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

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