urging the council to pass the Divi Neguma bill. The bill was taken up at the Council sessions today. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

Fuel Bowser crashes into transformer

A bowser transporting fuel crashed into an electrical transformer near the Open University this morning. The collision caused serious injuries to the driver and heavy damage to the transformer. The injured driver was admitted to the Kalubowila hospital and is in a critical condition. Mirihana police are conducting further investigations. Pix by Tillekaratne Dissanayake

Preparing for 63rd Army Day

The 63rd Army Day celebrations began with the blessings of the flags at the Annuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhiya under the patronage of Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya. The Army Day falls on October 10. Picture courtesy SL Army

Walking protest to mark Children’s Day

The Women for Rights organization staged a walking protest today from Technical Junction to Colombo Fort to coincide with World Children’s Day, stressing the need to establish a just society for children. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Britisher

Another 91 tickets were found hidden inside the underwear of the Britisher who is alleged to have stolen 84 ICC World Cup T20 tickets from the Thurstan College playground ticket counter on Sunday, police informed court today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating children’s day

A ceremony organized by the Ministry of Public Relations and Public Affairs was held today at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to celebrate the World Children’s Day. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Mervyn Silva also participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A tense situation in Vidyaloka Vidyalaya

A tense atmosphere was reported this morning at the Galle Vidyaloka Vidyalaya due to a protest against the newly appointed principal. Pix by D.G. Sugathapala and Sajeewa Wijeweera

Dog Show…

A dog show, organised by the Blue Paw Trust and the Colombo Municipal Council was held at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) premises today. An Air Force dog display was also held during the event. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah

Sanga...

Kumar Sangakkara plays a shot during the Sri Lanka v West Indies match at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday. Photo Getty Images

Mass support for free education

People turned out in their thousands today to support the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) rally at Hyde Park. Here political leaders and the public listen to one of the many speeches made at the meeting. Pix by Samantha Perera

Fighting for a cause

University lecturers, civil society movements, political groups and students joined today in Colombo, for the protest march organized by the University lecturers. The protesters demand that the government spend 6% of the GDP towards the countries education with the main slogan of the protestors being “ Save state education”

Road closed

Roads that were closed due to the protest at Town Hall.

TNA members take oaths

The eleven provincial council members of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) who were elected to the Eastern provincial council took oaths before TNA leader R. Sampanthan today at the Trincomalee Town Hall. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

Attempt to smuggle items of historical value thwarted

Five Sri Lankans who attempted to smuggle out ancient coins, ornaments, and various other items of historical values belonging to the Polonnaruwa reign and periods of Dutch and Portuguese rule, by concealing in their baggage were arrested this evening at the Bandaranaike International Airport by the customs authorities. (Pix by By Deepa Adikari)

FSP protest at Lipton Circus

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) today staged a protest at Lipton Circus, Colombo over the existing fiasco in the country’s education system and call on the government to allocate six percent for the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the education sector. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A salute for yesterday

Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage, the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy assumed duties as the 18thNaval Officer to reach the helm in the 61-year history of the Naval Service. Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage and former Commander Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake are pictured here saluting each other at theNavy Head Quarters today. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Anjali with friends...

Anjali Upeksha Madhuwanthi Rathnayake of Thalathuoya Junior School who also received the highest marks at the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination told Daily Mirror that she did not attend tuition classes but studied what she was taught in school. Seen here Anjali Rathnayake with her friends during a school trip to Galle Face, Colombo today.  (Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana)

Have we passed?

Children of Isipathana College, Colombo 05, together with their parents eagerly look at their year five scholarship examination results which were released today. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Sea of innocence

A group of novice monks are seen here enjoying a sea bath at the Pasikudah beach yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Businessman arrested with contraband

A jewellery businessman from Ambalangoda was arrested with five bags of Ayurvedic medicines brought from Chennai, India without permission from the Health Ministry, by the Katunayaka Airport Customs officers today. Pix by Deepa Adikari

No more displaced people

With the resettlement of the last group of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Northern region’s Mullaitivu district the Menik Farm in Vavuniya would be closed today. Pix by Wanni Romesh Madushanka

Video: Protest over anti Islamic video

A protest march was held today from Bambalapitiya Junction to the US Embassy over the controversial anti-Islamic video made in the US. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.