Taking the curve

Italy's Davide Simoncelli competes in the first run of the FIS World Cup Alpine Men's Giant Slalom on December 11, 2010, in Val-d'Isere, French Alps. AFP PHOTO

Putin plays piano

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin plays piano during a charity concert in Saint Petersburg on December. AFP PHOTO

Taking their seats

A UNP press briefing was held today in Colombo regarding the UNP convention scheduled for tomorrow. The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya taking their seats during the media briefing. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachi

Nobel confusion

This picture taken on December 10, 2010 shows an exhibition at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo highlighting this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Liu Xiaobo, next to a portrait of last year winner US President Barack Obama, a few hours before its opening. Confusion over which countries would attend the peace prize ceremony for jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo grew Friday just hours before the event with organisers adding more names to the

Out on bail

The Inter University Students Federation Convener Udul Premaratna was released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate on the direction of the High court on today. Udul Premaratna is seen here leaving the Court premises after reciving bail. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest against favoritism

The All Employees Union of Telecommunication and Information (AEUTI), staged a protest threatening to strike at the end of two weeks if the alleged corruption and favoration within the Sri Lanka Telecom did not stop.  Seen here are employees of Sri Lanka Telecom at the protest. Pic By Pradeep Pathirana

Coconuts at cheaper rate

The Coconut Cultivation Board is selling coconuts at a lower rate to consumers, as much as five coconuts for Rs. 150. Here consumers are purchasing Coconuts from a CCB lorry outside its office in Battaramulla today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Iranamadu spills

The flood gates of the Iranamadu dam, in the Vavuniya District are being opened due to the excessive rainfall in various parts of the island. Pics by Romesh Madushanka

Freezing protest

Balkar men, dressed in national clothes, sit during a heavy snowfall as they take part in a protest rally in central Moscow, December 9, 2010. Six Balkar activists from Russia's North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria have held more than a five-month long rally by the Kremlin wall to protest against the policies of authorities in their native region, which, in their opinion, infringe upon their people's rights, local media reporte

Presidential colours for Navy

President Mahinda Rajapaksa awards Presidential colour to Afloat command, Northern and Eastern commands for their exceptional service on the day of the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy. Pics. by Pradeep Pathirana

The world's best known

Cardboard versions of New York's Statue of Liberty, the Sydney Opera House, Paris' Eiffel Tower, Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer, London's Big Ben, Cairo's Great Pyramid of Giza,  Mexico's Angel of Independence, Agra's Taj Mahal and Beijing's Temple of Heaven stand in the ocean at the Gaviota Azul beach in Cancun December 8, 2010. Greenpeace staged a performance sinking the world's best known landma

Sathyagraha at J’pura uni

The students of the Jayawardenapura University commenced a continuous Sathyagraha campaign today urging the authorities to provide immediate solutions to several issues which the students are facing. pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Students demand Udul’s release

Students of the Institute of Indigenous Medical Institute, Colombo protested at the Ayurveda roundabout, urging the government to grant bail for the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) Convener, Udul Premaratne. Increasing  the Mahopola scholarship allocations and cracking down bogus educational institutions were among their other demands. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Paramedics on strike

The Paramedical Services Front (PMSF) conducted a protest campaign in front of the Health Ministry in an attempt to push the government to fulfill their demands. Seen here are paramedical staff shouting out slogans and alleging that the ministry was deliberately postponing the demands that they had agreed to fulfill. Pic By Nisal Baduge   

A peace offering

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi offers a yellow robe to a Buddhist monk in front of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party's headquarters in Yangon December 8, 2010. REUTERS

New generation

A model of the Chinese high-speed train on display at the 7th World Congress on High Speed Rail in Beijing on December 7, 2010.  China is rapidly expanding and upgrading its railway network amid increased pressures on its transportation system, with plans to have 120,000 kilometres of track by 2020, and spending about 120 billion USD to nearly double the country's high-speed rail network by 2012. AFP

Aurora

Aurora, a ten-month-old female polar bear, shakes off snow at the Royev Ruchey Zoo in Russia's Siberian city of  Krasnoyarsk December 7, 2010. Aurora is one of two female wild polar bear cubs which were found in Russia's Taimyr Peninsula on the coast of the Arctic Ocean in early May and were later housed in Krasnoyarsk zoo. REUTERS

High-street fashion

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The third Commercial High Court

The third Commercial High Court in the country was declared open by Chief Justice Asoka de Silva today. Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem, Chief Justice Asoka de Silva  and President of the Bar Association Mr. Shibly Aziz is seen here lighting the oil lamp at the opening event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Not deterred by rain

A laborer is seen here going about his work to make his daily living in Colombo undeterred by the heavy showers being experienced in and around Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

An emotional meeting

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi walks with her son Kim Aris as he leaves Yangon December 7, 2010. Aris, the younger of two sons of Suu Kyi and her late husband British academic Michael Aris, visited his mother for the first time in ten years after she was released from the house arrest in November. REUTERS

“Silent Evolution”

TckTckTck partners, Greenpeace and 350.org stage an underwater installation called “Silent Evolution” in Cancun, Mexico, December 6, 2010. They are calling for urgent action on the environment during the UN Cancun climate talks. REUTERS

More rain today

Many parts of the island will experience heavy showers in the afternoon and evening while strong localized winds will also occur in some parts, the Meteorological Department told Daily Mirror online. The latest Satellite image taken on 06-Dec-2010 at 18:36. Picture courtesy nrlmry.navy

Welcome!

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Snow Grand Prix

Austria's Harald Manzl of Team Goassstall rides a snow mobile during the Swatch Snow Mobile grand prix event in Saalbach Hinterglemm December 5, 2010. The event, now in its fourth year, attracts professional snow mobile riders and sports and entertainment personalities to compete in the races through the heart of the ski resort town on an 850 metre track. REUTERS

Court and back

Former army commander Sarath Fonseka is seen here leaving the court premises after the Supreme Court today re-fixed the hearing on the validity of the Court Martial against him to December 9th. Pix by Waruna Wanniaarchi

Demanding a pay hike

The All Ceylon Health Services Union held a protest in front of the Colombo General Hospital today demanding a Rs. 9000 pay hike. The picture shows union protestors shouting slogans during the protest. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

Earth

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) activists light candles representing the earth as they demonstrate on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference COP16 in Cancun December. The conference in Cancun have far lower ambitions than last year's Copenhagen summit, which fell short of an all-encompassing deal to help slow floods, droughts, heatwaves and rising sea levels. REUTERS

“Mototaxi”

A three-wheeled taxi vehicle, or “mototaxi”, jumps during a race against the clock on the outskirts of Lima December 5, 2010. Ninety-six drivers of three-wheeled taxis participated in a competition for the fastest driver around a 1km (0.62 miles) circuit. REUTERS

King's birthday

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (front R) speaks during a ceremony to celebrate the 83rd birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace in Bangkok December 5, 2010.   REUTERS