Getting ready for the Lunar New Year

A Filipino-Chinese buys decorations for Chinese New Year at a store in Manila's Chinatown January 22, 2011. The Lunar New Year begins on February 3 and marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS

"Vienna ice dream"

Skaters enjoy the annual 'Wiener Eistraum' ice rink built at the city hall square in Vienna January 21, 2011. The “Wiener Eistraum” (Vienna ice dream) is open to the public until March 6, 2011. REUTERS

Religions for Peace

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Bird flu effects

Workers wearing protection suits prepare to cull chickens at a poultry farm where the bird flu virus had been found in Miyazaki, southern Japan January 22, 2011. Six chickens have been confirmed infected with a highly pathogenic avian flu virus at a poultry farm in Miyazaki where dozens of birds were found dead, the Miyazaki prefectural government said on Saturday, prompting the central government to convene a task force meeting, Kyodo news repor

“Flights of Fantasy Parade”

Performers dressed as Disney characters dance during the “Flights of Fantasy Parade” at Hong Kong Disneyland January 21, 2011. Hong Kong Disneyland announced that its net loss dropped 45 percent from a year earlier, narrowing to HK$718 million ($92.4 million) for the 12 months to October 2, 2010. The theme park expects visitor numbers to reach 5.8 million this year, said Managing Director Andrew Kam, according to local media. REUTERS

A memento from Lanka

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Pakistan Chief of Army Staff paid a visit to the Defense Services and Command Staff College in Batalanda and addressed the students and senior officers today. The picture shows Commandant of the Defense Service and Command Staff College Major General Jagath Rambukpotha giving a memento to the visiting Pakistani Army Chief. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Hijacked ship crew rescued

South Korean naval special forces take up positions during an operation to rescue crew members on the Samho Jewelry vessel in the Arabian Sea January 21, 2011. South Korea's navy has rescued all crew members aboard a South Korean chemical ship hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, President Lee Myung-bak said on Friday. Five pirates were captured, and eight were killed. The Samho Jewelry, en route to Sri Lanka from the United Arab

“Paul Corner”

The memorial of Paul the octopus is presented on January 20, 2011at the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany. The tentacled tipster was honoured with a “Paul Corner” at his former home 3 months after his death, containing his ashes and a “huge memorial”. Paul the octopus, who shot to fame during the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa for his flawless record in predicting game outcomes, died in October 2010

Providing water

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis declared open the water line extension along Semmandaluwa Road in the Township of Puttalam, enabling 100 families in the area to obtain fresh water.  Acting on a request by the local residents conveyed by Mayor Mohammed Nazmi, Ambassador Butenis initiated steps to fund the construction. The US Ambassador Patricia Butenis and Puttalam Mayor Mohammed Nazmi are seen here ceremonially opening the w

Riding the big wave

Three surfers catch a large wave at the surf spot on the outer reefs known as “Himalayas” on the North Shore of Oahu in Haleiwa, Hawaii January 20, 2011. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational was called off for today due to inconsistent waves of 40 feet or higher. REUTERS

Navy chief meets CDS

The Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake called on the Chief of Defence Staff and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka at the Air Force Headquarters today. He was accorded a guard of honour and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. Pics By Pradeep Dilruckshana

Military chiefs meet

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff who is on a three-day visit was given a guard of honour at the Air Force Headquarters yesterday and had bilateral talks with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka. Pic By Pradeep Pathirana

Guard of Honour

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff who is on a three day visit was given a guard of honour at the Army Headquarters this morning and had bilateral talks with the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Pics By Pradeep Pathirana

Uli’s first photo shoot

Baby elephant Uli hides behind his mother Sabie in their enclosure at the zoo in Wuppertal, western Germany, as he has his first photocall on January 18, 2011. Uli was born at the zoo on January 16, 2011. AFP

Pakistan Army Chief arrives

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, arrived today on a three day visit and was received by Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Bandaranaike International Airport after he arrived in a Pakistan Air Force plane.  Pic By Nisal Baduge

Festivities at Nuwara Eliya

The Maha Kumbabisegam festival was celebrated today morning at the Eswara temple of Sri Gayathri Peedam in Nuwara Eliya today, and is held once a year. Pix: Waruna Wanniarachchi.

Teaching meditation

Ajahn Brahm Thero, the world renowned meditation teacher from Perth, conducted a mediation programme today at the BMICH with the participation of several thousands of devotees. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Observing Duruthu Poya

Buddhist devotees light joss sticks at Gangarama Temple, Colombo today to mark Duruthu Poya. Pic by Kitsiri de Mel

Kelaniya Perahera

The annual Duruthu Maha Perahera of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya was held yesterday night. Seen here is Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe placing the casket carrying the sacred relics at the start of the Perahera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SBX

Australia's Alex Pullin, Seth Wescott of the U.S., Italy's Luca Matteotti, and Nate Holland of the U.S.  are airborne as they compete in the men's Snowboard Cross (SBX) final to be placed in first, second, fourth and third position respectively at the FIS Snowboard World Championships in La Molina January 18, 2011. The championships take place in Barcelona and La Molina from January 15 to 22.    REUTERS

Beginning school

The picture shows year two students of the Ananda Sastralaya in Kotte greeting year one students on their first day at school today. January 18th was the first day of the school for year one students. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Preparing for Perahera

The Kelani Duruthu Perahera commenced today and the Randoli Perahera will be held for three days. The picture shows the elephants being prepared for the Preahera. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Against attacks on media

Media organizations today held a protest at the Fort railway station alleging that that the responsibility of the attacks on the media in the recent past lay with the government. The picture shows media personnel at the protest rally. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tragedy

A nine month old infant is missing while the mother is in critical condition after the motor cycle they were traveling collided with a bus near the Kandalam tank a short while ago. The father of the infant died due to the accident. The infant and the two parents were traveling in a motorcycle when they collided with a bus near the Kandalam tank pushing the motorcycle into the water. Search and rescue operations are underway to locate the infant

Meeting Gaddafi

Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Al-Gaddafi is seen here greeting Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa during their meeting in Tripoli, Libya. Parliamentarian Mr. Sajin De Vas Gunawardane were also presnt at the meeting. Pix By : Udesh Gunarathna

Sled Dog Racing

Mushers and their dogs rush at the mass start of the Haute Maurienne trophy of the La Grande Odyssee sled dog race in Bessans January 17, 2011. The race crosses the Alps in France and Switzerland covering over 1000 km (621 miles) over 11 days. REUTERS

Rations for the victims

The picture shows rations being handed out to children who were displaced in Batticaloa due to the floods and heavy rain. The situation in the area is expected to get better with the flood water receding. Pix by Samantha Perera

Blessing !

Father Juan Villa blesses a dog outside Madrid's San Anton church January 17, 2011. Hundreds of pet owners bring their animals to be blessed every year on the day of San Anton, Spain's patron saint of animals. REUTERS

Helping the cause

Several businessmen met Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake today and provided relief goods to be distributed to the victims of the recent flooding. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

School must go on

Two teachers clean up the floor of a classroom at Anaipanthy R.M.K. Maha Vidyalaya , Batticaloa. Schools were reopened for academic activities today after the recent floods. Most schools were found to be filled with sludge and muddy water. Pix by Samantha Perera