On a rescue mission

260 soldiers trapped after flooding in the Thanthrimallai, Bogoda camp in the Western part of Wilapattu were rescued today. The soldiers have been trapped in the camp since yesterday and are being temporarily sheltered at the Thanthrimallai Rajamaha Vihara. Picture shows some of the soldiers involved in the rescue mission. Pic by Atula Bandara

Fight to avoid extradition

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange (L) stands with his lawyer Jennifer Robinson as he makes a statement to the media in front of Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court in London January 11, 2011. Assange appeared in the London court on Tuesday as lawyers draw the battle lines in his fight to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning about alleged sex crimes.  REUTERS

Battle on Facebook continues

Cameron Winklevoss (L) and brother Tyler Winklevoss leave the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals after a hearing on a settlement dispute with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg in San Francisco, California January 11, 2011. The Winklevoss twins, who claimed to have created the idea of Facebook, are disputing on an earlier $65 million settlement after accusing Facebook of misrepresentation of its stock values. REUTERS

Broooom !

Competitors take position at the start of the ninth stage of the third South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2011 from Copiapo to Copiapo January 11, 2011. REUTERS

Successful separation

The first successful operation to separate conjoined twins had been conducted at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital premises last night. The twins who were adjoined at the abdomen were transferred to the surgical ICU where they are now recovering. Pics by Romesh Danushka Silva

Chinese stealth

An aircraft that is reported to be a Chinese stealth fighter is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in this picture taken January 7, 2011, and released by Kyodo news agency January 8, 2011. China staged a first test-flight of a new stealth fighter jet that could narrow the nation's military gap with the United States on January 11, 2011, while the U.S. defence chief was in Beijing, Chinese Internet accounts said. The U.S. military believes the

No bus strike

The private bus strike scheduled to be launched in the Western Province last midnight has been cancelled. Seen here are the buses in the Colombo Fort operating in the usual way. Pics by Kithsiri de Mel

Flash flood

A flash flood sweeps vehicles down a street in Toowoomba, 105 km (65 miles) west of Brisbane January 10, 2011. Australian police  have launched a major search and rescue operation after  devastating flash floods killed eight people, left scores  missing and threatened on Tuesday to swamp the country's  third-largest city Brisbane. Picture taken January 10, 2011. REUTERS

Unity through cricket

Religious leaders are seen wrapping a cricket ball with pirith-nool, in commemoration of the upcoming cricket world. As a sign of unity, a campaign has been organized to wrap a cricket ball with string by members of the public, before being put on display at the at the Sooriyawewa stadium on February 19th. The campaign will start in Jaffna and end in Colombo, and is being organized by several leading private companies. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Assuming duties

Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake is seen here preparing to sign an official document symbolizing his assuming of duties while Ministers Nimal Siripala De Silva and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana look on. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Air rescue

The Sri Lankan Air Force carried out rescue operations in areas affected by heavy floods today. The picture shows Air force personnel airlifting a stranded person who climbed a tree to get aware from the raising water levels. Picture courtesy by Sri Lanka Air Force

Talks about polls

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauf Hakeem is seen here leaving the Election Commission today after meeting Deputy Election Commissioner Mr. W.W.M. Deshapriya. Minister Rauf Hakeem had discussion regarding the Local Government Elections with the Deputy Commissioner. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana  

Thick fog after rain

After heavy rains continued islandwide, a thick fog has emerged in the Colombo area. Here the fog is seen covering the Town Hall and Gangarama area in Colombo. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Marking the first anniversary

Haitian national amputee team goalkeeper stops the ball from players of the Zaryen team (blue) during a friendly match in Port-au-Prince January 9, 2011. Haiti will this week mark the first anniversary of the earthquake that killed around 250,000 people and wrecked much of the capital Port-au-Prince on Jan 12, 2010. REUTERS

Floods cause chaos

Heavy rain and the resulting floods in Batticaloa and Ampara caused havoc in these areas with many roads being inundated and residences being flooded. The pictures show several areas in Batticaloa and Ampara affected by flood and rain. DM Correspondents

UNP “Grama Charika”

A protest rally under the United National Party’s ‘Grama Charika’ campaign was organized today against the raising cost of living and the current political situation in the country. The picture shows the UNP protest rally in Nugegoda. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Inundated

Several districts and in the North ad East were severely affected by floods due to the prevailing high rainfall in the area. The pictures show roads and land inundated it Vavuniya and Batticaloa Pix by Athaulla Bandara and Wanni Romesh

Camouflage

Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, dressed in camouflage fatigues, take part in an annual military exercise in Funabashi, east of Tokyo January 9, 2011. Japan unveiled a sweeping update of its national defence polices last month, aiming for greater flexibility and refocusing its capabilities as it confronts China's military buildup and North Korea's nuclear ambitions. REUTERS

Soaring through the air

Jason Lamy Chappuis of France soars through the air to take the lead in the ski jumping event of the Nordic Combined World Cup competition in the Black Forrest skiing resort of Schonach January 8, 2011.  REUTERS

Discussing blasphemy

A woman holds a placard during a rally by dozens protesting the killing of the Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer in Lahore, January 8, 2011. Taseer was shot dead by one of his guards, who was apparently incensed by the politician's opposition to the blasphemy law, in Islamabad on January 4. REUTERS

From the air

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard flies in a Black Hawk helicopter as she views flooding near the northern Australian city of Rockhampton, in this January 8, 2011 handout photograph. Gillard pledged financial support for Australia's flood-hit northeast on Saturday during a tour of the most heavily inundated parts of Queensland state, but warned the recovery would be slow.   REUTERS

112th birth anniversary

Today marks the 112th birth anniversary of national leader S W R D Bandaranaike. The picture shows former President and daughter of S W R D Bandaranaike, Chandrika Kumaratunga placing a garland of flowers to mark the 112th birth anniversary of her father. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Remembering Lasantha

Today is the second death Anniversary of Lasantha Wickrematunga, the Sunday leader editor who was shot by a death squad while reporting to work. The Picture shows a remembrance service for Lasantha Wickrematunga at the Borella Cemetery. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Toppled !

Richard Gonzales of France and co drivers Gimbre and Bouey camp by their Man truck after it crashed during the night of the sixth stage of the third South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2011 from Iquique to Arica.    REUTERS

Art school

Professors of the Art and Design College grade paintings at Seoul National University of Science and Technology in Seoul. The paintings are part of the entrance examination for the college.  REUTERS

A united force

A passing out parade for 336 Tamil police personnel from the North and East was held at the Kaluthara police academy today. The picture shows police personnel during the passing out ceremony. Pix by Samantha Perera

Christmas on January 7

A priest receives the sacraments from Macedonian Archbishop Stefan during a Christmas liturgy in St. Clement Cathedral in Macedonia's capital Skopje January 7, 2011. Macedonian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar.  REUTERS

Vegetables from the army

The Army in an attempt to cut down the cost of living implemented a programme to sell vegetables at concessionary prices. As an initiative, a stock of 25, 000 kg of vegetables was transported to Colombo from Anuradhapura. The picture shows, Army personnel weighing vegetables at a stall established near the Maligawatte Housing Schemes today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Books for the young ones

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here at the opening ceremony of the Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha library today. The President declared open the library this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Educating the public

The Leader of JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe, and the other JVP party members held a campaign and distributed hand bills in front of the Colombo Fort railway station this morning to educate the public about the present political situation. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja