IPL 2012

Teammates congratulate Mumbai Indians bowler Lasith Malinga after taking the wicket of unseen Pune Warriors India batsman Manish Pandey during the IPL Twenty20 cricket match between Pune Warriors India and Mumbai Indians at The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 6, 2012. AFP

Statues vandalized in Batti

A set of statues including that of Mahathma Ghandhi and the memorial statue erected in honour of the Leader of the world scout movement Lord Baden Powell were vandalized early this morning. Pictures show the statues that were vandalized by an unidentified group. Pix by M. Sukri

Religious observances

Today is Bak full moon Poya day. Picture shows Buddhist devotees worshiping at the Kelaniya Buddhist Temple this morning to mark the day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Paying tribute to comrades

JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, General Secretary Tilvin Silva and members of the Central Committee Jinadasa Kithulgoda and Nihal Gallappatthi carried bouquets to pay tribute to members who died at the 1971 insurgency on its 41st anniversary. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Identification parade for monk murders

The pictures show the suspects of the killing of two monks being brought to the Gangodawila court for an identification parade today. Two suspects were remanded until April 20 by the Gangodawila Magistrate. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tying the knot despite the wall

Two Sri Lankan prisoners including a former LTTE cadre who was convicted of plotting the bomb that injured former President Chandrika Kumarathunga were given in marriage at a ceremony held at the Welikada prison today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Celebrating Easter

A special programme was held today in the Prime Minister’s resident to celebrate the Christian festival of Easter, which will be celebrated on Sunday. Seen in the pictures are some of the guests for the event, including Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and several Members of Parliament. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja  

Protest by medical students

Medical students representing all medical faculties in the country participated in a campaign in front of the Fort Railway station today where they distributed hand bills noting the failures of the government and the difficulties brought to the higher education system by the government especially with the establishment of a private medical college in Malabe. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Woman with narcotics nabbed

Pictures show the stock of illegal drugs and 129kgs of intoxicant arecanut seized by the Police Narcotics Bureau at the Katunayake airport, after Customs Officials confiscated the stock and imposed a fine of Rs.25, 000 on the suspect. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Talents of our Elders

A handicraft exhibition and fair organized by the Ministry of Social Services was opened today at the National Arts Gallery. The exhibits on display are by elders representing all parts of the country. This exhibition was organized in order to appreciate and commend the talents of the elders. Pix by Samantha Perera

CDF Avurudu Pola

The annual ‘Avurudu Pola’ was organized for the third time by the Civil Defence Force (CDF) at its premises in Bambalapitiya. The chief guest was the chairperson of the Defence Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ayoma Rajapaksa. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Military chiefs meet

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya, who is currently on a visit to Pakistan today called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Pakistan Army, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Preparing for the second test

A media briefing was held today ahead of the second test between England and Sri Lanka which starts at the P. Saravanamuttu stadium tomorrow. Seen here is the captain Mahela Jayawardene in conversation with bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake and Coach Graham Ford. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Another fatal accident

Two persons were killed and seven others injured when the car they were travelling in collided with a bus in Kaduwela this morning. Pix by Shantha Senerviratne

Bar association meets

President’s Counsel Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa was inducted as the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for the year 2012/2013 on this evening at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo. Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake and Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem were the Chief Guest at the ceremony. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Inspecting LTTE items in Pudukudayirippu

Large number of people especially from the South is visiting the former war torn areas such as Pudukudayirippu, Pudumathalan and Mullativu to see weapons, bunkers and houses that were once operated by the LTTE. Seen here visitors inspecting such items and houses where the LTTE leaders used to stay. They are also given a brief explanation by security forces. Pix by Samantha Perera

The bliss of the Island sun

Tourists are seen here enjoying the scenes at the Independence square. The extreme humidity prevalent in the country doesn’t seem to have deterred them in enjoying the symbolic beauty in the heart of Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Life afresh…

Rehabilitated former LTTE female members during a bridal show held today at the Ramakrishna Hall, Wellawatta, where some 300 rehabilitated former combatants (both male and female) were released by the authorities after rehabilitation. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Give us a rise

A group of under-paid graduates in the public service today staged a protest in front of the Public Administration Ministry demanding a salary that commensurate with their academic qualifications and also calling for the annulment of the existing service minute. Pix by Waruna Wanniaarachchi

The victory

Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene celebrates their win as England's Monty Panesar looks on after their first test cricket match in Galle March 29, 2012. REUTERS

Ex-combatants released

A ceremony was held at the Taj Samudra hotel, Colombo today for around hundred former combatants who had received training in vocational skills before being released. The ex-LTTE cadres who had completed their term of rehabilitation will reintegrate to society. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest by Employed Graduates

A protest was held by employed graduates in front of the Ministry of Public Administration in Colombo today urging authorities to abolish the Programme service officers minute. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Advanced technology for higher studies

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel signed a strategic agreement with the General Sir John Kotalawela Defence University to facilitate online learning of the university’s professional studies through the mLearning platform. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Top student of O/L 2011

The results of the 2011 GCE O/L exams were released this week. Pictures show Udeshika Hettiarachchi of Visakha Vidyalaya, who topped the results for the exam being warmly welcomed by her mother. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

The top 10

The names of  top 10 students who have dazzled at the GCE O Level last year being exhibited at a media conference at Ministry of Education. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

A kiss from Mervyn

Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva seen kissing the elephant at the Kelani Vihara after observing religious observances to mark his birthday today. Pix by Samantha Perera

“Ananda Abiman”

An exhibition of Education, Trade and Culture titled “Ananda Abiman” celebrating 125 years of Ananda College was opened today within the school premises. Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Electricity Champika ranawaka , the High commissioner of India Ashk.K. Kanth and a host of other dignitaries were present at the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

The accused has a right too..

The lawyers of the Gangodawila Magistrate courts held a protest today against the assault of the lawyer who appeared for the Suspects in the murder of the monks. The lawyers said that all suspects have a constitutional right to be defended by a lawyer. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Postmortem-Geneva

A press conference was held at the Ministry of External Affairs today by the External Affairs Minister GL Peiris to brief the media about the recent visit to Geneva. Leader of the Delegation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe also participated at the briefing. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Today for tomorrow

A ceremony was held today at the Ananda College Colombo to inaugurate a schools pledge from students. The students pledged that they would switch off a light between 6.30 and 9.30 PM. The ceremony was held under the ‘Heta Wenuwen Ada” campaign. (Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana)