Fukushima: how it happened?

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size

Annual festival in Kochchikade

The annual festival at the Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Temple in Kochchikade, Colombo took place today. Seen here is the Vel cart being taken round the temple, led by a group of women carrying clay pots with burning camphor and are held with kohomba leaves. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Game over

Anti-government protesters form the words “Game Over” with bricks as they block the roads from riot police at the junction of Bahrain Financial Harbour in Manama March 14, 2011. Bahrain has been gripped by its worst unrest since the 1990s after protesters took to the streets last month, inspired by uprisings that toppled the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia.  REUTERS

Zimbabwe plays Pakistan in decider

Zimbabwe's Craig Ervine (R) plays a shot as Pakistan's wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal looks on during their ICC Cricket World Cup Group A match in Pallekele March 14, 2011. REUTERS

Fresh explosion at the quake-stricken

Smoke rises from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex in this still image from video footage March 14, 2011. A fresh explosion at the quake-stricken nuclear power complex on Monday is unlikely to have led to a large escape of radioactivity, the government said. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano was speaking after a hydrogen explosion at the No.3 reactor in the plant, which sent a plume of smoke into the air. REUTERS

Foxy match

A fox runs onto the pitch before the Six Nations rugby union match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium  in London March 13, 2011.   REUTERS

Surviving the tsunami

Sixty-year-old survivor Hiromitsu Shinkawa (R) who was swept out to sea by a tsunami is seen as crew members of Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Aegis vessel Choukai approach to him for rescue, about 15km (9.3 miles) off Fukushima prefecture, March 13, 2011. The crew of the JMSDF vessel found Hiromatsu clinging to the roof of his house on Sunday, two days after a tsunami caused by a massive earthquake swept him out to sea. The survivor i

A visit to Werahera

The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to Werahera this afternoon. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke to UNP candidates of the area taking part in the upcoming Local Government elections. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja  

Markings on an infant

A two year old infant boy from Batticaloa with 18 marks in his body in Arabic with the word “Allah” is drawing crowds to his residence in Batticaloa. The two month old infant Mohamad Atheebin.is the 3rd child in the family. Pix by Sarifa

Festival of Colours

People throw coloured powder after hoisting a colourful pole or “chir”, to mark the commencement of Holi in Kathmandu March 13, 2011. The tradition of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is celebrated for seven days from the day of erecting the “chir”. It marks the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over Nepal. REUTERS

Pimped out rides

The motor vehicle and motor accessories exhibition 2011, the Auto Vision Motor Show, is currently under way at the BMICH. The picture shows several vehicles on display at the show. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear reactor

A helicopter flies past Japan's Fukushima Daiichi No.1 Nuclear reactor March 12, 2011. An explosion blew the roof off the unstable reactor north of Tokyo on Saturday,Japanese media said, raising fears of a disastrous meltdown at a nuclear plant damaged in the massive earthquake that hit Japan. REUTERS

Scattered

Cargo containers scattered by a tsunami following an earthquake are seen in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS

Derailed

A train which was traveling from China Bay to Gal Oya was derailed after crashing into an elephant last night. Seen here is the derailed train and it is said that the train services between Trincomalee and Thabalagamuwa are affected as a result of the accident. All trains traveling from Colombo Fort to Trincomalee are currently reaching only up to Thabalagamuwa. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

132nd Battle of the Blues

Thomians celebrate the fall of the wicket of Royal batsman Varuna Dissanayake on the second day of the 132nd Battle of the Blues at the SSC grounds today evening.Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Tsunami effects

A massive tsunami sweeps in to engulf a residential area after a powerful earthquake in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan  March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainla

A visit to Welikada

UPFA parliamentarian and popular actress Malani Fonseka visited the Welikada Prison today hand over sewing machines to four recently released female inmates who under went rehabilitation. The picture shows MP Fonseka having a chat with several female inmates during her visit. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Disaster in Japan

People take shelter as a ceiling collapses in a bookstore during an earthquake in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. REUTERS

Maiden trip

The Indian power set train of Class S11 consists of modern facilities made its maiden trip from Galle to Matara last morning. Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama, Indian High Commissioner Ashok Sri Kanth and several distinguished invitees join the trip. The train with six compartments has seating capacity for 72 second class passengers and 90 third class passengers. A senior official of the Railways Department said three trains of this model h

Wave Crashing

People play in front of a wave crashing into Beirut's Corniche, a seaside promenade, as high winds sweep through Lebanon ahead of an impending storm, March 10, 2011. REUTERS

Congratulations

Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan celebrates with team-mates after dismissing Zimbabwe's Craig Ervine during their ICC Cricket World Cup Group A match in Pallekele March 10, 2011. REUTERS

16mn for development

Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Kunio Takashashi speaks at a ceremony where the Japanese government provided aid to the tune of Rs 16 million for community development projects in Trincomalee and Ratnapura districts. Pic By Nisal Badhuge

The Battle begins

The 132nd Battle of the Blues between St. Thomas College Mount Lavinia and Royal College Colombo began at the SSC grounds today. Seen here are pictures from the day’s play. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Go Sri Lanka go

A fan holds up a Sri Lankan flag prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup Group A match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Kandy March 10, 2011. REUTERS

Growing friendships through sports

The Under-14 girls festival of football organized by the Asian Football Federation started at the Police Park Grounds today. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Semi-retired

The Dalai Lama announced on March 10, 2011 that he was stepping down as political leader of the Tibetan govermment in exile. The Dalai Lama has long seen himself as “semi-retired” from political leadership with an elected prime minister already in place in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala. He remains Tibet's spiritual leader. REUTERS

Battle of the Blues underway

The 132nd Battle of the Blues encounter between Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia kicked off today morning at the SSC grounds. S. Thomas’ won the toss and elected to field. The picture shows Royal and Thomian supporters purchasing flags outside the venue. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

'Top secret'

Chihuahua dog Elmo, the dog of an employee, stands beside the slogan 'Top secret' at the Google building in Zurich March,2011. REUTERS

Simulation exercise

Emergency service volunteers are winched on to an RAF search and rescue Sea King helicopter from Lake Bala, in north Wales, March 9, 2011. The rescue simulation is part of  Exercise Watermark, a national series of events designed to prepare the country's emergency services for serious flooding. REUTERS

Arriving to the medal ceremony

Gold medalist Helena Ekholm of Sweden and silver medalist Tina Bachmann of Germany use a raindeer sleigh to arrive to the medal ceremony after the women's 15 km individual race at the IBU Biathlon World Championships in Khanty-Mansiysk, March 9, 2011. REUTERS