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

Dead fish…

Picture shows some thousands of dead fish in the Arugam Bay due to the current drought situation badly affecting the eastern province. Action has been taken by the authorities to find out the reasons for the unprecedented deaths. People in the area have been advised to refrain from consuming dead fish. Pix by U Wijesinghje-Potuvil 

Celebrating

Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Kulasekara celebrates with teammate Dinesh Chandimal the dismissal of Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan during the opening day of the third and final Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele today (08).  Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat. AFP

For the finals....

Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara stretch during a practice session ahead of their third and final test cricket match against Pakistan in Pallekele today (7). Reuters

Shut down!

Sri Lanka X-news and Lankamirror websites editor Ruwan Ferdinandez today surrendered to the Colombo Chief Magistrate. UNP members Mangala Samaraweera and Ravi Karunanayake were present in court. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Discussing pros and cons of potential candidates

SLFP General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is seen talking to Administration and Home Affairs Minister John Seneviratne during the interview to select candidates for the forthcoming provincial council elections. Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka is also seen in the picture. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Farm to fork exhibition

Pro Food Pro Pack and Agbiz 2012, an exhibition showcasing the food chain from ‘farm to fork’ was declared open by the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa today. Exhibitors from Malaysia, Turkey, Argentina and many other countries are taking part in the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Coal miners attack police

Spanish miners fire homemade rockets towards the Spanish National Police during a miners' demonstration in El Entrego, inside “Pozo Soton” near Langreo, northern Spain, on July 4, 2012. Spanish coal miners are staging a nationwide strike action organized by unions opposed to subsidy reductions from 301 million euros to 111 million euros. AFP

New police station

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa opened the newly built Malwathuhiripitiya police station in Gampaha today. Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K Illangakone also participated at the ceremony. OIC of the police S.B Magalegoda and his policemen held a guard of honour for the chief guest. Pix By Kushan Pathiraja

Waiting for the auspicious time

The foundation stone for the construction of the Secretariat for Personal Identification was laid in Battaramulla this morning. Pictured here are Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and  Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa awaiting the arrival of the auspicious time. The state of the art complex is projected to cost 7.5 billion rupees and is set to be completed within three years. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Street show for Archeology week

Celebrating the Archeology week, the Department of Archaeology today organised a programme to educate the public against the destruction of historic artifacts. Seen here are actors engaging in a street performance opposite the Fort train station. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

No comments: EC

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya told a news conference today that he was not in a position to comment on the merits or demerits of establishing an independent election commission. Pix Nisal Baduge

'Sign and say no'

Intellectuals and Organizations against Private Medical Schools today organised the signing of a petition against the Malabe Private Medical School. The campaign was held outside the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

'More runs to score'

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara run between wickets during the fourth day of their second test match against Pakistan in Colombo today. Pic by Reuters

SB’s date with Dates

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake seen picking dates from a date palm tree at Kaththankudi in Batticaloa when he visited the area yesterday. Pix by Sukri

World’s largest Esala Perahara

The world’s largest Esala Perahara was held yesterday with the participation of 12,500 school children from 385 schools. Children from all communities and religions participated according to the Ministry of Education which organised the event. President Mahinda Rajapaksa also viewed the Perahera when it was passing the Temple Trees last evening. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Blessings from Buddha

Today is Esala full moon Poya day, which is celebrated by Buddhists Island wide. Esala Poya is significant to Buddhists as the day Buddha preached his first dhamma sermon, the 'Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta'. The picture shows devotees at the Gangarama temple taking part in religious observances. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

‘Sanjana Putha’

Some 39 asylum seekers, thought to be Sri Lankan, on their fishing boat waiting to be transferred to Christmas Island’s ‘Flying Fish Cove’. Pic courtesy PerthNow

Passing out parade

A passing out parade was held today at the Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) for 140 Officer Cadets, including 2 female cadets, who successfully completed their training. Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga was the Chief Guest. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya also participated in the Ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Evaluating the development

President Mahinda Rajapaksa together with other senior ministers including Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa participated at a district development committee meeting held at the Matale Urban Council, today. Pix by Sudath Silva

The minor employees strike

A group of minor employees of the Vavunaiya Urban Council today staged protest demanding immediate confirmation in their posts. They said they have been employed in casual basis for more than ten years and their representations to the UC administration to make them permanent had been ignored... Pix by Romesh Madusanka

'Out you go'

Pakistan's Asad Shafiq is run out by Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan on the third day of their second cricket test match in Colombo July 2, 2012.   REUTERS

Drought in Puttalam

The prolong drought has affected a large population in the Puttlam district. Thousands of people are facing hardship for want of drinking water. Anamaduwa, Navagattegama, Mahakumbukkadawala, Wanathawiluwa, and Mundalama areas are the worst affected. Tanks, village water courses and garden wells have run dry compelling the people to go in search of water to distant areas. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

FR petition against website raid

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera addresses a media conference where he announced his decision to file a fundamental rights petition against the raid on the Sri Lanka X news web sire office. Pic by Nisal Baduge

President unveils Buddha statue

President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiled the new Buddha statue of Sri Bodhirukkaramaya in Modarawana Okewela today. Pix by Nalin Hewapathirana

President opens Dharma Shalawa

The newly built Dharma Shalawa of the Tangalle Purana Wanawasa Kuda Viharaya was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa today. Pix by Nalin Hewapathirana

Two shops gutted by fire in Rajagiriya

Fire fighters from the Colombo and Kotte Fire Brigades battled for about two hours to douse a fire that broke out in Ambagaha Handiya in Rajagiriya last night. Two shops  were damaged by the fire that erupted around midnight yesterday. No injuries were reported. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

‘Gajaba’ Colours Night

In recognition of the sportsmen of the Gajaba Regiment, a Colours Night was held at the Musaeus College Auditorium, Colombo last night. Picture shows one of the officers being honoured for his outstanding performances in the field of sports. Pix Nisal Baduge