Religious ceremonies for SF

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Sent by President’s media

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Natural History Museum in New York with H.E.Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa,Sept.23,2010. (Photo-White House)

Air biker

Adam Jones of the U.S. performs during the finals of the Red Bull X-Fighters 2010 World Tour freestyle motorcross event, in Rome. REUTERS

Tiger watch

U.S. Ryder Cup player Tiger Woods waits to play his shot on the fifth hole during foursomes play on the second day of the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Newport, south Wales. REUTERS

A traditional welcome

A performer holds a plate during the Australian team's flag-raising ceremony at the Commonwealth Games athletes' village in Delhi October 2, 2010.     REUTERS

Blessing of the pets

Father Adonis Mamuyac sprinkles holy water on Shih Tzu dogs during the blessing of the pets to commemorate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment, in San Juan City, Metro Manila October 2, 2010.   REUTERS

Perfect focus

A photo exhibition by Yongqin Liu a Chinese journalist under the theme “Sri Lanka My Love” was held at the Galle Face Hotel this evening. The picture shows Minister of Economics Basil Rajapaksa examining a picture of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his brother at the exhibition. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana  

Chanting slogans

The JVP launched a protest campaign in Kadawatte today demanding the immediate release of former army commander Sarath Fonseka. The picture shows protesters chanting slogans during the protest. Pix by Chathuranga Chandrasekara

Blessings for the flags

The traditional flag blessing ritual of the Sri Lanka Army was held today at the Sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura.  The flag blessing ceremony was organized to coincide with the 61st anniversary of the Sri Lankan Army which falls on the 10th of October. Over 480 flags belonging to various divisions of the Army was blessed in this manner. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Floating chopper

A U.N. relief helicopter is seen submerged in floodwater following a crash in Manchar Lake by Lakha village, in a flood-affected area near Dadu district, Pakistan's Sindh province October 2, 2010.  The helicopter crashed early Friday morning, injuring seven people, a U.N. official said.  REUTERS

“My Dream”

Dancers from China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe perform during their show called “My Dream” at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia October 1, 2010.  REUTERS

Parahawking

Peruvian Stanley Yep raises his arm up waiting for his red-backed hawk at a paragliding park in Lima. Yep trains his birds to do parahawking, where the birds fly with paragliders and guide them to the thermals. REUTERS

Tears for a General

A tearful Mrs. Fonseka comes out of the Welikada prison complex carrying the national dress which the DNA MP Sarath Fonseka was clad in when he was brought to the prison. She was visiting her husband for the first time since he was transferred to the prison last night. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Age demands action

A ‘Help Age Walk’ under the theme “Age Demands Action” was organized by Help Age Sri Lanka to celebrate ‘World Elders Day’ today. The picture shows senior citizens taking part in the walk this afternoon. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Little artists

A special exhibition was organized by the police department at the Lakvidhu pre-School for street children in Borella to celebrate World Children’s Day today. The picture shows some of the students of the school during the art exhibition. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Heading for the games

Volunteers hold the Queen's Baton during the Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay at the India Gate in New Delhi October 1, 2010. REUTERS

Talking about Fonseka

The JVP addressing a press briefing today stated that the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Human Rights Committee is to schedule to discuss the imprisonment of DNA Leader Sarath Fonseka tomorrow.  The picture shows JVP leader Somaweera answering a question posed by a journalist during the media briefing. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

National day

A policeman patrols outside the Chinese Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo site in Shanghai October 1, 2010. China celebrates its National Day on Friday. REUTERS

Celebrating their day

A parade to mark the ‘International Children’s Day’ was organized by the Sujatha Balika Maha Vidyalaya in Matara today. The picture shows preschool students taking part in the children’s parade. Pix by Krishan Jayaruk

Away from IT

Children take a ride around the block in a horse-pulled cart in Havana September 30, 2010. Cubans remain extraordinarily isolated from information technology, with only 2.9 percent reporting regular use of the Internet and 5.8 percent regular use of e-mail, according to a government survey released on Thursday. Cuba's failure to embrace modern telecommunications is a major complaint among citizens under 50 years old, who cite it as one of t

World Elders’ day

As the world is gearing to mark ‘World Elders’ Day’ today it seems that it is not a special day for some elderly people as some have to work and others to beg. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Waiting at Welikada

Anoma Fonseka, wife of MP Sarath Fonseka waiting in front of the Welikada prison for the arrival of her husband who has been sentenced for  two and half years.  Pics. by Kushan Pathiraja

A day of gloom

Anoma Fonseka, wife of former Army Commander and DNA seniors, clad in black, at today’s media briefing. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Developing Hambantota

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksha and Chairman of the Hambantota District Development Committee (DDC) Namal Rajapaksa in conversation at the District Development Committee Meeting at the Singapore Hall in Hambantota. Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya

Living legend

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro attends a meeting for the 50th Anniversary of the Committees of Defense of the Revolution (CDR) in Havana. AFP

JVP for China

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe speaking at the ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association at the New Town Hall today to mark the national day of China. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Jobs for ex-detainees

A job market was held at the Pompemabu LTTE detainers’ rehabilitation camp in Vavuniya today, to help the ex-detainees find employment. The job market was organized by the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms.  Pics by Romesh Madushanka

President is Back

President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to the island today following his visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly.

Sporty Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama visits the La Follette High School football team in Madison, Wisconsin, September. REUTERS

Floods

School children try to make their way through a flooded road in Elpitiya this morning following heavy rains that led to floods in the area. Pic by Sumangala Pushpakumara-Pitigala