50 years since lift off

A man passes a portrait of Yuri Gagarin during a ceremonial reception, dedicated to the upcoming Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics and the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's historic first space flight celebrated on April 12, in Moscow April 11, 2011.  REUTERS

Presidential visit

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here being greeted by enthusiastic shoppers at a shopping mall in Colombo during a surprise visit. The President mingled with the Avurudu shoppers and inquired about their well being. Pix courtesy Presidents Media

Selection Committee selected

A new Selection Committee for the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) comprising Dulip Mendis, Don Arunasiri, Brendon Kuruppu, R. Madurasinghe and Chaminda Mendis was appointed by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The picture shows the newly appointed committee during their first press briefing. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Annual Report 2010

President Mahinda Rakapaksa receives the copies of the Central Bank Annual Report 2010 from Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundere are also seen in the picture. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Air Force ushers in New Year

A New Year festival was held today at the Air Force head quarters to mark New Year’s celebrations. Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama also participated in the New Year events and traditional games including drama performances. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Marching Horse

A farmer and horse breaker performs an exercise on a horse during routine practice on his farm in the outskirts of Havana April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Enjoy your day

People enjoy a sunny day on the river Stour in Dedham, southern England April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Raptors vs. Nets

Toronto Raptors Ed Davis goes up for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Slinga magic

Mumbai Indians fast bowler Lasith Malinga (R) is congratulated by Team's owner Nita Ambani (L) celebrates during the IPL Twenty20 match between Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on April 10, 2011.  AFP PHOTO

Going home for Avurudu

Pettah Bus stand was a hive of activity today as people in their numbers were seen going to their villages for the national new year. Pic By Nisal Badhuge

Avurudu shopping underway

People in large numbers were seen in Pettah seeking to buy their needs at lower prices as the country prepared to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year this week. Here a crowd has gathered around a vendor, selecting clothes. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Kids and Avurudu

Students of the Ananda Balika Vidyalaya in Kotte held their Avurudu celebrations today in light of the upcoming Sinhalese and Tamil New Year. The picture shows students gathered around Avurudu able during the celebrations. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Butterfly Pavilion

A young girl looks at a butterfly at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum on April 8, 2011 during  the opening day for members of the Butterfly Pavilion. More than 40 different butterfly and moth species and an array of plants take up residence every summer for our much-anticipated seasonal exhibit, the Pavilion of Wings.  AFP PHOTO

Road visit

The Sri Lanka Country Director of ADB Dr. Richard Wokes is seen here during an inspection visit to the Southern Highway. A section of the highway which is nearing completion scheduled to be handed over to the government in May. Pix by Samantha Perera

Don’t resign!

Enthusiastic cricket fans gathered at the Independence Square in Colombo this afternoon to urge the Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara and his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena not to resign from their current posts. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Avurudu games

The Sri Nanda Daham School in Madinnagoda, held their New Year festival today. The picture shows a teacher explaining traditional Avurudu games to the children. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Still clearing mines

Sri Lanka army mine clearing operation in the northern town of Kokavil on April 08, 2011. The Sri Lankan military estimates more than a million landmines and other unexploded devices were planted in the last few years of the war, threatening the lives of civilians who are now returning to their villages. The army runs the largest de-mining operation, while organisations like FSD, the Mine Action Group and the Halo Trust are also working in Sri La

Sun beats down in Kili

Some students of Kilinochchi Gonavil College use their gift parcels head covers to protect them from the scorching sun on their way home after school. Gifts items have been donated to them by an organization. The schools were closed for the New Year vacation today.  Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Crackers for Avurudu

Workers at a home fireworks factory are seen here filling firework products in Kibulawala. The demand for fireworks has increased with Avurudu celebrations drawing near. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi 

Mahaweli Exhibition 2011

The “Mahaweli Exhibition 2011” was declared open today by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva. The picture shows Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva visitng one of the stalls at the Exhibition. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Air Force Avurudu Pola

The annual Air Force Avurudu Pola organized by the Directorate of Welfare is currently under way at the Rifle Green Grounds SLAF Station Colombo. The “Pola” is organized each year with the aim of providing Air Force personnel and their families with household requirements, garments and gift items at concessionary prices during the festive season. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Nuclear problems

An aerial view shows Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant is seen at Miyagi Prefecture in this photo taken by Yomiuri Shimbun on April 8, 2011. Water leaked out of spent fuel pools at the Onagawa nuclear plant in northeast Japan after a strong aftershock rocked the region late on Thursday, but there was no change in the radiation levels outside the plant, operator Tohoku Electric Power said on Friday. REUTERS

IT center opened

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya today visited Kokavil to declare open an IT center. The picture shows the Army Commander inspecting the IT center during his visit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

First man in space

A  file photo taken on July 11, 1961 shows Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin saluting the crowd upon his arrival in London during an official visit to England. One half century ago, a carpenter's son named Yuri Gagarin lifted off to become the first man in space, carving an indelible mark in human history and scoring the Soviet Union's greatest Cold War success. AFP PHOTO

Army chief inspects construction site

Army Chief Jagath Jayasuriya yesterday inspected construction work to build a Wellness Resort for disable soldiers in Anuradhapura. The $10 million resort will accommodate 55 quadriplegics, and include residential facilities for visiting family members. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Launching the boats

Barramundi Boatyard Pvt Ltd. in Weligama which is approved as a BOI project of making Luxury sailboats has released the second sail boat which was made in Sri Lanka. The launch of these boats was held on 05th April at Weligama coast line. Pics by  Ranjan Jayawardena - Weligama

Health is wealth

An exhibition was held today at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo to mark the World Health day. A number of health awareness programmes were organized to educate the general public. (Pic by Kushan Pathiraja)

Ayurvedic Graduates protest

Members of the unemployed Ayurvedic Graduates’ Union stage a protest in front of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Rajagiriya today, urging the government to consider recruiting the unemployed Ayurvedic medical students into service. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Protesting for Bennet’s release

Media Rights groups organised a protest today outside the Kaduwela Magistrates Court calling for the release of Lanka e-news editor Bennet Rupasinghe. Anoma Fonseka and JVPer Vijitha Hearth show their support. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Precautions against radiation

Elementary school students hold umbrellas on their way to school as it rains in Seoul April 7, 2011. Concerns about radiation fallout from Japan's nuclear disaster prompted some schools in South Korea to shut on Thursday as rain fell over most of the country, but the nuclear safety agency played down immediate health risks. The country's nuclear safety agency said a small level of radioactive iodine and caesium particles were reported in