Dancers perform

Dancers from China's Gansu province Opera Ensemble perform during their Dunhuang Charm Show at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia February 8, 2011. REUTERS

A panda mother's love

Giant panda Yang Yang grips her five-month-old cub Fu Hu (meaning lucky tiger) in their enclosure at the zoo in Vienna, February 8, 2011. The cub of pandas Yang Yang and Long Hui was born on August 23 in the zoo. Fu Hu's parents were transferred from China to Schoenbrunn Zoo in 2003, and are on loan to Austria by China for a period of 10 years. REUTERS

Calling for Fonseka’s release

The JVP staged a protest in front of the Welikada Prison today urging the government to release Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka. The protest which marks one year since Fonseka was imprisoned was attended by Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and other opposition MP’s. The picture shows a section of the protestors sitting on the Baseline Road in front of the Welikada Prison during the protest. Pix by Pradeep Di

Food aid for flood victims

The picture shows Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, Maithripala Sirisena and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa at the press briefing at the Mahaweli Center today where they announced that a relief food package will be distributed to the flood victims for the next six months. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Post independence freedom

Pilgrims are highly inconvenienced due to the monkey menace at the Kataragama sacred city. Here are some monkeys in front of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya. (Pic by M.N.Priyaratne-Kataragama Corr.)

Ruins of World War II

Patrick Strozoda, prefect of the Hauts-de-Seine department, mayor of Boulogne-Billancourt Christophe Baguet and a mine clearance expert stand next to a bomb dropped by an allied plane in World War II, on February 6, 2011, in Boulogne-Billancourt, west of Paris. Police evacuated 6,000 people in order to destroy the unexploded bomb. The bomb -- weighing half a tonne, of which half was explosives -- was found on a building site on the grounds of t

New series of notes

The 11th series of currency notes of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under the theme “Development , Prosperity and Sri Lanka Dancers”  was launched today. The picture shows Central Bank governor Ajith Nivard Cabral presenting the new series of notes to Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

Weather forecast

A weather satellite image taken above Sri Lanka shows the low pressure system affecting the country at 12noon local time today. (Picture courtesy Weather.com)

World Cup tickets

The picture shows cricket enthusiasts in front of the Sri Lanka Cricket office this morning after being informed no tickets will be issued today. Pix by Achalee Kumarage, Kithsiri de Mel

Worst bushfires in Australia

A helicopter dumps water on flames from a bushfire near Perth February 6, 2011 in this still image taken from video. Fire authorities in Western Australia said on Monday that bushfires around Perth had destroyed more than 40 properties and at least one firefighter had been injured battling the blazes. No serious injuries or deaths have been reported and hundreds of locals spent the night in emergency shelters. REUTERS

"Adhistana Pooja"

The JHU candidates who contest the local government election on the UPFA ticket stage an “Adistana Pooja’ today in the presence of Aggamaha Panditha Ven. Davuldena Gnanissara thera. They vowed   to refrain from ten acts during their campaign such as violence, the use of polythene and fire crackers.  Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka also participated in the event. Pic by Kitsiri de Mel

Victorious Lions

West Indies Ravi Rampaul walks past members of the Sri Lankan team as they celebrate their victory during their third and final one-day international cricket match in Colombo February 6, 2011. REUTERS

Second night at the Colombo Fashion Week 2011

By Sumaiya Rizvi The second night at the HSBC Colombo Fashion Week marked South East Asia’s first ethical fashion week with designers and labels all striving to make their creations environmentally friendly. Bibi Russell a Bangladeshi designer started off the show with a bang in her ethnic music with earthly tones in interesting day wear garments for women and men alike. Her easy going clothes with a touch of colour were a welcoming c

Sluice gates opened

Several sluice gates of Victoria, Randenigala and Loggal oya reservoirs were opened due to the heavy rains in the area. The pictures show Sluice gates that were open in these three reservoirs. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

'Marathonman'

Belgian athlete Stefaan Engels (R), known as 'marathonman', runs his last marathon of the “Carretera de les aigues” (Road of the waters) with supporters on February 5, 2011 in Barcelona. Engels, 48, who set a goal of running 365 marathons in 365 days in several cities in Spain and Portugal with the aim of promoting physical activity and demonstrate that the effort is always rewarded, invites everyone to run with him. &nbs

Floods

This aeriel photograph shows Sri Lanka's flood-hit north, east Polonnaruwa and central regions that have been flooded for the second time since January, on February 05, 2011. Renewed rains have flooded a large number of towns and villages killing at least 13 and driven away some 800,000 people out of their homes, the Disaster Management Centre said. AFP PHOTO

Toppled

A lorry which was transporting fish toppled into Ma oya injuring three including the driver. The lorry which toppled got trapped in the river bank.

Ninja dog

A dog dressed like a “ninja” is led by a woman (R) dressed in a samurai costume during a festival at a shopping mall in Tokyo on February 5, 2011.  Some 80 people in ninja costumes from the city of Iga in Mie Prefecture held the event to promote tourism in Iga, which hosts a ninja museum as well as an annual ninja festival. A ninja was an assassin or spy in feudal Japan (circa 15th century), usually trained for stealth, espionage

“Deyata Kirula”

The “Deyata Kirula 2011” the national development exhibition was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Buttala. The exhibition will be held until the 10th of this month. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here at one of the stalls at the exhibition. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Waving for independence

In view of the 63rd Independence Day, several prisoners were pardoned and released from jail today. At this occasion, members of the media were surprised when former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was escorted before then, and had clamoured to take pictures of the jailed commander. Seen here is Sarath Fonseka waving his hands and acknowledging the media presence, which compelled prison guards to escort him away. Anoma Fonseka was granted permiss

63rd Independence Day

Sri Lanka celebrated 63rd Independence Day today at Kataragama. Picture shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa hoisting the National Flag. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Navy mark independence

In commemoration of the 63rd Independence Day, the Sri Lankan Navy fired a gun salute from the Colombo Port lighthouse premises this morning. 25 gun shots were fired to mark the National Independence Day. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Park covered in ice

A child plays in a park covered in ice in Ciudad Juarez February 3, 2011. A record breaking temperature, lowest since 1952, has hit Ciudad Juarez and several other cities along the border with the U.S. causing power failures and forcing schools to close, according to local media. REUTERS

Dancing on ice

Cathy Reed and Chris Reed of Japan perform during the ice dance short dance figure skating competition at the 7th Asian Winter Games in Astana February 3, 2011.  REUTERS

Victory

Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardena congratulates West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo after defeating Wat Indies during the second One Day International (ODI) cricket match between Sri Lanka and West Indies at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Cricket Ground in Colombo on February 3, 2011.  Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by eight wickets in the second one-day international on Thursday to take the lead in the three-match series. AFP P

Illegal structures turned to rubble

Illegal structures in the Malligawatta area were demolished today as part of an attempt to beautify the city in the run up to this month ICC Cricket World Cup. Pix by Samatha Perera

Celebrating the team spirit

Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan celebrates with his teammates after the wicket of West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle during the second One Day International (ODI) cricket match between Sri Lanka and West Indies at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Cricket Ground in Colombo on February 3, 2011. Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara elected to field after winning the toss against the West Indies in the second one-day international. AFP

Yasi's fury

Vehicles queue to cross a flooded section of the Bruce Highway bordered by banana plantations devastated when Cyclone Yasi tore through Tully on February 3, 2011. Australia's worst cyclone in a century devastated towns and left 175,000 people without power, but miraculously no deaths were reported as police scoured worst-hit areas. AFP PHOTO

Preparing for independence day

With Sri Lanka preparing to celebrate its 63rd Independence Day this Friday, vendors all over the island have already began selling national flags to people to mark the day. Seen here are vendors in the Pettah area selling flags to passer-bys. Pix by Samantha Perera

“Viceroy Special”

The longest stamp that has been issued by the Sri Lanka postal department was launched today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Viceroy Luxury Steam Train. The picture shows the “Viceroy Special” train. Pix by Kushan Pathirajah