Collecting 6.9mn signatures

The Electricity Users’ Association and the National Committee for Energy Conservation began collecting 6.9 million signatures for a public petition against increasing electricity bill. The signature campaign held in front of Fort Railway Station.✅ Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Former British PM David Cameron meets President

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD).

Malaysian High Commission moves to new premises

The new premises of the Malaysian High Commission in Colombo which is situated in Barnes Place, Colombo 7 was declared open by Dr. Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Rustam, the Governor of Melaka in Malaysia. Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tan Yang Thai also attended this event. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Devotees throng Sri Ponnambalavaneshwara kovil

Devotees were seen coming in nbers to Shri Ponnambalam Vaneshwaran kovil Kochikade to engaged in religious observances. Engaging in religious observances to mark the New year is a norm in Sri Lanka. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Welcoming 2023.....

Devotees seen engaged in spiritual observance at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo today in view to welcome the year 2023. Chief prelate of the temple Ven. Kirinde Assaji and other monks exhorted those present. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

The past week - In pictures

Year-end shopping festival at BMICH

The year-end shopping festival was launched today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The exhibition will continue until December 31. It includes textiles, footwear, cosmetics, home and kitchen appliances and an array of other items at special discounts. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

World’s first hydrogen-powered city train

The world’s first hydrogen-powered city train indigenously developed by China rolled off the production line in Chengdu of Sichuan Province on Wednesday.

Stop abolishing Cultural Officer post

Employees of the Department of Cultural Affairs today staged a demonstration outside the premises in Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla, against the move to abolish the post of Cultural Officer. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Niagara Falls nearly completely frozen

A rainbow was seen across the tourist hotspot on Tuesday as spectators in winter coats gathered to look at the partially frozen the Niagara waterfalls.

Veggies to Colombo by train after 23 years

The All Ceylon Economic Centers Association (ACECA) and Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre said the transportation of vegetables to Colombo Fort by train from this afternoon. It is the first time in the past 23 years. Transporting of vegetables from Nanu Oya Railway Station to Colombo Fort started at 5.00 pm as a pilot project, and the train was scheduled to reach Colombo Fort at midnight today. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

IUBF protest near Edu. Ministry

Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF) today staged a protest in front of the Education Ministry at Isurupaya over several demands, including the release of their convenors, stop taking revange from students, and open all universities that are being closed. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Navy Chief meets CDS

The newly appointed Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera met Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva at the CDS office.

Large crowds at Fort Railway Station…

A large number of people were waiting at the Fort Railway Station to take trains running on the coastal line. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Signal failure forces people to walk

People were seen walking to Maradana Railway Station due to the technical failure of the light signal. The technical failure occurred between Maradana and Dematagoda train stations this morning. The failure was eventually resolved, and train operations resumed normally. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Tourists from Malta visit SL

A large group of tourists from the Mediterranean island of Malta arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time this morning through Katunayake International Airport. This group consists of 50 Maltese nationals and they will spend 12 days in the country and are scheduled to visit Negombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kaudulla National Park, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains, Yala and Ella by train. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

Annual prize giving at Gothami Balika Vidyalaya

Picture shows the gathering at the annual prize giving ceremony held recently at the Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Maradana. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Passenger ship with 516 tourists arrives in Trinco

A group of 516 tourists from European countries arrived to Trincomalee yesterday by passenger ship MV Silver Spirit. The ship was berthed on Ashroff Jetty in Trincomalee harbour. (Amadoru Amarajeewa)

Blessings throughout the Day

Catholic and Christian devotees visited St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade and St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Kotahena to take part in religious observance and blessings throughout the Christmas Day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Polgolla reservoir reaches its spill level

Several sluice gates of the Polgolla Reservoir were opened due to the increase of the water capacity of Mahaveli River. Pix by Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

Kandy railway station under water

The Kandy railway station was flooded due to heavy rains during last night.

The past week - In pictures

Vegetable Christmas tree emerges from Galle Face

Group of decorators are making final arrangements to a one of a kind Christmas tree made out of about 2,000 living vegetable plants ranging from cabbage, spinach, ladies fingers, green chilies and lettuce setup close to Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

Preparing for Christmas…

People are shopping for Christmas decorations in Colombo ahead of the Christmas festival. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Petition against air pollution…

A petition was handed over to the UN office in Colombo today by a group led by Lawyer Nuwan Bopage claiming that air pollution in Sri Lanka has been caused as a result of winds coming from the direction of India. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Colombo Shopping Festival kicks off

The Colombo Shopping Festival, which is held every year targeting the seasonal holidays, kicked off today at the BMICH. The premium trade fair displays an array of products at special discounted prices. It will continue till Friday (23). Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Christmas decorations

Several places in the Colombo city were seen adorned with lights and decorations ahead of the Christmas. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

75 years of Gampaha Ratnavali Girls’ school

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Gampaha Rathnavali Girls’ school, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were issued at the school. It was held under the patronage of the Transport and Highways Minister, Bandula Gunawardana and Principal, Ms. Hema Jayawardena. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.

Cribs and nativity sets..

Cribs and nativity sets have become popular in Wattala, with predominantly Catholic population, showing a strong interest in these items during the Christmas season. A man is seen producing cribs at his residence in Wattala. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Tourists having fun near Nine Arch bridge

Tourists are having fun near Nine Arch bridge in Ella. These were among the tourists that have arrived giving some life to declining tourism industry in Sri Lanka. Pix Nisal Baduge