“Santa Fun Run”

More than 1,000 people dressed up as Santa Claus sit together on the steps of the Sydney Opera House after finishing the annual “Santa Fun Run” for charity on November 28, 2010. More than 1,500 Santas were expected to suit up and take part in the race around Sydney Harbour to raise money for disabled and disadvantaged children. AFP

Monkey Buffet

A long-tailed macaque eats food at the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple during the annual Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi, 150km (94 miles) north of Bangkok, November 28, 2010. The festival provides food and drinks to the local monkey population, which numbers more than 2,000, to thank them for drawing tourists to the town. REUTERS

Zardari meets MR

Visiting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari met President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat. Four agreements were signed between the two countries following the discussion. Pic Kushan Pathiraja

Carlton Sevens

Action at the quarter final of the Bowls trophy in the Sri Lankan Carlton Sevens rugby tournament at the Sugathadasa stadium in Colombo today between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Elections ahead

Sri Lankan U.N. soldiers load electoral material in a truck to be distributed in the town of Leogane. Sunday's presidential and legislative elections are going ahead despite the huge challenges of holding a nationwide poll in the Western Hemisphere's poorest state. Haiti, its infrastructure already weak, is recovering from a devastating earthquake in January and battling a worsening cholera epidemic that has already killed 2,000 people. R

Halt exercise !

A protester holds a sign at a rally demanding to halt the joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea, outside a U.S. naval base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, November 28, 2010. North Korea has placed surface-to-surface missiles on launch pads in the Yellow Sea, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday, as the United States and South Korea began joint military exercises. The sign reads,'go back nuclear-powered carrier U

Away from the artillery

A stray puppy looks outside from its shelter after its owner left to escape from North Korea's artillery attacks at a village on Yeonpyeong Island November 27, 2010.  REUTERS

Tractors for the farmers

The Indian Government donated 500 tractors to the Northern Province farmers through Agrarian service centers today. The picture shows Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on one of the tractors donated by India while Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna looks on. Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya

Our very own Cardinal

The Archbishop of Colombo to the Roman Catholic Church, His Eminence Dr. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjit is seen here being greeted by Prime Minster D.M Jayaratne after his arrival in the island this morning. Pix by Romesh Danushka

Signs of the season

A horse stands in a meadow covered in freshly-fallen snow in Phalsbourg, north eastern France, as winter weather hits the region November 26, 2010. REUTERS

President meets TPF delegation

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with the 16 - member delegation of the TPF at Temple Trees today. Picture shows, Presidnet Rajapaksa reading the memorandum submitted by the Tamil Parties’ Forum (TPF). Also seen in the picture is Mr.Chelvanayakam Chandrahasan and Minister Douglas Devananda. Pics from Presidential Media Unit

MR meets Krishna

Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House this morning, where a Credit Agreement for USD 416 million for the construction of the Northern Railway line was signed between the two nations. (Pix by Sudath Silva)

Hi Mom!

U.S. astronaut Doug Wheelock shows a “Hi Mom!” sign after landing near the town of Arkalyk in northern Kazakhstan November 26, 2010. The Soyuz TMA-19 spacecraft with commander Fyodor Yurichikhin and NASA's Wheelock and Shannon Walker landed safely in Kazakhstan on Friday.  REUTERS

“Christkindelsmarik”

A man puts the final touch on an illuminated decoration for his chalet on November 25, 2010 in front of Strasbourg cathedral, eastern France, two days before the opening of the famous Christmas market. Two million visitors are to attend the famous “Christkindelsmarik”. AFP

Q400 assembly line

A Bombardier q400 airplane is seen being assembled at the Bombardier aircraft manufacturing facility in Toronto, November 25, 2010. Bombardier Inc said on Thursday production of its new C-Series airliner is on schedule and that it is pleased with the progress that United Technologies unit Pratt and Whitney is making on the plane's engine. REUTERS

Remains of soldiers!

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Preparing for a journey

International Space Station (ISS) crew members NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman, Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratiev and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Paolo Angelo Nespoli pose in front of the Soyuz TM landing capsule at the Star City space centre outside Moscow November 25, 2010. The crew is due to travel by Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station in December. REUTERS

Addressing discrepancies

Senior members of the United National Party addressed several of it’s working committee members about the discrepancies in the 2011 budget proposals. Seen here are the leaders addressing the gathering. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Celebrating a milestone

The Sri Lanka Navy, who will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee celebration on December 09, conducted a press conference today about future initiatives and responsibilities that it intends to carry out in the Indian Ocean. Seen in the picture is Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe addressing the media at a briefing held at the Navy Headquarters. Pic By Kushan Pathiraja

Waiting for the moment

Minister Susil Premajayatha officially resumed his duties as Minister of Petroleum today at the Ministry’s office in Flower Road. Seen in the picture is the Minister waiting for the auspicious to sign his letter of re-appointment. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Anniversary celebration

The 15th anniversary of the Combat Helicopter Squadron 9 of Sri Lanka Air Force was celebrated yesterday at the Hinguraggoda Air Force Base. Floral tributes were paid to the 26 Air Force officers who laid down their life during the North – East war.  Actg. Commanding Officer of the Hinguraggoda Air Force Base Wing Commander K.S.N. Perera was the chief guest at the ceremony.  The picture shows a demonstration of a group of airmen

Rain breaks away road

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Say no to charter amendments

Yellow shirt supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) gather during a rally outside the Parliament in Bangkok November 25, 2010. Thailand's pro-establishment “yellow shirt” protesters gathered outside parliament on Thursday in a symbolic rebuke against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over reforms they say would worsen a five-year political crisis.  REUTERS

Paying their respects

Cambodians burn incense sticks as they pay their respects to the 456 people killed in a stampede on a bridge on November 22, on a national day of mourning in Phnom Penh  November 25, 2010. REUTERS

Cormorant Strike

Soldiers are seen here taking part in the Sri Lankan military exercise called Cormorant Strike in the northern town of Mannar today. Over 2500 troops drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the nine-day long exercise, which involves amphibious landings followed by operations on land under simulated combat action. Pix by Samantha Perera

Free Udul…

A protest was held by the Indigenous Medicine Students Committee today calling for the release of the IUSF Convener Udul Premarathne. The picture shows student protesters taking part in the protest this afternoon. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Fallen Jumbo

A tusker, who was being transported by the Wildlife Department to be released, died after the bottom of the lorry the elephant was being transported broke and the leg of the elephant got stuck suffocating the tusker. Several attempts made to free the elephant by the officials were unsuccessful. Pix by Hiran Priyankara  

ATP world tour finals

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns the ball to Great Britain's Andy Murray (not pictured), during their singles tennis match, on the third day of the ATP World Tour Finals, at the O2, in south-east London on November 23, 2010. Federer was in sublime form as he moved closer to a place in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Murray. AFP

“Around the World”

An artist gives the final touch to a sculpture depicting Hindu elephant god Ganesh made out of a block of ice at the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival under the theme “Around the World”,  in Bruges. The festival will be held from November 26 to January 16, 2011. REUTERS

Road race winner

Hsiao Mei Yu of Taiwan celebrates after winning the cycling women's individual road race event at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 23, 2010.  Hsiao won the gold medal with Santia Tri Kusuma of Indonesia the silver and Zhao Na of China with the bronze medals.  AFP