Top officials of the Sri Lanka Army participated in religious ceremonies held at the Ponnambalam Rameshwaram Hindu temple in Kochchikade this evening to invoke blessing to the army flags and the respective regiments. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Leader of the Opposition of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando and the members of the UNP group were sworn this morning by Governor of the Province C. Nanda Mathew at the Governor’s Secretariat. Secretary to the Governor H.M.Somatillek

Colombo Fort and many other railway stations were seen deserted due to the ongoing island wide strike launched by the Professional Railway Trade Union Alliance (PRTUA). The Railway services countrywide came to a standstill from midnight yesterday.

Most of the waterfalls and the reservoirs in the hill country have come alive after the heavy rains experienced in the area during the past few days. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Two monks are seen taking pictures of the Gangaramaya Temple today, where many religious activities were held to mark Vap Full Moon Poya Day. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Sri Lanka Army conducted religious ceremonies today to commemorate its 65th anniversary. A mass was held at the All Saints Church in Borella, conducted by Rev. Maxwell Silva. Seen here is Rev. Silva conducting the mass. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana 

Harin Fernando, who topped the list of provincial votes in Uva is seen receiving his letter of appointment as the Opposition leader of the Provincial Council. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

The 3rd death anniversary of Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was held at his statue in Kolonnawa today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Muslims gathered around the country to celebrate the Hajj festival. Seen here are Muslims gathered at Galle Face green to celebrate the Hajj this morning.  Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met the Sri Lankan community in Milan, Italy during his visit to Vatican and Italy. Picture courtesy President Media

A 12-foot crocodile was captured by the villagers at Maharagama, Mudungoda in Gampaha this morning. The crocodile was later handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Department. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met His Holiness Pope Francis 1 at the Vatican Apostolic Palace to present the official invitation to visit Sri Lanka in January. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa accompanied the president.  

A group of journalists today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station over the assault on a journalist in Hali Ela during the Uva Provincial Council election. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Free Media Movement (FMM) today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station over the assault on a journalist in Hali Ela during the Uva Provincial Council election. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Army Commander Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake participated at a religious ceremony at the Jayasiri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura to mark Sri Lanka Army’s 65th Anniversary today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Five wild elephants including three baby elephants which fell into an abandoned agricultural well in Kekirawa this morning were saved and released into a forest reserve by the wildlife conservation officers and the police with the help of the villa

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka, Assistant President Ravi Karunanayake and MP Joseph Michael Perera today met the Commissioner of Elections and urged him to make provisions for the upcoming Presiden

An art competition was held at the Viharamaha Devi Park this morning in view of the World Children’s Day organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Department of Buddhist Affairs. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

UPFA Chief Ministerial candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa is seen taking oaths as the Uva Provincial Council Chief Minister before President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  (Pix by Presidential Media)

The Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee today staged a protest in front of the Hultsdorf Court Complex against the alleged privatisation of education. They urged the authorities that education is not for sale. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshan

The National Trade Union Centre today staged a protest in front of the Government Press in Borella against the Government Printer Lalith de Silva. They charged that the Printer had used his henchmen to assault employees of the Press and urged the pol

The Maha Sanga Samuluwa of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) was held today at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo with a large number of Buddhist monks attending.  Secretary General of the BBS is seen here conducting Ven. Ashin Wirathu of Myanmar

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for talks in New York City. Pix by President’s media

A blood donation campaign and a health camp organized by the Wijeyaba welfare society was held today at Kalapaluwawa Sri Siddhartha Vidyalaya. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The 55th death anniversary of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was held at the Bandaranaike Samadhi in Horagolla this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are seen arriving at the venue of bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York yesterday. Pix by Presidential Media

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa attended a reception hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama  this evening in New York City.

Train service on the Northern line came to a standstill this evening when the Colombo bound Yal Devi express train derailed between Randenigama and Maho Railaway Stations causing extensive damage to the railway line. Pix by Sanjeewani Ariyaratne

Members of the Inter Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) today held a protest outside the National Transport Commission over several concerns including frauds in issuing route permits for buses operating on the Southern Expressway. Pix by Kush

Several workers of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) claimed to be politically victimized in 1977 and 1980 staged a protest near the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo this morning urging the President to look into their grievances. Pix by Pradeep Pa