People at Kirulapone are seen today buying pots to boil milk, in preparation for the New Year. Pix by Nisal Baduge

United National Party (UNP) Colombo District MP Rosy Senanayake today participated in a ceremony held at the Public Library, where certificates were awarded to women who successfully completed a dress-making course conducted by Nanda Athukorala. Pi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the website www.healthysrilanka.lk and declared open the ‘Sethsuwa Medura’ organic food outlet at the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya premises in Colombo  this morning. The President appears to be engrossed

Maligwatte residents are seen shouting slogans during a protest over the alleged encroachment of the Maligawatte Muslim Burial Grounds by a private company. The protesters wanted the issue resolved within one week. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A Sow (Female bear) was knocked down early this morning in Silawathurai Manna, when she was trying to run across the main road. The Sow is said to be 5 feet in height and around eight years old. Pix Romesh Madushanka

Customs officers are seen unloading the barrels of Ethanol at the Orugodwaththe Container Yard today. The stock of illegally imported Ethanol was seized by the Customs Revenue Task Force. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

The tsunami commemoration ceremony was held today at Peraliya. The 2004 Tsunami caused destruction to Sri Lanka and several other neighboring countries. Today marks nine years since the disaster. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Hemantha De Silva

The Midnight Christmas Mass was held at St. Anne's Church, Wattala, last night attracting a large number of enthusiastic Catholics.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Christmas is celebrated in the City of Colombo with spectacular illuminations highlighting the importance of the day. Pictures by Pradeep Pathirana

As the world prepares to celebrate Christmas tomorrow, several activities have been organised throughout the country. A devotee is seen here at the St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade preparing a replica of the Crib - where Jesus was born. Pi

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials today confiscated 4,000 kilogrammes of dried fish, 3,000 kilogrammes of tamarind, Goraka and 5,000 kilogrammes of law quality onions not suitable for human consumption in a raid carried out in a wholes

Several opposition members of the Bope Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha set fire to the 2014  Budget proposals after the budget was passed by a majority of three votes. Pix by Sugathapala Deeyagahage ???

United National Party National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen reading the annual publication of the Government Printing Services Union at its 46th Anniversary held at Sirikotha today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel ???

A Federation of Health Services’ Trade Unions held a protest near the Health Ministry today urging the Health Authorities to resolve their salary anomalies. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Odel held an Embark Christmas Party and Puppy Adoption Day at the store’s Alexandra Place Car Park in this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A dinner for both government and opposition members was hosted by the Speaker Chamal Rajapksa last Friday at his residence. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was present at the occasion and Speaker of Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was a sp

The workers of Milco who are staging a strike calling for the removal of its management look at the members of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya who are on a death fast making the same demand today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Christmas trees have become the centre of attraction with natural trees being stacked for sale along roadsides these days. The picture shows a customer picking out a tree to take home at Havelock Town. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

The 55th Convention of the United National Party (UNP) was held at Sirikotha today with the participation of its National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leadership Council Members, parliamentarians and its supporters.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachch

A graduation ceremony for some 113 army cadet officers including two Maldivian army officers were held today at Diyathalawa army camp with the participation of Army Commander Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake.Pix by pradeep pathirana.

Popular artiste Nadeesha Hemamalee, who is set to contest the elections to the Southern Provincial Council on the UNP ticket, is seen receiving her letter of appointment as a UNP Youth Front Coordinator from Youth Front President Ruwan Wijeywardene

Singer Amal Perera seen in a deep thought during a news conference held in Colombo regarding the allegation levelled against him in connection with a missing albino turtle from a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

The Self Employees Federation today staged a protest in Pettah denying the allegations against them. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

A car skidded and toppled over just a few meters before the Kottawa exit point of the Southern Expressway this morning. Police said no one was injured in the accident. Pix by Nisal Baduge and Muditha Dayananda

The Democratic Party of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka last evening visited the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya and obtained blessings to mark his 63rd Birth Day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

The Patriotic National Pavement Hawkers and Three wheels Artificer Organisation today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to meet several of their demands. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

The All Ceylon Ayurveda Health Service Union (ACAHSU) staged a protest near the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine at Borella today against the alleged suppressing its members by authorities. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Inter University Student federation (IUSF) today held a protest outside University Grants Commission (UGC) over several demands including the duration of a degree programme from four to three years. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Chairman of the  UNP Leadership Council Karu Jayasuriya distributesleaflets outside the Fort Railway Station urging the reduction of the sky-rocketing cost of living and over several other demands. The leaflet campaign was organised by the lea

A devotee is seen engaging in religious activities at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to mark the Unduvap Poya Day, today. Pix by Pradeep Dlirukshana