Mud Festival

People play in the mud during the Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon beach in Boryeong, about 190 km (118 miles) southwest of Seoul, July 15, 2012. About 2 to 3 million domestic and international tourists visit the beach during the annual mud festival, according to the festival organisers. REUTERS

Protest on a tree

A person identified as Lalith Wijesinghe is reported to have climbed up a tree outside Dambulla Magistrate today in protest over the verdict given by the Dambulla Magistrate. A police team had taken him down with great effort. The man had climbed the tree after the Magistrate released a suspect who was accused of having obtained Rs.300,000 from Wijesinghe in 2008. The Court had ordered the release because of the lack of evidence to prove that t

Fonseka visits church

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and his wife Anoma visited the Tewatte Basilica Church and participated in the church service today. Later they visited the Rosarian Convent and expressed their gratitude to the Sisters for their blessings during the time of distress.  Pix by Devapriaya Chandrasiri

Maldivian protest in Colombo

Members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held a protest near the Maldivian Embassy in Colombo yesterday calling for the resignation of President Mohamed Waheed and urging a free and fair general election. Some protesters are seen holding placards during the protest. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A failed attempt…

A group of 109 asylum seekers, who attempted to flee to Australia in a trawler, was nabbed by the Sri Lanka Navy yesterday. Here asylum seekers on board the trawlers soon after their arrival at the Trincomalee Naval Base last night.

Aerial view…

An aerial view of the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Plant, which was commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo this morning. Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka and several government ministers and officials were also present. Pix-President’s Media

S. Asia’s largest hotel show

South Asia’s largest hospitality exhibition, Hotel Show 2012, was held at the BMICH today. The exhibition showcased hotel products and supplies along with services. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Looking for...

Members of the UNP Nomination Board interviewing a potential candidate for the forthcoming provincial council elections. The interviews took place at the party headquarters, Sirikotha today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Sirikotha under construction

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake supervising the reconstruction work on the UNP head quarters ‘Sirikotha’ today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Iranamadu gone dry

A large population including over 9000 farmers who depend on the Iranamadu reservoir for irrigation facilities and drinking water face a major crisis due to the prolonged drought experienced in the Kilinochchi District. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Against rabies

Due to the increase of stray dogs and cats, there is a possibility of rabies spreading in the Vavuniya district. The pictures show a group of veterinary doctors conducting sterilization operations and giving the anti-rabies vaccine.  Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Seminar on poverty alleviation

Indian Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh and Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris are seen here at a seminar on poverty alleviation. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

160th anniversary of CMS

The 160th anniversary of the Christian Missionary School (CMS) was marked today under the patronage of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Seen here are the secretary along with former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and other politicians inspecting the old school buildings that are to be renovated within the next few years. Pix By Waruna Wanniarachchi

Against threat and intimidation

Activists across the social and political spectrum held a joint protest at the Lipton Circus in Colombo, today. Leaders of opposition parties together with activists urged the government to stop threats and intimidation on the media, and protested against the proposed website regulation. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Leaflet campaign to stop curruption

The Health Services Trade Union Alliance today carried out a leaflet distribution campaign to educate the people on the alleged large scale corruption in the health sector. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Pensioners stage massive protest

Members of the All Ceylon Pensioners’ Organisation held a protest outside the Fort Railway Station today to urge the government to fulfill the promises it made during the elections and solve the problems faced by pensioners. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Death sentence...

Jude Shramantha Jayamaha is being escorted by the prison officials after the Court of Appeal sentenced him to death for the murder of a 19 year-old Swedish girl at the Royal Park condominium in 2005. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah

Against Wimal

A lone protestor is pictured here holding a banner urging the authorities to take action against what the protestor termed “ Robbery”. Trade Unions attached to the State Engineering Corporation said that they will continue their protest until there was an end to corruption and an increase in their salaries. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Buffalo transport

Police personnel on night patrol yesterday detected a trishaw transporting a buffalo with its feet tied and covered with gunny bags. The buffalo was rescued while the trishaw and its driver were taken into custody. Pix by S. Galappatthi

For the release of many

A protest was held by the Movement for the release of Political prisoners opposite, the Fort railway station today. The protestors also condemned the recent death of a Vavuniya prison inmate. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

A picture says a thousand words

Cartoonists were invited today to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksha, for breakfast at Temple Trees. Pictured here are cartoonists with the President during the meeting. (Pix by Sudath Silva)

Another day at Court

Hirunika Premachandra is seen leaving the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this morning after attending the court inquiry into the killing of her father Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Van catches fire on E01

A van caught fire at the 12.6Km post on the Southern Expressway (E01), near Bandaragama, this morning. An expressway fire-fighting unit rushed to the scene and attempted to douse the fire but to no avail. The two men onboard managed to escape unhurt. The expressway Traffic Division is conducting further inquiries. Pix by Kusal Chamath

“Bous a la Mar”

A bull chasing revellers jumps into the sea during the “Bous a la Mar” festival in the eastern Spanish coastal town of Denia July 9, 2012. During this festival, revellers emerging from protective barriers provoke bulls to chase them until they both fall into the sea. The bulls are then rescued by small boats who tow them to safety. REUTERS

Protest over child abuse

A demonstration against the increase in the abuse of children was held in Fort today. It was organized by the Women for right. Pictures show some of the participants at the demonstration. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sluice gates open

Following heavy rains in the Norton Bridge area, two sluice gates of the Lakshapana reservoir and six gates of the Wimalasurendra reservoir were opened this morning, after the water level had reached spilling level. (Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa)

Video: Appeal for being cashiered

The Court of Appeal today re- fixed the writ application of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to the 2nd of October. Fonseka is challenging the verdict 1st court martial which sentenced him to be cashiered from the army. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Reaping the benefits of the ocean

Fishermen in Kalmunai are pictured here netting their catch. Kalmunai is reported to have netted the highest harvest during the fishing season this year. (Pix by Kushan Pathiaraja)

Can't stomach the pain of separation

In an emotional scenario, this nine-year-old boy Tharusha Lakshan is feeding his only sister - two-year-old Chalanika Kavisha who is not big enough to realize that she is going to lose his brotherly love for two weeks, moments before they go their separate ways.... more

Mahiyangana-Ampara road

Workers are busy with the construction work in the Dambana area on the Mahiyangana-Ampara road today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja