Tanks in Vanni drying up

Ninety Three out of hundred irrigation tanks are at the risk of drying out due to the prevailing drought experienced in the Vavuniya District.  Irrigation department officials forecast that if the drought continues, tanks will go completely dry within few days. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Docs in NWP in token strike

The government doctors belonging to the North Western Provincial Council area have launched a token strike today, protesting over issues with their telephone facilities.

Hindu Ceremony to commemorate airmen

A Hindu religious ceremony was held at the Kappittawatta Shivam Kovil today to commemorate the air force soldiers who were killed in the battle. Air vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama was also present at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Cartoon of the day

Indian team meets High Commissioner

High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha today met the Indian cricket team at the Indian house, Colombo and hosted them to a dinner. The High Commissioner wished the team success for the remainder of the series. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Students’ election in Naula

A students’ parliament election was held at Naula Sri Naga national school today, according to a circulation issued to schools by the Education Department. 1237 students from grade six to thirteen were eligible to vote at the election. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Four ministries to develop Welioya

Four ministries have taken initiatives to develop resettlement villages in the Welioya area. Accordingly Economic Development ministry, Ministry of Resettlements, Housing and Engineering Service ministry, and the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management have contributed in the development of infrastructure facilities in the area. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Editors meet the president

Electronic and Print media editors met the president at temple trees today. Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, G.L. Peiris, Basil Rajapaksa, S.B.Dissanayaka and several Ministerial secretaries and Electronic and Print media editors were present at this occasion.Pix by Sudath Silva

“Give us solutions”

Students of the Engineering faculty of the University of Moratuwa staged a protest today in front of the university premises urging the government to provide solutions to the students aggrieved by the Z- Score fiasco and the other internal university matters. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Forest Fire

A 10 acre forest belonging to Forest Conservation Department (FCD) in Diganpathaha, Sigiriya caught fire last evening. The police and FCD officers managed to douse the fire. The picture shows the police attempting to douse the fire. Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

JHU convention

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) held their 9th convention today at the Maharagama Youth Centre and appointed new office bearers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Before the Perehara…

Elephants, who are participating in the Kandy Randoli Perahera are seen having a bath hours before the start of the Perahera. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Water cutting ceremony…

The water cutting ceremony of the Mayurapathi Kovil, Wellawatte was held this morning in the Wellawatte seas, with the participation of a large number of devotees. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating...

Suresh Raina is congratulated by Irfan Pathan after India's victory off the last over, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd ODI, Colombo, on Saturday. Photos/AFP

Offering honey...

The Veddah chief Vanniala Attho is seen here offering bee honey and bee combs to the sacred tooth relic. The Veddah community traditionally offers bee honey and combs during the Kandy historic Esala Perahera to the Sacred tooth relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah

Video: ‘Conserve energy today to brighten up tomorrow’

A walk aimed at educating the public in the conservation of energy was organized by the Ceylon Electricity Board today. President Mahinda Rajapaksa took part the walk to show his support. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Work in progress

A worker toiling at the Sapugaskanda oil refinery to make ends meet during the shutdown of the refinery for maintenance and modernization purposes. The oil refinery which was closed on July 2 will be reopened on August 5.  Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Activists want quality for all Communities

Human Rights Activists today staged a protest and a signature collecting campaign outside Fort Railway Station urging the government to release political prisoners and ensure equality for all communities.Pix by Nisal Baduge

Disabled soldiers at wellness resort

Disabled soldiers enjoying facilities at the Brave Hearts Wellness Resort in Anuradhapura (also known as ‘Abhimansala’) operated by the army. The wellness resort will initially provide lifelong care for fully disabled soldiers.  Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

First anniversary…

An all night Pirith chanting ceremony is being held tonight at the Brave Hearts Wellness Resort in Anuradhapura (also known as ‘Abhimansala’) to celebrate its first anniversary. Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya was the Chief Guest of the event. The wellness resort will initially provide lifelong care for 52 fully disabled soldiers. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Save our futures

Students of the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today urging the government to ensure a proper environment for students to get an education and bring about a lasting solution to the shortcomings pertaining to the education sector. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest by the University Youth Front

A protest organized by the University Youth Front urging authorities to do justice to students who had suffered due to the Z-score crisis was held in front of the University Grants Commission (UGC) office today. Pix by Dickson Wasantha

Z-score protest

Advanced Level students and their parents staged a protest in front of the UGC urging the government to revise the Z- score which was issued recently. Picture shows a student who sat for the GCE Advanced Level examination last year holding a list of names with changed Z-score values. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dying leopard rescued

A dying leopard, caught in a wild boar trap, was rescued and released by the Vavuniya Wildlife Conservation Officers yesterday. Pictures show the Wildlife Conservation Officers trying to free the leopard. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

President inspects Housing Complex

President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, made an inspection tour at the renovated Maligawatta Housing Complex today.  Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and the Colombo Mayor Mohammad Muzammil who accompanied the president are in the pictures. Pix by Sudath Silva

Walking protest

The Socialist Youth Union, a movement affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, staged a walking protest from the Vavuniya railway station to the urban council yesterday urging the unity among all ethnic groups of the country.  Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Principals and teachers take to the streets

The Sri Lanka United Teachers’ Union (SUTU) today staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya urging the government to solve the several problems faced by teachers’ and principals’. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Lawyers protest against Mannar incident

Group of lawyers including members of the Mannar Bar Association staged a protest march in Hulftsdorp today. The protesting lawyers marched from the Supreme Court Complex to the bar association building near the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court complex. They urged the government to arrest the minister who was involved in the Mannar incident. Pix by Samantha Perera

Demanding justice from SLIC

Former employees of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation staged a protest today urging the authorities’ to pay them compensation for being dismissed from service unfairly during the period in which the SLIC was privatized. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sri Lanka thrashes India by 9 wickets

India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni shakes hands with Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene after India lost the second one-day international (ODI) cricket match to Sri Lanka, in Hambantota last evening (July 24). REUTERS