Judgment on the White Flag case

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was sentenced by the Colombo High Court to three years in prison today. A number of supporters and politicians gathered around the High Court premises amid tight security. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

India and Sri Lanka and the Asian Resurgence

The India-Sri Lanka Foundation and the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies (BCIS) organized a lecture on the topic, “India and Sri Lanka and the Asian Resurgence.” The lecture was delivered by Former Foreign Secretary Ambassador Shyam Saran. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L Peries, Senior Minister Sarath Amunugama and Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok Kantha were present at the lecture. Pix by Kushan Pathiraj

Ranil back from London

Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe coming out of the Bandaranaike International Airport after his tour of London where he was elected as the Asia Pacific Region Chairman of International Democratic Union. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Roof of a building collapses in Town Hall

An old two-storyed building opposite the Salaka building in Town Hall collapsed this morning causing heavy traffic in the Town Hall area. The police and the fire brigade are now clearing up the debris. Pix By Waruna Wanniarachchi

Calls for a salary increase

The National Trade Union Center (NTUC) affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway station urging the government to increase the salary of public and private sector employees. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshsna

Protest in Colombo-Fort

All Island Provincial Revenue Services Unity staged a protest in the Colombo-Fort today urging the government to take steps towards protecting provincial revenue employees in the upcoming budget this year and to provide the solutions to their employment difficulties. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

NCAA men's basketball

Duke's Mason Plumlee drives for lay up past Michigan State's Draymond Green in the first half of their NCAA men's basketball game in New York November 15, 2011. REUTERS

Suspect remand

The first suspect in the Mulleriyawa murder case, the bodyguard of MP Duminda Silva being taken to remand prison after producing him in court today. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Green mission

Arafat M.A. Khalaf, the Mayor of Beitunia in Palestine, planted an olive sapling brought from Palestine at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo today. The pictures show Palestinian Ambassador Anwar Agha and a delegation from Palestine which was on a five-day visit to Sri Lanka and also met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Monday. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Assessing benefits

Central Bank today held a press conference to talk about the ‘tangible and intangible’ advantages Sri Lanka received by bidding for Commonwealth Games 2018, although the country lost the bid to Australia’s Gold Coast. The pictures show Central Bank Governor and Bid Committee Chairman Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Whale watching safaris by Navy

The Sri Lanka Navy organised a whale watching safari programme on Saturday (12) from the Galle Naval Base. The safari will be from Galle to Mirissa on board the naval ship A543, every Wednesday and Saturday till April 2012. A fee of US$ 100 will be charged from foreigners, Rs.3,500 from local tourists and Rs.2,000 from children between 6 and 12 years of age. The Naval passenger ship A543 that had been used earlier to transport military personnel

Death fast

Farmers attached to the Sevanagala Sugar Industries and the Buddhist monks from temples in the vicinity decided to stage a death fast to urge the government to review its decision to acquire this business venture under the Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilised Assets Bill. The picture shows JSCFA President Justin Jayasekera speaking to the media while Sri Dharamapala Viveka Senasana Chief Incumbent Ven. Thanamalwilla Sumangala

Strike demanding removal of Postmaster General

The Postal Trade Union launched a hunger strike today demanding the immediate removal of the current Postmaster General. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Protesting for permanency

The All Island Acting Principles Union today staged a protest in front of the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, urging the government on prior information with regard to trade union action demanding permanency for Acting Principals’ and Principals covering up duties. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dissidents commemorate JVP Founder

JVP Dissidents held a separate function to commemorate the founder leader Rohana Wijeweera and other dead comrades at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

22nd Annual El Maha Samaruwa

The JVP held the 22nd Annual El Maha Samaruwa to commemorate its late founder leader Rohana Wijeweera and other dead comrades at the Vihara Mahadevi Open Air Theatre today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Remembrance Day

Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association conducted the Commemoration and Remembrance Day Service Today (November 13) in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the defence of the country. The event was conducted at the war memorial at Vihara Maha Devi Park. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

President at SAARC closing ceremony

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa listens to a speech during the closing ceremony of the SAARC countries meeting in Addu Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa listens to a speech during the closing ceremony of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries meeting in Addu November 11, 2011. REUTERS

Rs.500 million donation to Thalassaemia patients

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena opened the ‘Hemal’s Thalassaemia Unit’ for the use of Thalassaemia patients in the Western province at the property worth Rs.500 million donated to the Health Ministry by Hemalatha Malini Ariyaratne of Mahara, Kadawatha. The Picture shows Minister Sirisena cutting the ribbon to open the Thalassaemia treatment unit surrounded by philanthropist Mrs. Ariyaratne, Public Relations Minister Mervyn

17th SAARC Summit

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaks during the 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Addu November 10, 2011. The eight-nation SAARC includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the host country Maldives, an archipelago of nearly 1,200 mostly uninhabited atolls in the Indian Ocean. REUTERS

Devotees at Gangarama Temple

Today is Ill Full Moon Poya Day. These photos depict scenes at the Gangarama Temple where Buddhist devotees engaged in religious activities this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

The world champion of Poker!

Pius Heinz of Germany poses with stacks of cash after beating Martin Staszko of the Czech Republic to win the championship bracelet and $8.7 million in prize money during the World Series of Poker main event at the Rio hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 9, 2011. REUTERS

PSTUC protest

The Public Service Trade Union Confederation (PSTUC) staged a protest at Lipton Circle Colombo 2, today urging the government to increase their salaries as well as to give them other increments and benefits from the upcoming government budget. Pix by Samantha Perera

Sowing ceremony and harvesting by soldiers

At least 120 soldiers from the Sri Lanka Army Public Services Regiment participated in a sowing ceremony and harvesting of 100 acres of paddy fields in Ella- Kantale area under the directions of Major Lalith Balasinghe and Captain Champika Kumarasiri. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Dump truck assembly line

Employees work on a dump truck assembly line at the Belarusian Autoworks (BELAZ) plant in Zhodino, some 50 km (31 miles) east of Minsk, November 8, 2011. BELAZ is a specialised manufacturer of heavy-duty and super-size load capacity dump trucks. REUTERS

Inaugural sessions of the CMC

The inaugural sessions of the Colombo Muncipal Council was held today under the patronage of Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil. Picture shows Mayor Muzammil and CMC’s UPFA Leader Milinda Moragoda discussing a point prior to the meeting. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Allegations against Sarath N. Silva

Ex Judge C.D. Kulatilake refers to a document in making allegations against retired Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva while other judicial officers look on. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Dangers of new laws

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera held a press conference today spelling out the dangers of new laws under which private enterprises are to be taken over by the government, speaks to the media. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Reformists won't attack leadership

UNP member of the Southern Provincial Council Maithri Gunaratne addresses a press conference where he announced that the reformists have decided not to attack the leadership because of the situation arisen in the country with the introduction of the Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Unutilised Assets Bill. Pix by Nisal Badhuge

Ploughing in Higher Education

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake is seen participating in ‘Wapmagula’ yesterday at the Uyanwatte paddy field in Davulagala in Kandy. The event was organised by the Agriculture Department of the Central Provincial Council.