Controlled explosion

An improvised explosive device was detected inside a vehicle near the St. Anthony’s Church, Jampettah Road, Kochchikade, and was disposed in controlled explosion at site by the Bomb Disposal Unit today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

PM at St. Anthony’s Church

Several politicians including Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaska were seen witnessing the tragedy occurred at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, Kotahena

Easter Sunday terror

Easter Sunday terror

Hundreds of people were injured while many others killed in six bomb explosions in at least three churches across the country and several hotels in Colombo today.

Seeking blessings on ’Bak’ Poya Day

Devotees are seen engaged in religious observances at Gangaramaya Temple today to mark the ’Bak’ Full Moon Poya Day. The significance of Bak Poya was historical since it marks Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Namal meets Bangladeshi PM

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka today. Mr. Rajapaksa said he was humbled by Prime Minister Hasina’s wealth of knowledge on regional politics and that he is particularly encouraged by her commitment toward poverty alleviation in Bangladesh. ‘No doubt it’ll benefit the entire region,” he said.

Two US ships in SL

Two US Naval ships arrived at the Hambantota port today to participate in the annual naval exercise ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise (CARAT)-2019’. Pic courtesy: SL Navy

RAAVANA-1 successfully launched to ISS

The RAAVANA-1 cube satellite designed and developed by two Sri Lankan engineers named Tharindu Dayaratne and Dulani Chamika, was successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) today and would reach the ISS tomorrow at 6.30 pm.

Stone used to clean robe worn by Lord Buddha on display

The stone said to have been used to purify the robe worn by the Lord Buddha was declared open for public veneration at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya today under the auspices of Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya and Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Temple Ven. Kollupitiya Sanga Rakkitha Thera

Notre Dame-before and after

Combination of pictures showing 850-year-old UNESCO world heritage landmark before and after a colossal fire ripped through its structure. (Daily Mail)

Potato festival…

The potato festival, organized by the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya for the second time, was inaugurated today by Sports Minister Harin Fernando and former cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. The festival aims at promoting potato cultivation of farmers in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla.

Notre Dame...

Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames on Monday in a roaring blaze that devastated the Parisian landmark, one of France’s most visited places. Pics courtesy ; News Agencies

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

Pettah deserted

Several roads in Pettah were seen deserted as people have returned to their homes outside of Colombo for Avurudu celebrations.

Returning home for Avurudu

Long queues could be seen for highway buses at Fort Bus Terminal where people were seen leaving for villages to see their kith and kin. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Avurudu shopping spirit

As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is getting closer, people are busy buying new year goods including clay pots, new year sweets and fire crackers across the country. Seen here are New Year stalls in Kirulapone where people gathered to purchase New Year goods

Gota back in SL

Former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was in the USA on a private visit, arrived in Sri Lanka this morning. He was welcomed by the MPs of the opposition and a large crowd gathered outside the airport.

New ambulances to hospitals across the country

A ceremony to distribute 118 ambulances to hospitals across the country was held at the Colombo Municipality Ground under the aegis of Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Final rites of H.M Jayawardena

The final rites of Veteran musician H.M Jayawardena was held today at the Borella General Cemetery with the participation of Mr. Jayawardena’s family members and loved ones.

Presidential Media Awards-2018

The inaugural Presidential media awards-2018 was held at BMICH this evening where Kamanthi Wickremasinghe of Daily Mirror won the best Investigative Reporter of the year award.

Special commuter!

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen travelling on a train at the newly opened Matara-Beliatta railway line. He was accompanied by opposition MPs including Mahinda Amaraweera and Dallas Alahapperuma. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Horrors of Korean conflict

The horrors of the Korean War have been brought back to life and laid bare in a series of digitally colourised pictures. The vivid colour images show many different sides of the war between North and South Korea, which started in 1950 and ended with an armistice in 1953. One striking photo shows a Korean girl with her baby brother on her back tiredly trudging past a stalled M-26 tank, at Haengju Fortress in Goyang, South Korea. (Daily Mail)

Railway employees’ Protest

A group of railway employees on contract basis carried out a protest march towards the Presidential Secretariat today urging the authorities to absorb them to the permanent staff. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Army celebrates New Year

The National New Year celebration of Sri Lanka Army was held at the Panagoda Army Cantonment grounds today under the aegis of Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake and Army Chief of Staff Major General Shavendra Silva. The New Year festival included a number of traditional games. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Former DIG back to prison

Former DIG Nalaka De Silva is being taken back to prison after he was produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court where he was further remanded until April 23 in connection with the assassination plot.

Papers served on Gota

A photograph showing papers being served to former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection with two federal lawsuits that have been filed in California is circulating on social media.

Sixth Indo-Sri Lanka Defence Dialog held in Colombo

The Indian defence delegation led by Indian Defence Secretary Mr. Sanjay Mitra, participated at the sixth Indo-Sri Lanka Defence Dialogue at the invitation of the Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando in Colombo yesterday.

Five Chinese couples enter wedlock

Five Chinese couples tied the knot today in Beliatta according to Sri Lankan customs and rituals. This occasion coincided with the inauguration of the train service from Matara to Beliatta. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Matara -Beliatta train makes maiden journey

The newly constructed Matara -Beliatta railway extension vested with the public this morning. A passenger train from Matara reached the Beliatta railway station, marking its maiden journey. UNP ministers Arjuna Ranathunga, Mangala Samaraweera and SLFP MPs Nimal Siripala de Silva and Chamal Rajapaksa also attended the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

An indigenous welcome

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is being given ‘an indigenous’ welcome by Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannilaththo at the Aluth Sahala Mangallaya held at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura yesterday, while President Maithripala Sirisena looks on.