20th anniversary rally

Riot police block Ukrainian opposition supporters during a rally on the 20th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence in Kiev August 24, 2011. Ukrainian police prevented thousands of opposition supporters marching to the presidential administration building on Wednesday during a protest against the trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. REUTERS

Pacific Airlift Rally begins

The Pacific Air Lift Rally commenced in collaboration with the US Air Force Pacific Air Command and regional air forces to respond to disaster relief and providing humanitarian assistance operations within the region swiftly. It will last till August 26. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Earthquake hits US East Coast

A spire atop the Washington National Cathedral shows damage following an earthquake along the eastern United States, August 23, 2011. Three of the four spires at the top of the cathedral were damaged in the largest earthquake to hit the area for over 100 years. REUTERS

Fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge

A couple looks out at the fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California August 23, 2011.  REUTERS

Gota takes on the "Devils" rumours

.Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa conducted a meeting at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) today with the trustees of mosques in Puttlam, Batticlaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee Districts to discuss the incidents which took place in these areas involving "Grease Devils." He also spelled out the stance of the government regarding the issue.(Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

No to animal cruelty

The Multi religious alliance for the prevention of cruelty to animals handed over a petition to the president today demanding a stop to all forms of animal cruelty. The organisers collected a million signatures for the petition. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

JVP nominations

Members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today approved their nominations for the upcoming Colombo Municipal Council Election. The occasion was held at the JVP Community Centre. The picture shows the newly appointed team leader Sunil Watagala handing over the nominations to Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the JVP. (Pix by Samantha Perera)

Help the people in Somalia

Attempts to perform a transfer

Wingwalker Todd Green attempts to perform a transfer to a helicopter during Selfridge Air Show, less than 30 miles from Detroit, August 21, 2011. In another attempt following, Green fell from the aircraft to his death.  Picture taken August 21, 2011. REUTERS

“America's motorcycle ride”

Motorcyclists take part in the annual “America's motorcycle ride”, to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks as they arrive at ground zero in New York August 21, 2011. REUTERS

Sri Lanka down Australia in final ODI

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene plays a shot next to Australia's Brad Haddin during their final One Day International (ODI) cricket match against Australia in Colombo August 22, 2011. REUTERS

Malinga celebrates his hat-trick

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga celebrates his hat-trick wicket of Australia's Xavier Doherty during their final One Day International (ODI) cricket match in Colombo August 22, 2011. REUTERS

IGP visits Puttalam

Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakoon was in Puttlam today to discuss with the police on how to deal with the situation. He held a meeting with senior police and army officers in the area. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha

Bhikkus address UNP crisis

President of the Eksath Jathika Bhikku Sansadaya, Ven. Malabe Seelaratana Thero speaks at a media conference today where they charged that the crisis within the UNP is a conspiracy by certain forces including some media organisations, the Tamil Diaspora and the reformists of the party. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating Range Rovers in Sri Lanka

Hollywood actress Gillian Anderson and her husband made a surprise appearance at Westminster House to celebrate Range Rovers in Sri Lanka. The picture shows Gillian and her husband with British High Commissioner John Rankin. Pix by Indraratna Balasuriya

Blind leading the blind

Visually impaired students form a human pyramid as they attempt to break a clay pot during celebrations on the eve of the Hindu festival “Janmashtami” in Mumbai August 20, 2011. Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Hindu god Krishna, will be celebrated across the country on Sunday. REUTERS

Searching for ‘inner’ peace

Instructor Suzette Ackermann takes part in a yoga session with Snowball, a Pekingese, during a “doya” or dog yoga lesson in Hong Kong August 20, 2011. The class aims to help dogs find their 'inner' peace and to maintain a close relationship with dog lovers, according to the instructors. REUTERS

Sitting for Scholarship Exams

The Scholarship Exams for Grade Five students was held today. Seen here are students at the Ananda Sasrtralaya Vidyalaya in Kotte preparing to sit for the exams. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Sculpture of pop star

U.S. artist Daniel Edwards works on his sculpture of pop stars Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez at his home in Moosup, Connecticut August 19, 2011. The sculpture, still a work in progress, has the young couple conjoined at the torso and almost completely nude except for a maple leaf and Texas Star covering Bieber's and Gomez's private parts respectively. REUTERS

Philippine festivals

Students performs a tribal dance during the Kadayawan festival in Davao city, southern Philippines August 20, 2011. The festival is held every third week of August by the people of Davao, who organise harvest celebrations which include parades, tribal dances and trade fairs. REUTERS

The ball under pressure

Argentina's Manu Ginobili dribbles the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Nicolas Borsellini during a friendly international basketball game in Montevideo August 19,2011. REUTERS

Pacific Airlift Rally

The Pacific Air Lift Rally will be held from August 22 to 26 in collaboration with the US Air Force Pacific Air Command and regional air forces to respond to disaster relief and providing humanitarian assistance operations within the region swiftly. Seen here isAir Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama addressing the media about the first major exercise to be conducted in the Lankan airspace. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Action will be taken: Ranil

Ranil Wickremesighe the Leader of the opposition and the leader of the UNP had a meeting with the leaders of Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) leaders at Nawala. He said disciplinary action would be taken against all the reformists if they have acted against the party’s interests. Mr. Wickremesighe is seen here entering the meeting this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Preparing for “Ganesh Chaturthi”

An artisan applies finishing touches to an idol of Hindu elephant god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, at a workshop in Jammu August 19, 2011. Idols of Ganesh are made two to three months before the day of “Ganesh Chaturthi”, a popular religious festival in India. The idols are taken through the streets in a procession accompanied by dancing and singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolising a ritual see-off of his journey

“Construct 2011” at BMICH

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today participated in the opening ceremony of “Construct 2011” the Engineering Exhibition which is now on at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall (BMICH). The picture shows the Chairman of United Tractors Mr. Priyath Fernando handing over a memento to the president. The exhibition will be held till August 21. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi.

In an emergency...

Participants acting as casualties lie on the ground near a subway station entrance awaiting medical treatment during an emergency medical treatment exercise in a mock North Korean Scud missile attack scenario at Seoul City Hall Plaza August 19, 2011. The civil defence drill was conducted as a part of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) military exercise, an annual joint exercise of South Korea and U.S. forces which runs from August 16-26. REUTERS

Dinner in white

People eat as they participate in the White Dinner in Quebec City August 18, 2011. Guests are required to be dressed in white and bring their own food, drink and cutlery. According to the organisers, the event, which was held for the first time in Quebec City, attracted close to 700 people. REUTERS

Is it to be the leader?

A sight to behold. Two elephants were seen battling it out for pleasure as it seems. Herds of elephants flock to the Kalawewa Resevoir to get a sip of the fresh water a commodity that is scarce due to prevailing drought. (Pic by Athula Bandara)

A bird looking through...

Pet bird Xiao Nuo pecks at the flash while perched on the lens of a camera during an interview by local media with its owner in Kunming, Yunnan province, August 18, 2011. The bird is attracted to cameras and will approach and investigate any cameras it sees, according to the owner. REUTERS

A Symposium on post war

An event organised under the theme "Battles won and wars that must still be fought - A symposium on post war Sri Lanka" was held at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies today. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa along with many dignitaries participated in the event. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi