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

Appearing in court

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka appeared at the Supreme Court in the latest hearing in the white flag case held today. Seen here is Fonseka being escorted by Prisons officials to court.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ex LTTEers celebrate Women’s Day

Former LTTE women cadres, now being rehabilitated under the supervision of the security forces, celebrated International Women’s Day at the Vavuniya UC Park in the grand way. A stage play they performed portraying the discrimination of women was the main highlight of the ceremony.  Pix by Romesh Madusanka

Campaigning on women’s day

A child holding flowers walks near her mother during a demonstration to mark International Women's Day in Lima, March 2011. REUTERS

Vovinam

Indian Muslim schoolgirls perform “Vovinam”, the Vietnamese martial art at Saint Maaz High School in Hyderabad on March 8, 2011, on the occasion of the International Women's Day. Some 40 students encouraged by their parents and school officials are learning the art of self defence by using swords and sticks during school hours. This year is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day since its creation. AFP

Ketagoda meets SF in Prison

Newly sworn-in DNA MP Jayantha Ketagoda visited former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka at the Welikada prison after taking oaths as a Member of Parliament today. The Parliamentary seat was made vacant due to the imprisonment of Fonseka. Here MP Ketagoda is seen speaking to the media in front of the Prisons Headquarters. Pics by Pradeep Parthirana

Demanding price reductions

The “Women’s Movement for Freedom” held a protest in front of the Fort Railway station today to mark the International Women’s Day.  The protestors demanded the reduction of prices of commodities and the high cost of living. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Hermit crabs

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Exercising their franchise

Postal voting is currently underway for the upcoming Local Government elections.  The picture shows security personnel and other government officials in Vavuniya, Matara, Colombo and Galle exercising their franchise. Pix by Romesh Madushanka, Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk, Pradeep Dilrukshana & Samantha Perera

King Kong in Rio

Revelers of the Salgueiro samba school participate in the second night of the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome March 7, 2011.    REUTERS

Celebrating International Women's Day

The National Ceremony to celebrate the International Women's Day was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium this afternoon. The picture shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa being given a memento at the event. Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya

Good governance

The National Bikkhu Front today called on the government to change over to good governance to mark the 2600 Sambuddha Jayantiya and ease the burden borne by the people with the high cost of living. The picture shows Chief Patron of the National Bikkhu Front, Ven Atthanagne Raranapala Thera addressing the media. Pix by Nisal Baduge