Giant croc saved

A crocodile measuring more than 15 feet drifted to the sea due to floods through the estuary of the Nilvala River in Matara and was saved by the officials of the District Disaster Management Centre with the help of Matara police and the residents of the area yesterday. It had been struggling for survival for more than five hours before it was saved. (Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)

Ranil meets Indian delegation

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met the visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel today. Several UNP senior MPs including General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, Senior Vice President Lakshman Kiriella, Wijedasa Rajapaksa, T. M. Swarynathan, R. Yogarajan, and UNP Chairman Jayawickrema Perera participated in the discussion. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Upgraded railway track unveiled

Pictures show the upgraded coastal railway track from Kalutara to Matara which was declared opened today with the participation of the visiting Indian parliamentary delegation. (Pix by Samantha Perera)

Commander visits war heroes

In connection with the dawn of Sinhala and Hindu New Year Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya visited differently able War Heroes at the MoD built, ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’ (wellness resort) yesterday. Seen here the commander sharing a light moment with a disabled soldier who lost his eyes and both of his legs. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Seychelles Foreign Minister in SL

he Seychelles Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam arrived in the island early this morning. During the visit, the Seychelles Foreign Minister is to hold bilateral talks with the External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to discuss issues of mutual interest with a view to further enhancing  bilateral relations between the two countries. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Media person dies in fatal accident

The Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation van which met an accident  in Rambawa that killed one of its directors and injured five others. Pix by Athula Bandara

Protest against police

People attending the funeral of Nimal Chandrasiri, a fisherman in Wadduwa who died in police custody recently, held a protest during the funeral procession, today. Pix by Sandika Fonseka

Rugby season kicks off

The annual Singer Under-19 Schools’ rugby tournament kicked off today with several matches being played around the city. Seen below are pictures of the match between Zahira College and St. Benedict’s played at the Zahira Grounds in Maradana. The home team won the match 49-12. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Indian MPs visit IDPs

The Indian parliamentary delegation led by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Settikulam, Vavuniya this morning. Thereafter they met the resettle people in  Kombavil. Seen here Ms. Swaraj in discussion with the IDPs. Pix by Romesh Madusanka

Mobile CCTV camera unit

Police Chief N.L Illangakone launched the first mobile Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system today. The system is installed inside a van and it will monitor traffic and other incidents taking place within Colombo. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Abbas visits Independence Square

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who is on a two day state visit to Sri Lanka, visited the Independence Square this morning. His visit is intended to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and to promote investment opportunities. Several memorandum of understanding to meet these objects will also be signed.  Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Indian delegation arrives

The delegation led by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj arrived  Colombo early this morning and will visit northern and eastern Sri Lanka, which bore the brunt of three decades of conflict, besides making a visit to central and southern parts of the island. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Ghandi statue restored

The statue of the great  Indian freedom fighter Mahathma Ghandhi which was vandalized in Batticaloa was restored to its original nature recently. Pictures show the statue of Ghandhi after restoration. Pix by Jauffer khan

Palestine President arrives

Palestine President Muhammad Abbas arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday night (15) for a two day visit. The delegation included Palestine Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Riyad N.A.Malki and several senior officials.

Pettah deserted

Pictured here are scenes from Pettah, the countries trading hub this morning. Pettah was deserted with the entire country going on holiday mood in lieu of the New Year. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

The Derby in the hills

The blue riband of Sri Lankan horse racing ‘The Governors Cup’ was held this morning at the Nuwara Eliya Turf Club. The event is considered a blend of fashion and fusion by many residing here and abroad. Picture shows the winning horse -‘Coffee Café’- and its proud owner with the trophy.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

For a blessed a year

The Annointing of Oil at the auspicious hour was ceremoniously held today at the Gangarama Viharaya. Pictured here are devotees at the ceremony held this morning.( Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Before the dawn of the New Year

Shoppers are seen here in Vavuniya town, doing their last minute shopping before the dawn of the New Year. Pix by Romesh Madusanka

Effects of the Sumatra quake

Pictures show the tremors felt in different parts of the country, as a result of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Sumatra Indonesia. The Metrology Department said evacuation warnings would be issued to coastal areas.

Tremor in Colombo

Certain parts of Colombo felt slight tremors a short while ago as a result of  8.9 magnitude earthquake in Sumathra Indonesia. The department of metrology said that evacuation warnings would be issued to all coastal areas.

Country roads take me home

People are pictured here rushing home in time to celebrate the new year. People from all parts of Colombo are seen gathered at the Pettah bus stand, leaving Colombo almost deserted. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

A smile that speaks...

Dimuthu Artigala the member of the Frontline Socialist Party is pictured here hours after she was released by her captors. Artigala spoke at a press conference where she detailed her ordeal. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Lightning strikes

Thunder storms in Colombo inundated several parts of Colombo causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians alike. Seen here is some of the flooding and lighting. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest against abduction

The Frontline Socialist Party today staged a protest from Sugathadasa to Panchikawatta roundabout demanding the government to denounce the abduction of Frontline Socialist Party activists Premakumar Gunarathnam and Dimithu Atigala. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

First convention

Pictures show the first convention of the Frontline Socialist Party which was held at the Sugathadasa Stadium today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Towards a new beginning

Children are seen here participating in a race at a traditional New Year sports contest held in Minuwangoda recently. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Until the end of time

Pictured here are some of the farmers of Mullathiwu who have not been able to sell their produce due to government regulation and lack of storage facilities. The farmers say that due to this they have been compelled to sell their produce much below the very minimum they could afford. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Celebrations in tough times

The country is all set and ready to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The harsh economic conditions prevailing in the country seems to have not dissuaded the shoppers seen here at main street Pettah.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

'No it’s not him'

The body guards of IGP N.K Illangakone seem to be saying this to a contestant in the traditional “Kanamutti Bindeema” contest at the annual New year celebrations of the Police department which was held today at the Police Park grounds in Bambalapitiya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Test series drawn

Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene and England's captain Andrew Strauss hold up the cup after their teams drew in their test series in Colombo April 7, 2012. REUTERS