Pyramid of the Sun

A hot air balloon floats past people who are watching the sunrise at the Pyramid of the Sun of Teotihuacan outside Mexico City during a festival as part of the spring equinox March 20, 2011. Hundreds of Mexicans and tourists gather at Teotihuacan every year to welcome the spring equinox. REUTERS

Invoking Blessings on Japan

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesighe, Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya  and MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa at a Bodhi Pooja held at Kelani Vihara today to invoke blessings on the earthquake victims in Japan. Pic by Nisal Badhuge 

Kachchathivu Festival

Over 3600 devotees from India and around 400 local devotees attended the St. Anthony’s festival which was held in the Kachchathivu Island during the weekend. The picture shows devotees attending the festival taking part in activities today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana 

Donating blood

A health camp titled “Green Health Camp” was organized by the 95 batch of Isipathana College and the Isipathana College’s School Development Society to commemorate the 69th Anniversary of the College. The picture shows a policeman donating blood at the blood donation camp held at the school premises as part of the “Green Health Camp. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Cardamom cardamom !

An illegal shipment of cardamom with an estimated worth of Rs. 1 million rupees imported from Saudi Arabia was taken into custody by the Colombo police after a tip off. The suspect who imported the 195 Kgs of cardamom was also taken into custody. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Remembering Gamini Dissanayake

Today is the 69th birth anniversary of late UNP strongman Gamini Dissanayake. A floral tribute to the Gamini Dissanayake Statue at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7, was held by the family members and friends of the late parliamentarian. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dragon kite

Participants adjust the feathers on a dragon-shaped kite as they prepare to fly it during a kite competition in Xiangcheng county, Henan province March 19, 2011. About 200 kite enthusiasts took part in the competition which was part of an annual kite festival in the region, local media reported. REUTERS

Holi

Children gather around a teacher to receive coloured power as they celebrate Holi, also known as the festival of colours, at a school in Ahmedabad March 19, 2011. The traditional event heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India. REUTERS

Medin Full Moon Poya

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Final hurdle

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen riding Long Run (L) clears the final hurdle ahead of Denman (C) and Kauto Star on his way to win the Gold Cup race at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England March 18, 2011. Waley-Cohen became the first amateur jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for 30 years when he steered 7-2 favourite Long Run to a thrilling victory on Friday.  REUTERS

That's a wrap!

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara (R) celebrates with teammate Mahela Jayawardena after winning the match against New Zealand in the Cricket World cup 2011 tournament at The Wankhede cricket stadium in Mumbai on March 18, 2011. AFP PHOTO 

MR visits sick thero

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Rt. Udugama Sri Buddharakkita Thero  of the Asgiri Chapter who is under medical treatment at the Lanka Hospital today. Pix by Sudath Silva

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

The 15th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission was held at the Galle Face Hotel today. The picture shows Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris at the head table during the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

A visit to the Independence Square

President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a surprise visit to the Independence Square today which is currently under renovation. Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga is seen here pointing out something in the distance to President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his visit. Pix by Sudath Silva

Words of Condolences

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Japanese embassy in Colombo today and signed a Condolence Book for victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Local Government Election-2011

UPFA secured an overwhelming mandate at yesterday’s Local Government Election-2011, obtaining power of 205 local bodies from 234 in which elections were held. The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has won twelve Councils. The UNP has obtained the power of nine councils, while the SLMC has taken the power of four bodies and two councils have been obtained by  the National Congress.

Donations from Sydney

Members of the international non-profit organisation, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, bow their heads as they prepare to collect donations from Sydney residents on March 16, 2011 for the people of Japan affected by the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami which hit there on March 11. The Foundation already in the Sydney city area for another event, collected donations which will be sent to their international headquarters in Taiwan to

Election rally in Piura

Peru's Presidential candidate Luis Castaneda greets supporters during a rally in the northern city of Piura March 17, 2011. Peru will hold general elections on April 10. REUTERS

Big match fever continues

The first day of the annual big match between the D.S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College came to an end with Mahanama being dismissed for 148 at the SSC grounds today. Seen here are pictures from the day’s play. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

And the counting begins…

With the conclusion of voting this evening, ballot boxes have been transported to various counting centres island wide. Seen here are officers taking ballot boxes to Isipathana College which was being used as a counting centre. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Polls in Gampaha

Voters in the Gampaha District cast their votes for the Local Government Elections. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Casting the vote

Elections to elect members for the local government bodies commenced at 7 am today islandwide. President Mahinda Rajapaksa seen here casting his vote at the D.A. Rajapaksa Vidyalaya in Medamulana. Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; ms

A Sporty good time

Children from the Ratmalana blind School enjoy themselves at their annual sports meet last evening. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

Reception for Pakistan team

The Pakistan High Commission organized a reception for the Pakistan Cricket team today at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha also presented at the occasion. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Condolences from the UNP

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today visited the Japanese Ambassador at the Sri Lankan Japan Embassy to convey his condolences to the victims of the recent Tsunami that devastated Japan. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Ballot boxes in Trincomalee

The ballot boxes for the Local Government Election in the Trincomalee District were dispatched to 176 polling stations this morning.  the ballot boxes and the staff for 45 polling stations in Mutthur were transported by ferry under strict security provided by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police. Pic Amadoru Amarajeewa

Getting ready for polls

The Local Government Elections will take place tomorrow with 34,433 candidates in the fray. Security has been beefed up in areas identified as ‘Hot Spots’. Seen here election officers and employees of the Election Secretariat moving ballot boxes to polling stations in the Matale, Matara, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Vavuniya districts. Staff Correspondents

In Bed

An assistant of Australian sculptor Ron Mueck works next to his sculpture entitled “In Bed” at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MARCO) in Monterrey March 15, 2011. The sculpture is part of Mueck's first major exhibition in Latin America opening on March 18, according to organisers. REUTERS

“Fallas” festival

A craftsman puts finishing touches on giant figurines ahead of the “Fallas” festival in Valencia March 15, 2011. The festival welcomes spring and honours Saint Joseph's Day with the burning of giant elaborate sculptures and effigies of wood and plastic in the early hours of March 20, 2011. REUTERS

Strike of the academics

Lecturers of the Nawala Open University staged a protest before the university premises as part of the token strike launched by the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA). The token strike was launched in all the universities countrywide urging the government to realize their promise of providing a substantial pay hike for the academics in Sri Lanka. Pix by Samantha Perera