De-mining the mines

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Against corruption

Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva delivered a lecture at the launch of the website "Anticurrupt," held at the Auditorium of the National Library today. The gathering was attended by prominent activist against curroption in the country.

CMC in-searching on unhygienic food

The Colombo Municipal Council conducted raids on vendors and food outlets at the Galle Face Green today. Seen here are CMC officials involved in the raids. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Three killed in Yakkala accident

A family of three was killed when they met with an accident on their way to Anradhapura. They met with their fate in Yakkala on the Colombo Kandy main road. The car collided head on with an oncoming bus. The driver of the bus was taken into custody by Gampaha police pending further inquiries.

Lanka's post-war struggle

The Sri Lankan civil war, which began in 1983, saw the Tamil Tigers fighting government forces to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil Eelam in the north and the east of the island. After a 26-year-long military campaign, the Sri Lankan military defeated the Tamil Tigers in May 2009. ... (Pictures courtesy Aljazeera)

Iraqi Soccer

Riot soldiers march during the final match between Al-Zawra and Arbil in the Iraqi soccer league in Baghdad's Shaab Stadium August 15, 2011. REUTERS

Happy birthday Fidel

The National Freedom Front (NFF) organised an event, “Beloved Comrade Fidel: Happy Birthday to you” to celebrate the 85th Birthday of Comrade Fidel Castro at the Film Corporation Auditorium yesterday under the patronage of Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Cuban Ambassador in Sri Lanka Nirsia Castro Guevara. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

A view of the Horizon for Putin

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is seen onboard a motorboat before visiting the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery in Karelia, northwestern Russia August, 2011. REUTERS

Cracks underwater

Cracks underwater, measuring at least 80 meter (262 feet) long and 1 meter (3.28 feet) deep, which are believed to have been created by the March 11 earthquake is pictured near the earthquake center in the east of Japan's Sanriku shorline on August 4, 2011 in this handout released by Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) August 15, 2011. The research conducted by “Shinkai 6500”, a manned submersible, was h

Madu festival

The pictures show moments captured at the annual Madu Festival which was held today in Madu, Mannar. A large number of devotees participated in religious activities at the festival. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Eve of the 65th Indian Independence Day

The High Commission of India today celebrated the eve of the 65th Indian Independence Day at India House in Colombo. Ashok K. Kantha, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka is seen here hoisting the Indian National Flag at the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

“banzai”

Members of a right-wing group raise their arms as they shout “banzai” (or cheers) while paying tribute to the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo August 15, 2011, during the 66th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. REUTERS

Bonneville SpeedWeek

The No Nitro Hammond lakester makes a run during the second day of the 63rd annual Bonneville SpeedWeek race on the Bonneville Salt Flats outside Wendover, Utah, August 14, 2011. Hundreds of drag race cars will attempt to set land speed records during the course of the week.  REUTERS

Ban visits his homeland

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hugs his mother Shin Hyun-soon as his wife Yoo Soon-taek looks on during their visit to Ban's hometown in Eumseong, southeast of Seoul, August 14, 2011. Ban is visiting his homeland South Korea for a six-day trip after he was re-elected as the U.N. chief. REUTERS

Lee jumps in joy

Australia's Brett Lee (R) celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's captain Tillakaratne Dilshan during their second One Day International (ODI) cricket match in Hambantota August 14, 2011. REUTERS

Celebrating Independence Day

The High Commission of Pakistan celebrated the 65th Independence Day in Colombo today. Pakistan High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Seema Ilahi Baloch hoisted the Pakistan national flag at the event. Pix By:Kushan Pathiraja

“Esela Perehara”

The annual “Esela Perehara” was held in Kandy yesterday evening. The picture shows the tusker carrying the sacred tooth relic decorated in lights during the event. Pix by Samantha Perera

The bliss that is the beach

Jockeys are silhouetted against the sun after taking part in a race along the beach during low tide in the southern Spanish town of San Lucar de Barrameda, August 10, 2011. REUTERS

Clash with the Police

Protesters scuffle with security forces after trying to move into the center of Tahrir square, the focal point of the uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, August 12, 2011. More than 42 political parties and youth coalitions gathered in Tahrir square to break their fast after activists called for a million-man protest to demand a civilian state. REUTERS

Breaking fast to protest

Hundreds of Egyptian protesters gather at Tahrir Square in Cairo, August 12, 2011. More than 42 political parties and youth coalitions gathered in Tahrir square to break their fast after activists called for a million-man protest to demand a civilian state. REUTERS

Peaceful contemplation

A monk appears to be undeterred by the happenings around him during religious observations held in lieu of the NikinI Poya at the Kelaniya temple today. Religious observances were conducted at the Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya with the participation of a large number of devotees.  Pix by Varuna Wanniarchchi

The beauty of peace and serenity

Buddha statues are seen at a workshop on Poya day in Bundala today. The full moon of each month, called Poya Day, is a day of religious observance for the Buddhists and a public holiday in the country. REUTERS

Counting elephants

The picture shows Wild Life Department officers and volunteers in the field of the first census of elephants after 18 years at the Minneriya National Park. Elephants will be counted for three days as they come to drink from water holes, reservoirs and tanks. Statistics will also be collected under various groups, such as adult male, adult female, adolescent, juvenile and calf. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Youth: Guinness World Record

The British Council (Sri Lanka) Global Change-Makers created a Guinness World Record today where 1,500 Sri Lankans stood together united to form the word “YOUTH” at the Colombo University grounds to coincide with International Youth Day. This has been recorded as the largest Human Mosaic in the world. Pix by Lakshman Nadaraja

A light moment

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya is seen here having a light moment with UNP Pparliamentarians Sajith Premadasa and Dayasiri Jayasekara before a meeting with UNP Provincial Council members. Pic by Indraratane Balasuriya

Trained to save

The picture shows Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa presenting an Emergency Medical Technician certificate to an officer of the Police Life Saving Unit at an event held last evening at the Defence Ministry. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana    

Book donation

A book donation ceremony was held today with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and Minister of Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara present at the event

Aviation conference

People attend the Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE) fair at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo August 11, 2011. More than 16,000 visitors are expected to attend the event which runs from August 11 to 13, according to a press statement. REUTERS

Strange items in America's Attic

It's been 165 years since US Congress passed an act to establish the Smithsonian Institution Dubbed the "Nation's Attic" (or "America's Attic"), it has since become a prolific entity and even inspired a popular movie.  Here is a look at some of the more eccentric items collected by the Smithsonian, many of which are currently on view.

In search of loved ones

Families of youth who disappeared during the conflict in the North and East staged a protest at Lipton Circus today urging the government to release information about their whereabouts, to take action in finding the disappeared youth and to release a list of the names without delay. Pix by Samantha Perera