Top Chinese General meets Army Chief

A high-level delegation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People’s Republic of China, led by the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA, General Ma Xiaotian, called on Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya today, at the Army Headquarters to discuss professional training, exercises and the further promotion of military assistance to Sri Lanka on request. Pix by Samantha Perera

Stop abductions in North

The Movement for People’s Struggle staged a protest today at Lipton Circle urging authorities to take steps to find two missing youth who are representatives of the JVP dissident group in Jaffna. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Seeking solutions for CESU employees

The Ceylon Estates Staffs’ Union (CESU) today staged a walk From Kolpitty to the presidential residence to hand over a letter to seek solutions to the problems faced by the employees of the estate sector. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

Protest against plastic crates

A protest took place this morning opposite the Fort Railway Station against the new law of transporting vegetables and fruits in plastic crates

Petition to free Fonseka

A petition has been prepared  and will be handed over to the United Nations (UN) demanding the release of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. The petition has been organised by the United National Party (UNP). Seen here are members of the public signing their signature on the petition at the Fort Railway Station today. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

IUSF protest

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) staged a protest today in front of the Fort Railway Station urging authorities to take steps to find two missing JVP students in Jaffna. The protesters charged that they are being held by the military. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

US ambassador at CMC

US ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia A. Butenis visited the newly elected Colombo Municipal Council and held talks with Mayor A.J.M.Muzammil today.  Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Protect our Human Rights

A protest was held in front of the Fort Railway Station today urging authorities to take more steps to find people who have disappeared during and after the war. The protest was held to mark the International Human Rights Day which was on December 10. It was organised by the Right of Dialogue Civil Organisation of Sri Lanka. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Some get away, some don’t!

Pictures show lorries which were taken into custody by officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) this morning in Hanwella and Peliyagoda for transporting vegetables and fruits without the use of plastic containers, parked at the Nawaloka Ground. A lorry that was not taken into custody by the CAA is seen unloading vegetables at the Colombo market. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

MP’s doing their thing on the cricket pitch

The Speaker’s Cup took place today at the Sports Ministry Grounds this afternoon. The teams were led by MP’s Sanath Jayasuriya and Susil Premajayantha. Jayasuriya’s team beat Premajayantha’s with a winning score of 176/9. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Conduct proper investigation

Convener of the Movement for People’s Struggle Chamira Koswatte (centre) flanked by MP Ajith Kumara and Properganda Secretery Waruna Deepthi Rajapaksa addressing the media conference where they requested the government to conduct a proper investigation in order to determine the whereabouts of its members who have been abducted in the North. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Rare lunar eclipse

A rare lunar eclipse giving a reddish tint to the moon was visible in certain parts of Sri Lanka yesterday. Seen here is how the eclipse was seen to people living in the Gampaha District. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Former LTTE cadres follow today’s parliamentary proceedings

Over one hundred rehabilitated former LTTE cadres were present in Parliament today to watch today’s parliamentary proceedings as today’s budget debate focused on the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry which directly oversees the rehabilitation process of former LTTE cadres. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

NFF against NATO drone attacks

A protest organized by the National Freedom Front (NFF) condemning the drone attacks by NATO on the army strategies in the Pakistan border was held today at the Lipton Circus. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Golden Jubilee

The Golden Jubilee of the ordination of his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Kingsley Swampillai took place today on his 75th birthday and the 25th year of his becoming Bishop. A Thanksgiving Service was conducted by the Clergy today at St. Joseph's Chapel of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Batticaloa. Text and pix by Sivam Packiyanathan from Batticaloa

Colombo Night Race

Final preparations for the Colombo Night Races, which is to be held next week, were being made last evening. Seen here is the stretch of the track being prepared for the event. Pic by Kushan Patiraja

On a good wicket

Government and opposition parliamentarian are practicing for Sunday’s Speaker’s Club Cricket Tournament. Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella seen practicing at the Torinton grounds yesterday. Pix by Santha Rathnayake

Chamal meets Ken Coghill

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today met Associate Professor Ken Coghill, the former speaker of parliament in Victoria, Australia to conduct research in capacity building needs and programmes for members of parliament in countries across the world. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

IUSF protest

The Inter University Students’ Federation today started a protest walk from the Arts Faculty of the Colombo University to the University Grants Commission (UGC) demanding the removal of the hostel suspension of their colleagues and the suspension of Student Societies as well as against the undercutting of aesthetic subjects. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cycle race flagged off

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, and the National Youth Service Council jointly sponsored and conducted a mega cycle race, which was flagged off by the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesadurai Shandrakanthan opposite of the Batticaloa Public library this morning. Text and pix by Sivam Packiyanathan Batticaloa

Protest at Town Hall

Sri Lanka United Workers Federation today staged a protest at Town Hall urging the government to increase their salaries. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

IUSF protest against UGC

Students of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura attached to the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) staged a protest today outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) in Borella urging authorities to remove the Vice Chancellor of the University. They marched to the UGC from the University premises in Wijerama area in Nugegoda. Pix By Nisal Baduge VIDEO

Repair work on the Kallady bridge

The most famous bridge in the Eastern Province, the Kallady Bridge in Batticaloa will be closed for repair work on December 10 from 10.00pm to 4.00am. The bridge is 70 years old and is believed to be the oldest and longest iron bridge in Sri Lanka. It is the life line between north and south Batticaloa.

Let the Palestinians live

The Socialist Youth Union (SYU) organized a seminar in Colombo today to support the Palestinian people. They urged that Palestine should be given the right to exist freely as they have undergone many sacrifices. Palestine ambassador participated the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Art exhibition by the NVAF

The annual exhibition organised by the National Visual Arts Foundation (NVAF) was opened today by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The exhibition is being held at the National Art Gallery.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi.

Tense situation down Jampatah Lane

A tense situation prevailed down Jampatah Lane today over the abduction of a businessman who was known to be a high profile money lender in Kotahena. He was abducted on Monday morning. A protest was also held in Kotahena with the participation of more than 300 people in the area. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Red Bull Air Show in Unawatuna

Red Bull’s Champion Pilot Peter Besenyei flew across the beach belt in Unawatuna and performed aerobatic flying stunts on last Saturday. A large number of locals and tourists came to watch the show. Pix By Indraratne Balasuriya

Leaving for South Africa

The Sri Lankan squad for the test series against South Africa, beginning next week, left the island today. Seen here are the cricketers taking part in religious observances. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

8th death anniversary of Sri Chandrasekararamaya

A ceremony to commemorate the 8th death anniversary Sri Chandrasekararamaya was held today. Minister Champika Ranawaka was among the participants at the event. Pix. Nisal Baduge

Ranil on Leadership and Fonseka

UNP Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe addresses the media briefing today at the Opposition Leaders Office where he spoke about the party leadership and organizing a petition to release former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana