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

Astonishing accident, eight Ferraris

Police officers investigate wrecked luxury cars at the site of a traffic accident on the Chugoku Expressway in Shimonoseki, southwestern Japan in this December 4, 2011 photo taken by Kyodo. Ten people were slightly injured in the pile up involving eight Ferraris, a Lamborghini, two Mercedes-Benz and two Japanese cars, according to the police. A group of luxury sports car fans were believed to be driving together when the accident occurred, loca

JVP protest against the budget

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) held a protest today in Kiribathgoda against the budget.  They said that the budget does not provide concessions to the people. Seen here JVP leaders protesting in the Kiribathgoda town.  Pix By Pradeep Dilruckshana

Battle for leadership

UNP MP Ranijth Madduma Bandara flanked by Ven Meetiyagoda Wimalaratana Thera and MP Buddika Pathirana are seen at the media conference in which they announced the expected leadership battle in the UNP between current leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his deputy Karu Jayasuriya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Russian parliamentary elections 2011

Parliamentary elections are currently underway in the Russian Federation. Seen here Russian nationals in Sri Lanka casting their votes today at the Russian Cultural Centre in Colombo 7. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Wold Aids Day in Batticaloa

The pictures show prisoners of the Batticaloa Prison taking part in a procession to mark World Aids Day yesterday. Pix by Sivam Packiyanathan

International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Batticaloa

The Intentional Day of Persons with Disabilities procession took place along Customs Road towards the William Ault Memorial Hall in Batticaloa today. Pix by Sivam Packiyanathan Batticaloa

Self-Employed hold rally to support Govt.

The National Association for the Self-Employed held a rally at the Fort railway station today, supporting the government’s decision to employ Samurdhi Development officers in the state sector. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Let Palestine live freely

The Socialist Youth Union (SYU) organized a rally 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. The participants also signed a petition to support the theme ‘Let Palestine lives freely’. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Army civil work force awarded with medals

The Northern and East Humanitarian Operation Medals were given to the civil work force of the Sri Lanka Army for their contribution during the Northern and Eastern humanitarian operations to defeat the LTTE and to rescue civilians from the clutches of terrorists. The medals were handed over to them at a ceremony held today at the Army Headquarters under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Pix by Kirthsiri De Mel

Protest again Grero crossing over

Residents in the Ratmalana area today staged a protest against Minister Mohan Lal Grero crossing over to the Government. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Marking the 120th anniversary

Marking the 120th anniversary of Musaeus College Colombo today, president Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open a newly constructed building in the school. Musaeus College is the oldest Buddhist private girls’ school in the country. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

J’pura Uni students protest

The Students’ Union of Sri Jayawardenapura University staged a protest in front of the University premises today urging the government to remove the Vice Chancellor (VC), Revoked their hostel suspension and letting the university students to learn in freely manner. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana