PM distributes compensation to farmers

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a ceremony held to distribute compensation to farmers in Kurunegala District whose crops were destroyed in the recent droughts. Some 6,000 farmers received compensation. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Irrigation, P. Harrison, Minister of Education and UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariawasam and Stater Minister Ashok Abeysinshe also participated in the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathir

Dogs on show

The 122nd All Breed Championship Dog Show organised by the Ceylon Kennel Club was held today at the BMICH. Pooches of various breeds including German Shepherd, Bullmastiff, Doberman, Rottweiler and Siberian Husky participated at this event. This year’s judge was Jim Richardson from Scotland. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Rubexpo 2019 at BMICH

An exhibition of rubber ‘Rubexpo 2019’ and manufacturing was launched at the BMICH in Colombo yesterday under the patronage of Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The exhibition will be held until August 11.

Stop suppression!

A group of students of the Kelaniya University staged a protest outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) yesterday over several demands including urging the authorities not to fix CCTV cameras at the university premises.

President visits Angkor Wat

President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a state visit to Cambodia paid a visit to the historic and highly venerated Angkor Wat Temple located at the Thailand – Cambodia Border today. The Buddhist temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage site spread on a 170 hectares. The President was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Chaufea Veang Som Ol. He also toured Bayon Temple at Angkor Wat city. Pix courtesy: President’s Media

ASEAN day 2019

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Day 2019, was celebrated at the Indonesian Embassy yesterday with the participation of representatives of the countries belonging to the ASEAN and other distinguished guests. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Yes, I was released...

Former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and two others were acquitted and released by the Special Trial-at-Bar High Court over the Litro Gas case today.

Engrossed in conversation

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen in a conversation with former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge during the event held at the BMICH to express gratitude to the Maha Sanga of the Tri-sects for awarding Speaker Karu Jayasuriya with an honorary title.

Tear gassed...

Police used water cannons and fired teargas to disperse the protesting Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA) students at the Lotus Road in Colombo

CPC celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) celebrated its 50th Anniversary today. In line with the anniversary, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled a statute of statesman Dudley Senanayake at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ranil at PSC

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe commenced giving evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing on the Easter Sunday Attacks. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

First Kumbal Perahera parades streets

The first Kumbal Perahera of the historic Esala Maha Perehera paraded the streets this evening. The procession set off from the Sri Dalada Maligawa at the auspicious time of 7.10 pm. Pix by L.B. Senarathe

In search of water

This large herd of elephants that had come out of the jungle in search of food and water were spotted at the Udawalawa Tank on Sunday. They have come out of the forests during the day time as food and water had become scarce as a result of the drought. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

IUSF protests against privatising free education

The Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) staged a protest in Colombo today against alleged moves to privatise free education. The protesting students were tear-gassed when they attempted to enter towards the Presidential Secretariat afterwards. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Second Shot...

State Minister of Highways and Road Development, Ranjan Ramanayake, sat for the Advanced Level Examination which began today. The State Minister was seen outside his examination centre at the Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Kotte this morning.

It’s over

Students of Asoka Vidyalaya Colombo 10 were seen rushing out of the examination hall to their parents with smiles, after completing their year-5 scholarship examination

Colourful kites

Kids are seen flying kites at several places in Colombo as August is the kite flying season.

PM’s passion for fruits

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe inspected the passion fruit plantations in Pelawatte and plucked some fruits during his visit. Ministers Vajira Abeywardene, Ranjith Maduuma Bandara and Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Renovating the A’pura Meda Oyamaduwa

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen launching the renovation work of the Meda Oyamaduwa in Anuradhapura yesterday in the presence of Lands and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gayantha Karunatilleke and Agriculture, Fisheries Livestock Rural Economy Minister P. Harrison.

‘Toy pistol’ Mayor sentenced

Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando was sentenced to five-year imprisonment by the Hambantota High Court today.

Test ride goes wrong...

Viral video footage circulating over social media shows cricketer Kusal Mendis who was taking a test ride on the brand new motorcycle won by fellow cricketer Angelo Mathews as the award for the man of the series, stumbles and falls on the ground with another teammate on the pillion.

LECO in protest

A group of employees of the Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited staged a protest outside the company today over several demands.

Smiles and frowns

Former Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa were seen sharing a lighter moment while President Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Kumaratunga were seen not talking with each other at the National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Coexistence organised by the Western Province Governor’s Office at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Colombo 7.

Sri Lanka whitewash Bangladesh

Sri Lanka cricketers celebrate after victory over Bangladesh by 122 runs in the third one day international (ODI) cricket match of a three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

’Mahajana Sabhawa’ website launched

Founder of Sarvodaya Movement A.T. Ariyaratne is seen launching the website of Mahajana Sabhawa at a forum titled ‘Vision for the Country.’ The event was organised yesterday by the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. Most Venerable Mahanayake of Kalyani Samasri Dharma Maha Sabha and Sri Jayewardenepura University Chancellor Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and founder of Maha Jana Sabha Venerable Ulapane Su

Health service employees stage protest

The Health Service Trade Union Collective today staged a protest outside the Health Ministry over twelve demands which had not been fulfilled by the Ministry. The protest march started from the Colombo National Hospital. Pix by Samantha Perera

PM distributes appointment letters

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe distributed appointment letters to graduates in the State sector at the Temple Trees today. Several UNP MPs also participated in the event.

Unemployed graduates tear-gassed

Police used tear-gas and water cannon to disperse the protesting unemployed graduates near the Lotus Roundabout today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets with Angelo Mathews firing a boundary to bring up his half century. Sri Lanka take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

PM at Embilipitiya

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a ceremony held in Embilipitiya to distribute lands to the people in the area. Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Affairs Gayantha Karunatilleke, Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Talatha Athukorala UNP MPs A. A. Wijetunga and Hesha Vithanage were also present. Pix by Prdeep Pathirana