Hirunika Premachandra receives her letter of appointment as Co-Organiser of the SLFP from President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony held at the Temple Trees this morning. Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Kumara Welgama and a host of others participated at the

A relic from the arm of St Sebastian, a saint who is deeply revered by Sri Lankan Roman Catholics was brought to Sri Lanka today. The relic will be enshrined at St. Sebastian's Shrine, Kandana. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

The 124th birth anniversary of Al-Haj Dr.T.B Jayah, organised by the Conference of Sri Lankan Malays, (COSLAM) was held with High Commissioner of Malaysia Azmi Zainuddin as the chief guest at the New Town Hall, Colombo 7 today. Pix by Pradeep Dilruks

A car allegedly driven by a person under the influence of liquor crashed into a concrete bus stop in Kalapaluwawa, Rajagiriya last night injuring two and completely destroying the bus stop. Pix by waruna Wanniarachchi

A crocodile was found in the swimming pool of a tourist hotel at Ahangama in Kathaluwa yesterday. The hotel belongs to UNP Western Provincial Councillor Maithri Gunaratne. The crocodile was later reported to have got out of the pool and dashed into t

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa who are on a tour to Israel, visited religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem today. The historic Old City is home to a number of sites sacred for the Christian, Isla

World Tennis Number 1 Serena Williams of the US and Muthiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka talk after playing cricket on the rooftop of a city hotel during a media event for the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 9, 2014. AF

The Federation of National Organisations (FNO) today staged a protest walk from Colpetty junction to the US Embassy over the arrival of Stephen J. Rapp, the US Ambassador-at-Large on a fact finding mission in Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

A ceremony to commemorate the 115th birth anniversary of Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was held today by his statue on Galle face. Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and several other politicians participat

The Bhikkhus of Sinhala Ravaya today held a protest in front of Prime Minister’s Office demanding that Premier D. M. Jayaratne apologies to the Maha Sangha for making derogatory remarks on them. The protest ended as the Prime Minister tendere

Parents of students deprived of the chance to enter popular schools despite their high performances at the 2013 Grade five scholarship examination staged a protest before the Education Ministry today urging the authorities to undo the alleged injus

Family members of the slain Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickerematunge participate in a candle-light memorial in front of a portrait of him at his grave in Colombo today, held to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President Mahinda Rajapaksa introduces the Sri Lankan delegation to Palestinian President Dr. Mahmoud Abbas. Pix by Presidents’ Media

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen looking at a news paper article shown by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera at a discussion on casinos held at the Kalutara Dharmawijeya Piriwena today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

National Child Protection Authority yesterday organised an informative walk from Independence Square to Nawa Rangahala at the Royal College premises. Students from several schools in Colombo participated in the walk. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Ten acres of Marijuana plantation was detected during a special raid carried out last night at Lunugamwehera yesterday. The cultivation was destroyed by wildlife officials who conducted the raid. Pix Rukman Ratnayake

Opposition Leader and UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for Arab Spring in Sri Lanka this year to overthrow the government. Speaking during the UNP Bala Mandala meeting in Katubedda, Mr. Wickremesinghe called for a joint eff

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today confiscated a stock of 100,000 kgs of expired sugar valued at Rs 1 billion during a raid carried out at a warehouse in Modera today, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Affairs said.

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seen engaging in religious observances under the auspices of Ven. Dauldena Gnanissara Thera in the newly built Dharmashala at the Colombo National Hospital “Pathum Bodhiya’ today. Pix by Kithsiri

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa met the 33 Bogambara Prison inmates who were on a hunger strike. Pix by J.A.L. Jayasinghe

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and King Abdulla of Jordan held discussions on a number of topics relevant to both countries, including cooperation in defense-related activities and progress of the Joint Committee at the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman

Picture shows work in progress at the Sri Pada Temple premises where the Dolosmahe Pahana is being replaced. Pix by Gamini Bandara

A major fire broke out at a warehouse in Koswatta, Battaramulla near the Laugfs filling station today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Monks of the Bodu Bala Sena Organisation met Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence ‘Visumpaya’ in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A Leopard that remained entangled in a trap for three days died in Balangoda from dehydration and starvation. The attempt by the veterinary surgeons to save the animal proved futile. The leopard was captured on film snarling at onlookers. Pix by Prin

An Air force helicopter is seen airlifting the new 'Dolosmahe Pahana' to the Sri Pada Temple premises. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa pumps the new variety of petrol to a motor car at the Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha CEYPETCO filling station today to mark the arrival of Octane 92 in the local fuel market.  Pix by Kith

The New Year’s Eve party at the Colombo Hilton resulted in many of the revelers having to be admitted to hospital when the platform they were standing on had collapsed.

Devotees are seen here at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo invoking blessings for the New Year. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana & Nisal Baduge

WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR