Downhill

Skiers compete during the women's 15km freestyle World Cup race on December 18, 2010 in La Clusaz, French Alps. Norway's skier Marit Bjoergen won the event ahead of Polish skier Justyna Kowalczyk and Norwegian Kristin Steira. AFP PHOTO

“Doctor fish”

Customers rest their feet in a tank containing “doctor fish” at a “fish spa” inside a shopping mall in Singapore December 18, 2010. The “fish spa” consists of shallow tanks of Garra Rufa fish.  The fish exfoliate feet by eating away dead skin, according to the spa company. REUTERS

Chopstick tree

A child looks at a tree made from disposable chopsticks during a public campaign held by Greenpeace outside a shopping mall in Beijing December 18, 2010. Four trees made from more than 80,000 pairs of disposable chopsticks were on display during the event aimed at awakening people's forest conservation awareness, according to the organizer. REUTERS

"Toys for Tots"

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama sorts toys as she visits the Toys for Tots distribution center at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington. Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps reserve that has distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children over the past 62 years.  REUTERS

Checkmate

Visitors look at  the “1812” chess set, which depicts Napoleon Bonaparte  and his ''marechaux'' displayed at an exhibition in the Ethnographic museum  in St.Petersburg, in December 2010. The set chess pieces, made of white and black jade, golden and silver details decorated with 6700 diamonds, 9400 rubies and 3200 sapphires, depict prominent participants of the 1812 war including Napoleon Bonaparte, h

The last show

Larry King sits down during the final broadcast of “Larry King Live” at the Los Angeles studio December 16, 2010. Larry King, the gruff CNN personality whose non-confrontational interviews were a hit with newsmakers and viewers for 25 years, signed off at the cable news channel on Thursday with a series of reminiscences from big names, old pals and family members. REUTERS

Coconuts for Christmas

The Coconut Development Authority (CDA) today distributed coconuts for Rs. 30 for the Christmas season. The picture shows a family in Mutwal after they purchased several coconuts from the CDA. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Santa underwater

A diver dressed in Santa Claus outfit feeds fish at Siam Ocean World during the Christmas season in Bangkok, December 17, 2010. REUTERS

5,000 rupee coin

A Central Bank employee holds up a commerative 5,000 rupee (45 dollar) gold plated coin issued to mark the bank's 60th anniversary in Colombo. AFP PHOTO

Any suggestions?

Sri Lanka’s second newly- born baby Orangutan, born after a lapse of 28 years, was introduced to the public today, who had an opportunity to propose a name for him. A suggestions box for this purpose has been placed at the Dehiwela zoo. Pics by Samantha Perera

Air Force to the rescue

An employee of the Central Bank is being rescued and taken down to the basement by an Airman during a fire drill organized by the Fire and Rescue Unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force in collaboration with the Fire Brigade at the Central Bank complex which was held this morning. Pic By Kushan Pathiraja

Artistic protest for development

3,000 wooden crosses are placed in front of the Austrian Parliament in a silent protest against the slashing of Austrian budget for development aid in Vienna, December 2010. REUTERS

Observing the ranks

The 55th anniversary of the Armored Corps of Sri Lanka Army was held today at the SLAC Regimental Centre, Rock House, Mutuwal. Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was the chief guest at the ceremony. Pix  by Indraratne Balasuriya

Proud to be a military policeman

Potential candidates for the Military Police of the Sri Lanka Army line up outside the Polhengoda Military Police Headquarters for interviews. The Military Police will be recruiting till the December 18 to enlist 150 personnel. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Christmas lights

Christmas lights are seen on a house in Dalton, northern England December 2010. REUTERS

“Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”

Students perform the Christmas song “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” during a school event in Manila December 14, 2010.  REUTERS

“The Art of Making Kings”

“The Art of Making Kings - Political Communication” a book by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon was launched today. The picture shows UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, DNA MP Vijitha Hearth and Democratic People's Fron. Leader, Mano Ganesan at the book launch. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Voting for the proposals

The Inter Company Employees Union (ICEU) conducted the 12th convention of the Union at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium today. Seen here are members of the Union voting for the proposals put forward by the Executive Committee of the Union. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Sri Maha Bodhi sapling in Yangon‏

A handing over ceremony of sacred Bo saplings was held at the Nyaungdone Monastery on December by 90 member Sri Lankan pilgrimage group led by the chief monk Rev. Assaji Thero.  Bo sapling that was brought by the group was presented to the Chief Syadaw Bhadantha Thawbana of the Nyaungdone Monastery by Nirmala Paranavitana,    Charge d ‘ Affairs of the Embassy of Sri Lanka.  Myanmar monks from other monasteries in Ya

Happy Christmas

A sea lion, wearing reindeer antlers, stands with a trainer (L) in reindeer costume during a show at the Aqua Stadium aquarium at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo on December 13, 2010. Visitors can view the Christmas special show, which will be held through to Christmas Day. AFP

“The Silent Evolution”

Figures are seen in underwater sculpture installation “The Silent Evolution” by British artist Jason de Caires Taylor between Cancun and Isla Mujeres December 11, 2010. Taylor used 'life casts' made from materials that encourage coral growth to build the installation on the sea bed off the coast of Cancun. The installation will form a new home for a variety of aquatic creatures at the Cancun and Isla Mujeres National Marine Pa

A fishy christmas

An aquarium trainer in a Santa Claus costume is pushed out of the water by bottle-nose dolphins during a show at the Aqua Stadium aquarium at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo on December 13, 2010.  Visitors can view the Christmas special show, which will be held through to Christmas Day. AFP

Exam done

The GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination commenced island wide today. The picture shows students who completed today’s examination leaving an exam center in Colombo.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

UNP media briefings

Two UNP press briefing were held today one headed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the other by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa. UNP leader Wickremesinghe stated that he had done his duty by passing the new UNP constitution, while UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that MP Sajith Premadasa will be appointed as the leader of the UNP soon. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana & Kithsiri De Mel

From guns to O/Ls

173 rehabilitated child LTTE cadres from the North sat for the GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination which is currently being held island wide. The picture shows some of the students taking part in the examination. By Romesh Madushanka

Merry Christmas from the Obamas

U.S. President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama, their daughters Malia and Sasha and the mother of Michelle Obama, Marian Robinson, pose with children dressed as elves at the the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 12, 2010. REUTERS

A gift from the First Lady

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa distributed Christmas gifts at the Cancer hospital in Maharagma today. The picture shows First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa presenting a gift to one of the elderly patients receiving treatment at the Maharagma Cancer hospital. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A new direction

The new UNP Constitution was adopted at the UNP convention this morning. The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe pointing at the direction of Hambantota UNP MP Sajith Premadasa during the UNP convention. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

“Anonymous”

WikiLeaks supporters wear masks of the “Anonymous” internet activist group and a mask of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (R) during a demonstration calling for the release of Assange, in Malaga, southern Spain. The WikiLeaks website has released a trove of U.S. State Department cables exposing the inner workings of American diplomacy, including candid and embarrassing assessments of world leaders. REUTERS

Keeping warm

Stray dogs sit in the snow with the air temperature at about minus 35 degrees Celsius (-31 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk December, 2010. REUTERS