Some tea..

The Embassy of Japan and the Japanese Teacher’s Association of Sri Lanka has organized a Japanese Cultural Exhibition on the 11th and 12th of September. The picture shows a traditional tea ceremony being performed at the first day of the exhibition.  Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

The old way

While washing machines are common in the West and even here in Sri Lanka, there are still those who operate laundries the old fashioned way. Staff of a laundry in Colombo are seen here washing clothes using their hands and feet, at times resulting in them falling sick. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

A fragile tribute

People walk near a sand sculpture of New York's World Trade Centre's twin towers created by the Indian sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik on the eve of the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, at the Golden Beach in Puri, about 70 km (43 miles) east of India's state of Oriss. REUTERS

A stroll on the beach

Muslims around the country celebrated Eid ul-Fitr today. The picture shows people strolling down Galle Face green this evening relaxing on a public holiday.  Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi

A flower for the President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Katharagama today and took part in several religious activities. The picture shows the President being given a flower by a child during his visit to the Katharagama temple. Pix by Nalin Hewapathirana

Eid greetings

Muslims gathered at Galle face green in Colombo today to attend Eid prayers as the holy fasting month of Ramadan came to an end. Picture shows a Maulavi greeting some of the children after the prayers. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel 

Preparing for Ramazan

Muslim women are seen here buying material at the Ramazan Bazaar held at Barber Street, Colombo 13 in preparation for Eid Ul Fitr. Pic Samantha Perera

A day’s work

DNA MPs Arjuna Ranatunge and Vijitha Herath are seen here leaving the Supreme Court today after they filed a fundamental rights petition. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

Seeking Gods wrath

UNP supporters who had cast their votes for UNP MP Manusha Nanayakkara at the April Parliamentary Elections dashed coconuts at a temple in Galle today praying to the Gods to punish him. It was at this temple, during the elections that Nanayakkara had vowed before the Gods that he would not leave the UNP. Pics By D.G. Sugathapala

Flying high

UNP Parliamentarian Lakshman Seniviratna, is seen here landing from his helicopter ride at Mahiyanganaya for a public rally. Pic by Bandula Bandaraniyaka

Cleaning the dirt

Now that Mervyn Silva is back to his old position as the Deputy Minister of Highways, employees are seen here cleaning the dirt which had accumulated on his office building during his absence.

One big party

Government supporters light firecrackers to celebrate the passing of the constitutional amendments. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

A good innings

Deputy Minister of Higher Education Nandimithra Ekanayaka is seen walking alongside MP and cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya after today’s parliament session. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

My side of the story

Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Air Force Commander Roshan Gunathilaka look on as Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe testifies before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). Pic Kithsiri de Mel.

In the shadow

A shadow is cast over DNA MP Sarath Fonseka as he prepares to head into a room to address the media at the Parliamentary complex today. Pic by Indraratna Balasuriya

Up in flames

The collar of a police officer catches fire while UNP members and supporters were involved in a standoff during a protest against the 18th Amendment today. Pic by Kushan Pathirajah

Cop in flames

An effigy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here in flames while a group of UNP protestors and the police were involved in a standoff during a protest against the 18th Amendment to the constitution. Pic by Kushan Pathirajah

Women’s power

An elderly supporter of the government is seen here backing the 18th Amendment to the constitution during a demonstration held in Colombo today. Protests were also staged against the amendment. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel & Nisal Baduge

Directing traffic

Former Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva is seen here directing traffic during a demonstration in support of the 18th Amendment to the constitution at Horton Place this morning.

Fit in

A new would be police recruit is seen here being measured during a recruitment drive in Colombo today. Pics By Nisal Baduge

In protest

The JVP held a massive rally today from Ayurveda Junction to the Parliament protesting against the proposed constitutional ammendments. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana  

Whats new

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena and Dullas Alahapperuma are seen here reading a document at an SLFP media briefing. Minister Sarath Amunugama is also seen here. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Discussing Lanka

Visiting Indian Army Chief General V K Singh is seen here in conversation with the Eastern Province governor Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama during a meeting in Trincomalee this evening. Pic by Amadoru Amarageeva

Caught!

Two policemen are seen here escorting back a prisoner to the court premises after he tried to escape from police custody today. The prisoner was caught after a police chase. Pic by Indraratne Balasuriya

Religious observances

Hindu devotees are seen here taking part in religious observances during the Nallur festival in Jaffna today. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Memorising his words

A UNP Provincial Council member is seen here seemingly reading the words on a placard he is about to raise up during a protest staged in Battaramulla today against the 18th Amendment. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Fruits of peace

Thousands of Hindu devotees are seen here participating at the Nallur festival in Jaffna this morning. With the end of the war hundreds of devotees traveled to Jaffna from the South to attend the festival. Pic by N. Parameshwaran

Divine dance

Thousands of Hindu devotees are in Jaffna to attend the annual Nallur Hindu temple festival today. Picture shows an event held in Jaffna last evening as part of the lead up to the main festival today. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Who wants to go first

Tissa Attanayaka, General Secretary gestures to UNP MP’s Ravi Karunanayake and Karu Jayasooriya before signing a common statement put out by several opposition parties and civil groups opposing the 18th Amendment to the constitution. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Judgment time

Suspects accused of assaulting the Additional Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Matara Department branch, M.H Denzil are seen here being escorted to court. Pics by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk