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

From one chief to another

The Indian Army Chief, General Vijay Kumar Singh is seen presenting Chief of Defense Staff Roshan Goonetileke who he met today, with a memento.  Singh had also met with Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Pradeep Pathirana 

The funny side

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara is seen here in a joyful mood while party Leader Ranil Wickramasingha seems to be feeling the effects of the internal crisis within the UNP. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Saluting ties

Indian Army Chief General Vijay Kumar Singh who arrived in the island yesterday is seen here being accorded a guard of honor during a visit to the Army Headquarters today. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Back home

Abused Sri Lankan maid LP Ariyawathie is seen here been given a helping hand back home at her village while still recovering from surgery to remove nails from various parts of her body. Pics by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Sharing thoughts

Indian Army Chief General Vijay Kumar Singh, who arrived in the island today on a five day visit, is seen here in conversation with Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Pic By Pradeep Dilruckshana

Dancing with fire

Fire dancers, dancers, Kandyan drummers and other acts took part in the massive annual Kotte Rajama Vihara temple Perehera which was held last evening. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Starting over

A rehabilitated former LTTE cadre is reunited with his mother by Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Deputy Minister Vijth Wijayamuni de Soyza at a function in Vavuniya. Pics by Romesh Madushanka

A delightful evening

Children and adults are seen here enjoying their evening at the Nilaweli beach. Students from the south have also arrived at the east coast to spend their vacation. Pic Amadoru Amarajeeva

Play time

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here getting ready to bat at the inauguration of the indoor stadium build by Sri Lanka Cricket at Badulla today. Pic by Sudath Silva

Cooling down

An elephant at the Kotte Rajamaha vihara temple is seen here trying to get some shade from the sun as it prepares for its big night later this evening during the annual Kotte Rajamaha perahera. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Flower power

People look at a floral carpet made of begonias at Prague's historical Old Town Square. The floral display, a gift from the Belgian embassy to the city, marked Belgium's European Union presidency and was created by Belgian architect Marc Schautteet using with some 150,000 flowers. REUTERS

Taking a tour

The opening ceremony of the transit home for the outpatients of the National Cancer Hospital was held today. The picture shows Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena taking a tour of the newly built transit home. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel 

Remembering the fallen

The 144th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Police Force was celebrated at the Katukurunda police training school today. The picture shows a mother of a fallen police officer placing flowers during the remembrance ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Let’s go

UNP MPs Mangala Samaraweera and Ruwan Wijewardena are seen here in all smiles as they prepare to exit after briefing the media in Colombo today. During the briefing, Samaraweera accused the President of heading towards a dictatorship. Pics By Kushan Pathiraja

Consulting

JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasingha is seen here having a private discussion with JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva during a media briefing in Colombo today. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Fire takes its toll

A two storied business establishment and a hotel in front of the Medawachchiya town were gutted following a fire this morning. The fire brigade of the Anuradhapura Municipal Council doused the fire with the help of the Anuradhapura police and the Navy. A police officer is seen here standing guard near the damaged building. Pic by Athula Bandara