Launch of Palmyrah Development Fund

The ’Palmyrah Fund’ which is to provide funding for the development of the North and the East, was launched at Temple Trees this morning under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, TNA MP R Sampanthan and Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera. State Minister Vijekala Maheshwaran and TNA MPs Dharmalingam Siddharthan and Selvam Adaikalanathan were also present at the event.

Novice monk examines the alms bowl

A novice monk examines the alms bowl or Pathra donated to him at a religious ceremony at Gangarama Temple in Colombo while another looks on. Around 150 alms bowls which are resistant to corrosion were distributed among the novice monks. These alms blows had been brought from Thailand.

“Warak wati dewarak nagi siti sinhayan api”

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the auspices of Sports Minister Harin Fernando, launched “Warak wati dewarak nagi siti sinhayan api”, a song to rally the country behind the team with the essence of “One Team One Nation” as they prepare to participate in the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and Wales.

Cardinal Filoni calls on PM

The representative of the Pope, Fernando Cardinal Filoni called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Tree yesterday. Cardinal Filoni arrived in Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday attacks on churches last month. Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith accompanied Cardinal Filoni.

Ven. Gnanasara meets Chief Prelate of Kotte

Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera visited the Chief Prelate of Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of Siyam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Dr Ittapana Dhammalankara Thera this evening after he was released under presidential pardon from the Welikada Prison. In the picture he is seen thanking the Kotte Chief Prelate for the measures taken to release him. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Disappointed…

A large number of people were seen gathered outside the main gate of the Welikada Prison to have a glimpse of the released Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera. However, the authorities had decided to reroute the prelate from the prison due to the prevailing security reasons in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Unemployed graduates protest at Fort

The Association of Unemployed Graduates Collective today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station urging authorities to expedite the recruitment of development officers. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

War Heroes Commemorated

Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka was the chief guest at an event held at the Panagoda Army camp on Tuesday, May 21 to commemorate war heroes.

NSC wants Rishad, Hizbullah, Salley resigned

The National Sangha Council (NSC), staged a protest march today from Independent Square to the Presidential Secretariat demanding the removal of Industries and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen, Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, and Western Province Governor, Azath Salley from their posts. A petition had been handed over to the President in this regard. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cardinal Filoni at St. Anthony's Church

His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation of Evangelisation of People, today laid the foundation stone to a proposed building at the St Anthony’s Shrine, one of the main terrorist targets of the Easter Sunday attacks. The building is to house a soup kitchen, where more than 200 needy people are provided free food, as well as a museum and dining area of the church.

Teaching diploma award ceremony

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was the chief guest at the teaching diploma award ceremony of the National Education Institute at Temple Trees today. The PM has said the government would abolish the religious and ethnic-based school systems in the country. Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, State Minister of Education Vijayakala Maheswaran and NIE Director-General J. Gunasekara was also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Released…

Former DIG Nalaka de Silva was seen removing his cervical collar after being released on bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Buddhist Information Centre vested with the Sasana

A Buddhist Information Centre built in Kimbulawala, Kotte for the Tri-Nikaya was handed over to Sasana by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today at an event presided over by Most Venerable Ittepana Dhammalankara Nayake Thera. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak in Colombo

People are celebrating Vesak festival following the Easter Sunday terror with additional security arrangements. Seen here the streets in Colombo including Gangaramaya were decorated for Vesak. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bodhi Pooja at Temple Trees

A Bodhi Pooja was held at Temple Trees on Sunday to invoke blessings on the security forces to mark the 10th anniversary of the end of war and also to commemorate those who died in bomb attacks on Easter Sunday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe and invitees are seen participating in religious observances held to invoke blessings. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Ranaviru Uththama Pranama

The 10th state memorial service of war heroes under the theme ‘Uttama Pranama Pranama’ was held today in front of the National War Memorial near the Parliament complex, Sri Jayawardenepura, remembering deceased, disappeared and disabled war heroes to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Vesak Poya Day

Devotees are seen taking part in religious observances at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in light of the Vesak Poya Day which falls today.

Vesak preparations at Gangaramaya

Buddhists the world over celebrate Vesak Poya today. It marks the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Buddha. The Beira Lake is seen being decorated for the Vesak Poya by navy personnel.

Protest against ISIS

A group of people staged a protest in Puttalam against ISIS terrorists today.

Against Bathiudeen and Hizbullah

The ’Ravana Balaya Organisation’ yesterday lodged a complaint against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Eastern Province Governor M. L.A.M. Hizbullah to the Police Headquarters.

All set to commemorate ‘Decade of Peace’

A media briefing headed by Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayaka to inform about the arrangements made to pay tribute to the memory of fallen war heroes in the series of ‘Dasawarshabhishekaya’ (Decade of Peace) ceremonies, was held at the Sri Lanka Electrical Mechanical and Engineering (SLEME) Regimental Headquarters in Colombo today.

Satyagraha against extremism, violence

A ’Satyagraha’ organised by an organisation called ‘Api Minissu’ (We are humans) was held in front of the Viharamahadevi Park today demanding the government to establish unity among communities and to put an end to extremism and violence in the country. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Ready to celebrate Vesak

Sri Lankans are preparing to celebrate Vesak which falls over the weekend. Despite the security concerns, people are seen purchasing Vesak decorations from stalls set up at roadsides in Colombo. This year Vesak festival in Sri Lanka is being celebrated on a low-key with additional security provided following the recent suicide bomb attacks at churches and hotels on Easter Sunday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ruwan calls on Mahanyake Theras

Acting Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardene and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called on the Asgiriya and Malwathu chapter Mahanayayake Theras on yesterday. They were accompanied by State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne. Pix by Chamil Rupasinghe

CMC recruits over 100 new employees

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake handed over appointment letters to 111 Management Assistant (Non-Technical) Service Supervisors in the work, field, health, market and veterinary sectors at an event held at the Municipal Council today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A network of extremism expands

A Reuters investigation has pieced together a network of characters directly involved in the attacks or targeted in the police raids that followed, who largely managed to stay under the radar as they plotted the deadliest attack in Sri Lanka since the end of a civil war 10 years ago.

Colombo deserted

Colombo City was seen deserted yesterday with only a handful of people at Fort Railway Station and in Main Street of Pettah. However, Vesak decorations were also seen despite the prevailing situation in the country.

Proposals to counter terrorism and extremism

The SLFP parliamentary group has presented a set of proposals to quell the new form of terrorism and extremism and to promote interfaith and inter-ethnic harmony. The proposals include the close monitoring of social media and prescribing of face veils like the burqa and full-face helmets. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

PM visits strife torn areas in NWP

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the areas in Kuliyapitiya that have been marred by violence. He visited the Hettipola Mosque, Kuliyapitiya and Panduwanuwara. Ministers Kabir Hashim, Rauff Hakeem, Akila Viraj Kariyawasma, State Ministers J. C Alawathuwala and Faizal Cassim accompanied the Prime Minister. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Aftermath of unrest

Police curfew was imposed in the North Western Province after incidents of violence were reported in several areas. Roads of Giriulla, Narammala, Kuliyapitiya and Hettipola were seen abandoned during the curfew. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja