Providing reinforcements

The United States Embassy donated four Tata Personnel Carriers to the Sri Lankan Army Humanitarian Demining Unit, today. Pictured here US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia A.Butenis handing over the keys to Brigadier Udayantha Wijeratne of the Engineering Corps of the Sri Lanka Army, as Military Spokesperson Major General Ubhaya Medawala looks on.  Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Synchronized swimming

Swimmers perform synchronized swimming inside 63 Sea World Aquarium at a promotional dive for entertaining summer vacation visitors in Seoul July 20, 2011. REUTERS

Gazillion bubble show

Canadian bubble artist Yang Fan, who has set world record by packing 118 people inside a soap bubble, performs at the Gazillion bubble show in Beijing on July 19, 2011. Yang has earned international acclaim as a result of his complex displays of “bubble theater”. In addition to performing he has developed his own bubble solution formulas and equipment to create bubbles. AFP

Environmental Effect

People walk in a slum near the banks of Manohara River which is affected by flooding due to heavy rainfall last night, in Bhaktapur July 20, 2011. The monsoon season in Nepal typically lasts from June to August. REUTERS

Uruguay beats Peru

Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrates his second goal with teammate Diego Forlan during their semi-final soccer match against Peru at the Copa America in La Plata, July 19, 2011. REUTERS

Dog spa

Nikita, a pomeranian, gets a pedicure at a dog spa in Cainta, Metro Manila July 19, 2011. While dog grooming is becoming popular in major cities in the Philippines, local reports say about 500,000 dogs are killed as dog meat is considered a delicacy in some parts of the country. The Philippine Animal Welfare Act prohibits torturing and killing of dogs for commercial sale. REUTERS

Kovil festival

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Is the Executive a challenge ?

Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva is seen here walking to the podium to address a public seminar titled “Is the Executive a challenge to the people’s sovereignty?” at the Colombo Public Library auditorium organized by the Democratic People’s Forum. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

Dragon dance

Artists perform a dragon dance at the inauguration ceremony of China Town complex, a 100 million euro ($128.6 million) building project with Chinese and Turkish investors in Afumati village, in the outskirts of Bucharest, July 19, 2011. REUTERS

The campaign is on

The two main political parties the UPFA and the UNP were seen carrying out election campaigning in the Kaduwela Municipal Council area for the upcoming Local Government elections. The pictures show UPFA and UNP parties’ supporters campaigning for their parties. Pix by Samantha Perera

Splash !

In an underwater picture France's Marion Farissier competes in the women's 3-metre synchro springboard preliminary round diving event at the FINA World Championships at the outdoor diving pool of the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, on July 16, 2011.   AFP PHOTO

Sinha Regiment colours night

The annual colours night of the Sinha Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army was held under the patronage of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya today at the Bishop’s College Auditorium. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Artwork

A child lies on a piece of 3D pavement artwork featuring a shark as she poses for a photograph for her family inside a shopping mall in Fuzhou, Fujian province July 17, 2011. Picture taken July 17, 2011. REUTERS

Calgary Stampede

Straws Milan of Cochrane, Alberta wrestles a steer in the first round of the steer wrestling event during the Calgary Stampede rodeo finals in Calgary, Alberta, July 17, 2011. Milan went on to win the event. REUTERS

“Abdul Jabar” trophy

Isipathana College and Thurstan College took part in the 43rd annual clash for the “Abdul Jabar” rugby trophy at Longdon place in Colombo this evening. At the end of play Isipathana College scored 70 while Thurstan College scored 6. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah 

Lending a helping hand

The picture shows Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne lending a had to prepare a field for cultivation at a ceremony held in Ranmulkaduwa fields in Gampola. The Prime Minister stated during the event that the country’s youth should be reintroduced to paddy cultivation so as to develop the agricultural sector in the country. Prime Minister’s Media Unit

“Bee-attracting”

Beekeeper Wang Dalin, 42, stands with bees covering his body on a weighing scale during a “bee-attracting” competition against fellow beekeeper Lv Kongjiang in Shaoyang, Hunan province July 16, 2011. Wang and Lv competed by standing on a scale wearing only a pair of shorts and using queen bees they reared to attract other bees onto their bodies. Wang won the competition after attracting 26 kg (57 lbs) of bees on his body in 60 minutes

Water sports

A man falls as he participates in a recreational sporting competition at an entertainment centre near the village of Pleshchenitsy, 70km (44 miles) northeast of Minsk, July 16, 2011. An estimated 200 participants from neighbouring countries took part in the weekend event, which featured biking and water sporting activities.  REUTERS

A Russian Troika

Russian Troikas, carts drawn by three horses, compete during the 11th regional rural amateur horse race in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, July 16, 2011. Nonprofessional equestrians from the local agricultural population compete in the annual event for the main prize of a tractor. REUTERS

“Zero carbon Britain before we drown”

Environmental activists hold a banner which reads “Zero carbon Britain before we drown” on the bank of the Thames across from the Houses of Parliament in London July 16, 2011. Campaigners have organised events around the country today to promote the goal of a zero carbon Britain by 2030. REUTERS

Raise $2mn to build a cancer unit

Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene carrying a charity till lends a hand to a young boy climbing down a staircase to greet him during a charity walk in the central town of Thambuttegama today. The 27-day walk is organized by local charity, the Colours of Trust, to raise $2 million to build a cancer unit in the former northern war-hit Jaffna hospital. Jayawardene, is an active member of the Trust, that raises funds for cancer pa

Mass wedding ceremony

Brides and grooms pose during a mass wedding ceremony in Amman July 15, 2011. A Jordanian Islamic charity organized a mass wedding for 72 couples unable to afford expensive ceremonies. REUTERS

Hindu festival begins

Slave Island Sivasubramaniya Hindu Temple festival starts from today till 25th of July. Seen here a priest conducting rites at the festival. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Oil Rig Explosion

Fire boats battle the blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon, off Louisiana, in this April 21, 2010 handout file photo. BP Plc promised improved drilling practices on July 15, 2011 as the company balances twin aims of rebuilding investor and public confidence after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill while not admitting flaws in its own procedures. REUTERS

In reverence

Buddhists carry candles while encircling a large Buddha statue during Asanha Puja Day, the eve of the Buddhist Lent, at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok July 15, 2011.  REUTERS

Worth a million bucks

Colin Weir and his wife Chris pose for photographers during a news conference in a hotel near Falkirk, Scotland July 15, 2011. The couple scooped 161 million pounds ($259 million) in Tuesday's Euromillions jackpot. REUTERS

“Ayurveda-Expo 2011”

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Miss World Hungary

Linda Szunai (R) is crowned 2011 Miss World Hungary by 2010 Miss World Hungary in Budapest July 14, 2011. REUTERS

Royal guard of honour

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah salutes the royal guard of honour during his 65th birthday celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan July 15, 2011. Bolkiah was born on July 15, 1946 and ascended the throne to become the 29th Sultan of Brunei in 1967. REUTERS

Mount Lokon spews hot lava

Mount Lokon spews hot lava and volcanic ash during an eruption in Tomohon in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province July 14, 2011. Indonesia's Mount Lokon erupted to spew hot lava and volcanic ash as high as 1,500 metres (5,000 feet) in the north of Sulawesi island, prompting panicked residents to flee the agricultural area, a government official said on Friday. Picture taken July 14, 2011. REUTERS