Elephant Santa

An elephant dressed as Santa Claus distributes a stuffed toy to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, 70 km (44 miles) north of Bangkok, December 23, 2011. REUTERS

Syracuse Vs. Tulane

Tulane Green Wave guard Kendall Timmons drives to the basket against Syracuse Orange forward Kris Joseph during the first half of their NCAA men's basketball game in Syracuse, New York, December 22, 2011. REUTERS

CAA raided tons of half rotten food

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today raided a warehouse at Bloemendhal Road and took into custody 56 tons of potatoes, 50 tons of dhal and seven tons of sprats, which were not fit for human consumption. CAA officials said those who operated the warehouse were involved in cleaning and re-sorting the half rotten food and reissuing them for sale in Pettah. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Against the “cancer stick”

An exhibition and a seminar jointly organised by the Nation Cancer Institute, Cancer Care Association and Jeewaka Foundation was held today at the National Cancer Hospital premises in Maharagama. The main theme of the event was “The importance of introducing effective health warning labels on tobacco packaging to communicate the risk of tobacco use.” Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

“Mahaweli Aruna”

The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management today conducted a fair --“Mahaweli Aruna” at Hyde Park Grounds, Colombo Cabinet Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Nimal Siripala de Silva participated at the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Protest over disappearance

Several political parties and civil society groups led by the Movement for People’s Struggle (MPS) today staged a protest marched from Campbell Park in Borella to Town Hall over the disappearance of two of its activists - Kumar Weeraraj and Kuhan Muruganathan. Pic by Pradeep Patirana

Increase our salaries

The All Island Teachers Assistance Union staged a protest today in front of the Education Ministry, Isurupaya urging authorities to increase their salaries and to consider giving them an allowance to be added to their salaries or to give them the minimum salary given to a teacher. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Anti-N'Korea Leaflets

North Korean defectors who live in South Korea prepare to fly balloons carrying anti-North Korea leaflets at the Imjinkak pavilion, near the demilitarized zone which separates the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 21, 2011. The defector groups who released 200,000 anti-North Korea leaflets, celebrated the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and protested against condolences to the dictator's death on W

Choosing the perfect Christmas Tree

The Christmas Season brings Christmas Tree vendors to Colombo where they sell their trees opposite Town Hall. The picture shows a potential customer picking out a tree to take home for the holidays. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Post reform' mortem'

The UNP reformist group led by Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa together with a host of other parliamentarians are seen here at the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court. Suspects including three provincial councillors were produced before the courts today and were ordered to be held in remand until January 2, 2012. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

The stone that was thrown

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen here giving the media a huge stone that was thrown to the party headquarters, at the conclusion of yesterdays election of the parties office bearers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Smelling of euros and dollars

An officer from the AFIP tax agency and his sniffer dog checks a car at the Buenos Aires Buquebus terminal December 19, 2011. Specially trained sniffer dogs to identify the smell of euros and dollars have been deployed at several border-crossing customs control around the country in order to search out foreign currency hidden in luggage. REUTERS

Calling for calm

UNP stalwart Karu Jayasuriya along with other members of the party are seen calling for calm after the violence outside Sirikotha today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Moved into position

The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is moved into position on its launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome December 19, 2011. International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Donald Pettit, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers, are due to travel on the spacecraft to the space station on Wednesday. REUTERS

Karu signs nomination papers

The UNP Deputy Leader who is contesting for the party leadership signs the nomination papers while former Assistant Leader of the Party Rukman Senanayake, MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Rosy Senanayake, Asoka Abeysinghe and former MP Imtiyaz Bakeer Markar look on. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

'Kandula VII'

'Kandula VII', the Regimental mascot of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment (SLLI) which traces its lineage of descent from the times of King Dutu Gemunu, immortalised its service span of 50 years in a three-day exhibition at the Art Gallery. Here Defence Secretary Gotabya Rajapaksa pays tribute to Kandula while Chief of Staff Defence Major General Daya Ratnayake looks on. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

JHU District Summit

The Colombo District Summit of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) was held at the New Town Hall auditorium today under the patronage of its leaders. A large number of party supporters and party representatives in the district participated at the summit. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Protesting decision

Politicians and supporters were seen today at the Appeal Court premises. A unanimous decision by a three Judge Appeal court bench dismissed Sarath Fonseka’s appeal against the second court martial judgment of a 30 month jail term. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Longest new year card

The prisoners of the Welikada Prison are preparing a very long New Year Card for 2012 is order to achieve a Guinness World Record. The card is 195 feet long and five feet wide. It will be handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 1. Pix by Kithsri De Mel

Protest against SF release

Members of the Federation of Self Employees today staged a protest in front of the Colombo High Court premises urging the government not to release former army commander Sarath Fonseka. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Roads closed for Night Races

The roads in Colombo area will be closed to make way for the Colombo Night Races which will to be held tonight. The roads will be closed from 7.00pm to 6.00am today (16th) and again from 6.00pm Saturday (17th) to 6.00am on Sunday (18th). Public and private sector employees are advised to take alternative roads and take their vehicles or buses after finishing work at 4.30pm, the police said. Graphic by DM Graphics Desk

Colombo Night Races

Moments captured at the Colombo NIght Races. Pix by Samantha Perera

“Nelum Pokuna”

“Nelum Pokuna” the Lotus Pond or the Mahinda Rajapaksa National Performing Arts Theatre was declared open this evening by President Rajapaksa. Vice President of Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang participated in the inauguration ceremony as the special chief guest. Pix by Nisal Baduge

56th anniversary celebration

The 56th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps was marked today under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Families of fallen War Heroes and other warriors who brought fame to the Regiment in various fields were also present at the event. SLAC is one of the pioneering Regiments of the Sri Lanka Army. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

56th anniversary celebration

The 56th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps was marked today under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Families of fallen War Heroes and other warriors who brought fame to the Regiment in various fields were also present at the event. SLAC is one of the pioneering Regiments of the Sri Lanka Army. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

INSU protest

The Inter Nursing Students Union (INSU) today held a protest in front the Colombo National Hospital condemning a recent statement made by the President of the Inter Nursing Union. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

JVP protest to protect people’s rights

The Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) today staged a walking protest from Campbell Park to the Fort Railway station demanding that people’s rights such as free education, unbiased judiciary, ect. be protected. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Job fair for the differently abled

A job fair was held today at the Ceylon Continental hotel in view of World Disability Day which falls on December 3. The event was organised in collaboration with the Social Services Ministry, the Employers Federation of Ceylon and the International Labour Organisation. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Protests continue on day two

The protest which was continuing for the second day against the government regulation to make plastic crates compulsory when transporting vegetables and fruits was staged today at the Fort Railway station causing heavy traffic in the area. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

MPs first meeting

The JVP dissidents who are called the Movement for People’s Struggle (MPS) yesterday held their first meeting at Hyde Park Colombo called on the public to fight for higher wages and to protest against the rising cost of living which was an increasing struggle for the people. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana