Demolished !

The Urban Development Authority today removed several illegally constructed houses and building in Sahaspura, Borella. The picture shows a heavy vehicles belonging to the UDA demolishing illegally constructed houses in the area. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Eyeing the World Cup

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) and Sri Lankan captain Kumara Sangakkara pose with the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy at The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 1, 2011, on the eve of the final match which is scheduled to be played in the city on April 2. AFP PHOTO

Wish the Sri Lankan team BEST OF LUCK !

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Chinese Circus in Sri Lanka

The Chinese Circus featuring the Nanjing Acrobatic troupe began performing yesterday, at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium. The show times are from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. The show was organized by the Old Nalandians and will be performed during from 31st March to 30th April. Pics by Indrarathne Balasuriya

Team "Arctic Dustoff"

U.S. SPC Lucas and SSG Thompson from “Arctic Dustoff” team, Company C, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment wash their Black Hawk chase helicopter at Kandahar Air Field, southern Afghanistan, March 31, 2011. REUTERS

Works on the Geo-IK-2

A specialist works on the Geo-IK-2 geodetic space satellite in the testing area of the open joint-stock company Reshetnev Information Satellite Systemsk, formerly known as the NPO PM Applied Mechanics Institute, in the Siberian town of Zheleznogorsk, 50 km (31 miles) northeast of Krasnoyarsk, March 31, 2011. REUTERS

Four injured in train-bus collision

Four people were seriously injured when a bus collided with a train in Batuwatta, Ragama this evening police media spokesman said. He said that the train was heading towards Vavuniya from Colombo and the bus had neglected the railway gate and tried to go through the crossing. Inside the bus there were only four persons as it was on its way for a hire. The injured are now receiving treatment at the Ragama General Hospital. (SD) Pics by Dewapriya

India beat Pakistan, set up final clash with Sri Lanka

India's players celebrate after winning their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match against Pakistan in Mohali March 30, 2011. REUTERS

Great spider crabs

A girl looks at a great spider crab living in a 20,000 liter-basin at the Sea Life aquarium in Timmendorfer Strand, northern Germany, on March 30, 2011. Some species of the marine crabs reach a leg span of three meters and even more. AFP

Storms in Nakho

An official and a villager walk along a beach after heavy storms in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province, south of Bangkok March 30, 2011. Severe flooding and mudslides in southern Thailand have killed 21 people, stranded thousands of tourists and threatened to delay shipments of rubber in the world's largest rubber-producing country, authorities said on Wednesday. REUTERS

Celebrates after taking the 4th wicket

Pakistan's Umar Gul congratulates Wahab Riaz on taking the wicket of India's Yuvraj Singh during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match in Mohali March 30, 2011. REUTERS

LG members take oaths

Newly elected UNP members of the local government bodies took their oaths before party leader Ranil Wickremesighe and Deputy Leaders Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa at Sirikotha today. Pic By Nisal Baduge 

Farewell for the king of spin

Members of the Sri Lankan team carry teammate Muttiah Muralitharan, playing in his last Cricket World Cup, after they beat New Zealand in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match in Colombo March 29, 2011. REUTERS

Chasing a berth in the finals

Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara snicks a ball past New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum in their Cricket World Cup semi-final match played at The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on March 29, 2011. AFP

Congratulated by captain

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga is congratulated by captain and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara as New Zealand's Nathan McCullum walks off the field after being dismissed during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match in Colombo March 29, 2011. REUTERS

Let the battle begin!

All the preparations were set to start the encounter between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo today. Seen here are the captured images of the people who are coming to see the Lankan team in action. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ponting retires as Aussi captain

Australia's Ricky Ponting looks down during a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground March 29, 2011, where he announced he was retiring as the country's test and one-day cricket captain. Ponting, the most successful captain in 134 years of test cricket, resigned as captain on Tuesday but will continue as a batsman with the team.  REUTERS

Special Prayer Ceremony

Students wear paper masks of Indian cricketers as they attend a special prayer ceremony for the victory of the Indian cricket team in the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match against Pakistan on Wednesday, at a temple in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh March 28, 2011. REUTERS

Tour of Colombo

The Colombo Guide by Sri Serendipity Publishing, the first comprehensive city guide to Colombo brainchild of Publisher, Juliet Coombe, opens up Colombo to the world and shows the booming city as never seen before. Seen here are the pictures from the book launch which has been held today. Pics by Wauna Wanniarachchi

Admiring the art-work

Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath looks at tattoos on the arm of his teammate Lasith Malinga during a training session at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo on March 28, 2011. Sri Lanka face New Zealand in their Cricket World Cup semi-final match to be played in Colombo on March 29, 2011. AFP

Saving what you can

A rubber factory in Charley Mount estate in Udukawa, Weligama was on fire this afternoon with several employees trapped inside. The police and the Galle Fire Brigade who rushed to the scene carried out rescue operations with the help of the residents in the area. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Radiation alert

Shyudou Kaneyama is tested for possible nuclear radiation at an evacuation center in Fukushima,  north of Japan, March 28, 2011. Japan appeared resigned on Monday to a long fight to contain the world's most dangerous atomic crisis in 25 years after high radiation levels complicated work at its crippled nuclear plant. Kaneyama was evacuated from his home in Namie, which is located about 16 km from the crippled nuclear reactor, and he didn

Marking “Earth Hour”

An event to mark “Earth Hour” organized by the Western Province Environment Ministry was held yesterday at the Sri Ranasignhe National School in Kotikawatte. The picture shows Chief Guest at the event, Australian High Commissioner, Kathy Klugman, lighting the traditional torch to mark the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Diversity in music

The Jaffna Music Festival was successfully concluded after three days at the Jaffna Municipal Council Grounds last night. The pictures show one of the groups taking part in the festival performing at third night’s event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Kiwis ready to battle with Lions

New Zealand's James Franklin (L) bowls as bowling coach Allan Donald looks on during their training session at the Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium (P Sara Oval), before Tuesday's ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka, in Colombo March 27, 2011. REUTERS

Northern Development

With the end of the three decade war, development has been taking place the Northern part of the country. Seen here are development steps being taken in the Chunnakam town in Jaffna, where road and electricity facilitates are being developed. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Oops it’s hurting

A dog-lover petting a dog at the dog show organized by the Kennel Association of Sri Lanka which was held at the Viharamahadevi Park today. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachchi

‘Pride of Ownership’

The annual ‘Pride of Ownership’ drive organized by the VW Beetle Owners Club was held today for the 12th consecutive year. The drive which included nearly 60 Beetles commenced in front of the Colombo Hilton and headed to Beruwala along Galle Road where the event is scheduled to be concluded for this year. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Aquinas walk in Colombo

The streets of Colombo came alive today with the Aquinas University College annual walk which paraded along Borella, Maradana and Ward Place in the morning. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Into the semi-finals

Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan celebrates his century during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-final match against England in Colombo March 26, 2011. REUTERS