Discussing Lanka

India’s Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram is seen here in conversation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at his residence where they discussed issues relating to the Sri Lankan Tamils prior to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India tomorrow. Photo Courtesy DIPR

US Celebrates July 4th

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attend the taping of “America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre,” a gala honoring South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and South African Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs,” at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, June 6, 2010. The annual event, held at the theater where former US President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot, featured singer Kelly Clarks

In a pensive mood

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And the winner is

The Indian International Film Awards (IIFA) was held in Colombo, Saturday, with the best of Bollywood gracing the occasion. Picture shows some of the top Indian stars arriving for the awards show. (AFP pics)

Stars galore

Indian bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranaut and Irrfan Khan attend a press conference for the new film “Knock Out”, during the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards event in Colombo on June 5, 2010. Megastar Aamir Khan's hit movie “3 Idiots” is set to sweep the board at the “Bollywood Oscars” in Sri Lanka this weekend, after scooping a string of awards in the technical categories. AFP

Chief Minister’s birthday

The final day of the "27th Chief Ministers Conference" was held in Marawila today. Picture shows Chief Minister of the North Western Province, Athula Wijesighe serving milk rice to Shamindra Rajapaksa, the youngest son of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa at the conference in light of his birthday falling on the final day of the 27th conference. Pix by Jude Samantha

Greeting a Star

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family hosted the Bollywood stars in town for the IIFA awards, at Temple Trees this morning. Picture shows actor Anil Kapoor greeting President Rajapaksa and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Pic by Sudath Silva

Protecting our environment

A workshop to celebrate “Environment Day” was organized by the Department of Forest Conservation in Kurunagala this morning. Around 150 students from eleven schools in the area participated in the workshop. The picture shows some of the students taking part. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi 

New graduates

Picture shows a graduating ceremony held in Vavuniya today for over 200 army trainee soldiers. Pics by Romesh Madushanka

IIFA city at night

The city of Colombo was transformed last night decorated and lit up for the 'night of nights' today as Bollywood’s best take centre stage at the IIFA Indian movie awards. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachi

Greeting the fans

Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan is seen here being driven around the SSC grounds with MP Namal Rajapaksa by his side during the IIFA cricket match in Colombo this evening. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Star studded match

Bollywood actor Aftab Shivdasani is seen here waving at the crowd during the IIFA Twenty20 match which is currently being played at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds.  Pix by Varuna Wanniarachi

IIFA fashions

Indian Bollywood took the ramp at Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) awards fashion show held at the BMICH in Colombo last night. The stars are seen here walking the green carpet prior to the show.

Stars galore

Bollywood stars gathered in Colombo today to brief the media about the IIFA events which began in the country today. Seen here are the stars posing in front of the cameras. AFP

A pensive moment

The United National Party held a meeting this evening at their Kotte office regarding the party reforms. Seen here is UNP leader Ranil Wickremesighe, MPs Ravi Karunanayake, MP Kabir Hashim and Western Provincial Council member Srilal Lakthilaka at the meeting . Pic By Pradeep Dilrukshan

Staying alive

The Australian version of the world famous band Bee Gees is currently in town for a one off performance. The band is seen here during a photo shoot and rehearsal in Colombo today. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Ayubowan

The Netherlands Ambassador to Sri Lanka Leoni Cuelenaere is seen here greeting Navy officers in Trincomalee before embarking on a visit to the area this morning. Pic by Amadoru Amarageeva

More IIFA stars arrive

Bollywood star Bipasha Basu and several other filmstars arrived in the country yesterday to take part in the IIFA events which will begin in the country from today. More celebrities from the Indian film world are expected to arrive today to participate in the three days of events

Plans for IIFA

The police conducted a press conference today regarding the traffic plans for the up coming IIFA week that will be held in Sri Lanka. Seen here is Police DIG Administration N.K Illangakoon speaking to the media at the conference. Pics. by Pradeep Dilrukshana

From actors to cricketers

As the IIFA events begin in the island from tomorrow, a celebrity cricket match will be played amongst the stars and the Sri Lankan cricketers on Friday for charity. Seen here is Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi posing with Kumar Sangakkara and officials from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and UNICEF. Pix By Waruna Wanniarachchi

Too much opposition

A delegation of the Indian opposition BJP called on opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickramasingha in Colombo today. Picture shows the Indian delegation in talks with the UNP leader. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

The party begins...

IIFA Awards was announced today with a media meeting and later a bajan at Taj Samudra. Pictures shows the bajan recital titled Shri Lanka Ramayana Trails held a while ago at Taj Samudra. Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene and Minister for Resettlement Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan attended the function as chief guests. Pix by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Chennai celebrates Vesak

Sri Lankan dancers took to the streets of Chennai in a colorful Vesak Perahera organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana 

Bollywood in Lanka

The cream of Bollywood has begun to pour into Sri Lanka to attend the IIFA Awards this week. Picture shows Sri Lankan born Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez in conversation with Indian actor Vivek Oberoi at a function in Colombo this evening. Pic by Indraratna Balasuriya

IIFA Express

A policeman stands guard near the ‘Airport Express’ train which was launched today at the BIA just a day before Bollywood stars start arriving in the country to attend the IIFA which will be held in the island from Thursday to Saturday. Pics By Kithsiri De Mel 

Marking their land

People displaced by the fighting in the north continue to return home, one year after the war ended. Picture shows a group of returnees marking land in Mannar which once belonged to them. Pic by Hiran Jayasingha

Thai Prime Minister in Bangkok

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks with the media upon his arrival at the Parliament in Bangkok June 1, 2010. Abhisit is facing a no-confidence motion submitted by the parliamentary opposition for the current administration's suppression of a two-month protest that left at least 85 dead, according to local media. REUTERS

Getting ready for the big night

IIFA event organising staff are seen here testing lights and setting up the stage for the awards which are scheduled to be held from June 3 to 5. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Talks on progress

French Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Christine Robichon met with officials on a visit to the East where issues including development, reconstruction and political progress were discussed.

Running the sport

Sri Lanka cricket officials, the captain of the cricket team and the new chairman of selectors Aravinda de Silva are seen here together with sports Minister C.B Ratnayaka, ready to face the media on the future of Sri Lanka cricket. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi