Upali Dharmadasa new SLC chairman

Former Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) President Upali Dharmadasa assumed duties today as the new Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket board. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Fire in Kalmunai

A fire broke out and caused extensive damage to the YMCA building and two shops in Kalmunai this morning. Police conducting further investigations.

“Celebrity Silhouette”

Cruise liner “Celebrity Silhouette” passes a watergate to leave the port of the Meyer-Werft shipyard in Papenburg, northwestern Germany, on June 2011. The 319 meters long ship started its trip along the Ems river to the North Sea and the Dutch port of Eemshaven. AFP PHOTO

“Born This Way”

U.S. singer Lady Gaga watches children from the traditional Taiwan aborigine Taiya tribe dance during a welcoming ceremony inside the Taichung City Hall building, central Taiwan July 3, 2011. Lady Gaga will be in Taiwan from July 1-5 to promote her latest album “Born This Way”. REUTERS

Struggling to take wickets

England bowler Tim Bresnan (R) challenges Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan during their one day international cricket match at Lords cricket ground in London, July 3, 2011. REUTERS

LTTE supporter invades ground

A protester runs on to the pitch waving a Tamil Tigers flag at Lords cricket ground during the England vs Sri Lanka one day International match in London, July 3, 2011. REUTERS

Ministers’ visit rescued cubs

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MP injured in accident

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Royal tour of Canada

Britain's Prince William hands his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, a shovel during a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa July 2, 2011. Also pictured are Canada's Governor General David Johnston (R) and his wife Sharon (2nd R). Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are on a royal tour of Canada from June 30 to July 8.  REUTERS

AirPower

Members of the Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team perform during the Red Bull AirPower airshow in Zeltweg in the Austrian province of Styria July 1, 2011. REUTERS

About the AALCO

The 50th Anniversary Conference of the Asian African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) was held in Colombo. The picture shows Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem addressing the a press briefing regarding the event this afternoon.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Bodypainting Festival

A model poses during the annual World Bodypainting Festival in Poertschach, July 1, 2011. The world's biggest bodypainting event takes place from July 1 to 3 at lake Woerthersee in Austria's southern Carinthia province. REUTERS

“Heart” in the sky

Israeli air force acrobatic team flying  T-6A Texan II aircrafts create a “heart” shape during the air force pilots' graduation ceremony at Hatzerim air base  June 30, 2011. REUTERS

Sea pen genus Veretillum

A handout picture taken recently and received on June 30, 2011 from the California Academy of Sciences shows a new species of the sea pen genus Veretillum taken during the California Academy of Sciences 2011 marine survey in the Philippines. The animal is only seen at night, when it emerges from the sand and extends the star-like polyps to feed on microscopic plankton in the water. The California Academy of Sciences said it discovered more than 3

Mothers and daughters for Rizana

The mothers and daughters of Lanka organization today asked the government to intervene in order to save the life of Rizana Nafeek. Seen here are members of the organization at the demonstration held in front of the Saudi Embassy this afternoon. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A walk for Cancer

A peace walk from the South to the North was kicked off by UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa in Dondra today. The walk which is organized by Colours for Courage hopes to raise Rs. 300 million to build a Cancer Ward in the Jaffna Hospital. Pix by Manoj Ratnayake

Leopard cubs found

Three female leopard cubs were found at Thabbowa in the Puttalam area this morning. The forest department of the Thabbowa is to hand over these cubs to the Pandulagama national park office today. Pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe.

Helping the sick tusker

The tusker at the Gangaramaya temple Colombo is seen here treated by the officials and vets to help it recover from a stomach-ache it has been suffering for the past couple of days. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Royal Tour

Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at an official welcoming ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa June 30, 2011. Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are on a royal tour of Canada from June 30 to July 8. REUTERS

Archaeological Discovery

An archaeologist cleans the tusk of a prehistoric animal at Miraflores neighborhood in Tegucigalpa June 30, 2011. According to Virgilio Paredes, director of the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH), the finding could correspond to the tusk of mastodon from 12,000 or 15,000 B.C and measures 1.35 meters, but  originally measured 1.80 meters. REUTERS

Looking for their lost loved ones

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Defense Secretary’s son weds

The son of Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Manoj Rajapaksa was married today to Seuwandhi Liyanarachchi at a ceremony in Colombo. President Mahinda Rajapksa signed on behalf of the bridegroom, whilst first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa signed on behalf of the bride. Pic by Sudath Silva

Bidding for the CWG 2018

The Commonwealth Games Federation held a Candidate City Media Conference at the John Exter International Conference Hall today. The Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission Louise Martin, Chief of the Common Wealth Games Federation Mike Hooper and Sri Lanka Commonwealth Games Hambantota 2018 bid committee headed by Co-Chairman Minister fro Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Co-Chairman Governor of the of the Central bank Ajith Ni

Fisher folk protest

More than 2,000 fishermen staged a protest at the Elakanda Junction in Hendala today urging the Navy to lift restrictions on prawn farming. Several Buddhist monks, Catholic priests and prominent politicians including Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne joined the protest that lasted for about four hours. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

Show of faith

A reveler carries a girl on his back while crossing burning embers during the night of San Juan in San Pedro Manrique, Soria province in northern Spain on June, 2011. The ritual consists in starting a bonfire and for the locals to step barefoot on hot coals without burning the soles of their feet, and most times with someone on their back. AFP

Graduation Ceremony

Rebel fighters demonstrate their skills during their graduation ceremony in Benghazi June 29, 2011. REUTERS

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan

Canadian soldiers sit onboard a Canadian air force C-17 aircraft as they prepare to leave Afghanistan at Kandahar Air Field, June 30, 2011. Canada is winding up combat operations in Afghanistan and all combat troops will leave by the end of July, after nearly ten years fighting in Afghanistan.  REUTERS

World Cup Cheers

Supporters of Australia cheer for their team before the Women's World Cup Group  D soccer match against Brazil in Moenchengladbach June 29, 2011. REUTERS

Philippines vs Sri Lanka

Action at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition match between Sri Lanka and Philippines which ended in a one all draw a Sugathadasa Stadium today. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Undergrads protest

Students of the Visual and Performing Arts staged a protest before the university premises today expressing their objection to the Higher Education Ministry’s decision to move the university premises from its current location. Seen in the pictures are the undergraduates holding placards and chanting slogans in objection to the change of university location. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel