Sculpture of pop star

U.S. artist Daniel Edwards works on his sculpture of pop stars Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez at his home in Moosup, Connecticut August 19, 2011. The sculpture, still a work in progress, has the young couple conjoined at the torso and almost completely nude except for a maple leaf and Texas Star covering Bieber's and Gomez's private parts respectively. REUTERS

Philippine festivals

Students performs a tribal dance during the Kadayawan festival in Davao city, southern Philippines August 20, 2011. The festival is held every third week of August by the people of Davao, who organise harvest celebrations which include parades, tribal dances and trade fairs. REUTERS

The ball under pressure

Argentina's Manu Ginobili dribbles the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Nicolas Borsellini during a friendly international basketball game in Montevideo August 19,2011. REUTERS

Pacific Airlift Rally

The Pacific Air Lift Rally will be held from August 22 to 26 in collaboration with the US Air Force Pacific Air Command and regional air forces to respond to disaster relief and providing humanitarian assistance operations within the region swiftly. Seen here isAir Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama addressing the media about the first major exercise to be conducted in the Lankan airspace. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Action will be taken: Ranil

Ranil Wickremesighe the Leader of the opposition and the leader of the UNP had a meeting with the leaders of Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) leaders at Nawala. He said disciplinary action would be taken against all the reformists if they have acted against the party’s interests. Mr. Wickremesighe is seen here entering the meeting this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Preparing for “Ganesh Chaturthi”

An artisan applies finishing touches to an idol of Hindu elephant god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, at a workshop in Jammu August 19, 2011. Idols of Ganesh are made two to three months before the day of “Ganesh Chaturthi”, a popular religious festival in India. The idols are taken through the streets in a procession accompanied by dancing and singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolising a ritual see-off of his journey

“Construct 2011” at BMICH

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today participated in the opening ceremony of “Construct 2011” the Engineering Exhibition which is now on at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall (BMICH). The picture shows the Chairman of United Tractors Mr. Priyath Fernando handing over a memento to the president. The exhibition will be held till August 21. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi.

In an emergency...

Participants acting as casualties lie on the ground near a subway station entrance awaiting medical treatment during an emergency medical treatment exercise in a mock North Korean Scud missile attack scenario at Seoul City Hall Plaza August 19, 2011. The civil defence drill was conducted as a part of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) military exercise, an annual joint exercise of South Korea and U.S. forces which runs from August 16-26. REUTERS

Dinner in white

People eat as they participate in the White Dinner in Quebec City August 18, 2011. Guests are required to be dressed in white and bring their own food, drink and cutlery. According to the organisers, the event, which was held for the first time in Quebec City, attracted close to 700 people. REUTERS

Is it to be the leader?

A sight to behold. Two elephants were seen battling it out for pleasure as it seems. Herds of elephants flock to the Kalawewa Resevoir to get a sip of the fresh water a commodity that is scarce due to prevailing drought. (Pic by Athula Bandara)

A bird looking through...

Pet bird Xiao Nuo pecks at the flash while perched on the lens of a camera during an interview by local media with its owner in Kunming, Yunnan province, August 18, 2011. The bird is attracted to cameras and will approach and investigate any cameras it sees, according to the owner. REUTERS

A Symposium on post war

An event organised under the theme "Battles won and wars that must still be fought - A symposium on post war Sri Lanka" was held at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies today. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa along with many dignitaries participated in the event. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

‘Tissa’

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in conversation with Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at the launch of the autobiography of UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake titled ‘Tissa’ at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute today.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Protest against VC

A protest was held today at the Sri Jayawardenapura campus urging the immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University. The Inter-University Student Federation organised the protest citing the autocratic and dictatorial rule of the Vice Chancellor. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

KDU Symposium 2011

The KDU Symposium 2011, ‘Challenges of Post Conflict Sri Lanka,’ was organised by the Sir John Kotalawela Defence University. G. L. Peiris, Minster of External Affairs and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary graced the event as Chief Guests this morning. The symposium will be held today and tomorrow. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

“Meeting Bowls”

Tourists sit in the art installation “Meeting Bowls” by the Spanish collaborative mmmm in Times Square in New York August, 2011.  REUTERS

“Antigravity” yoga

Students take part in an “antigravity” yoga class at the Om Factory in New York August 16, 2011. “Antigravity” yoga makes use of hammocks to help practitioners gain greater flexibility, allowing for a wider range of yoga poses, according to the workshop's website. REUTERS

Ramadan in Mecca

Muslims gather around the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque during the Muslim month of Ramadan, in Mecca August 16, 2011. REUTERS

“Every little thing is going to be alright”

The Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickramasinghe and members of the reformists group are seen leaving the party headquarters Sirikotha, after the working committee meeting today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Presenting consumer complaints

The UNP in a press conference today presented the complaints and details it had received from people regarding the recent low-quality petrol that was distributed, to the Colombo Bribery and Corruption Commission.  Seen here are UNP officials at the commission office. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

‘Sathyagraha’ at Viharamahadevi Park

The ‘Sathyagraha’ organized by the reformist UNP MPs was held at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo. The protestors demanded the immediate resignation of the UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Indonesian Independence Day

The Embassy of Indonesia in Colombo today celebrated the eve of the 66th Indonesian Independence Day at the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo. Djafar Husein the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and members of the Indonesian community in Sri Lanka also participated in the flag hoisting ceremony. Pix by Kithsri De Mel

De-mining the mines

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Against corruption

Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva delivered a lecture at the launch of the website "Anticurrupt," held at the Auditorium of the National Library today. The gathering was attended by prominent activist against curroption in the country.

CMC in-searching on unhygienic food

The Colombo Municipal Council conducted raids on vendors and food outlets at the Galle Face Green today. Seen here are CMC officials involved in the raids. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Three killed in Yakkala accident

A family of three was killed when they met with an accident on their way to Anradhapura. They met with their fate in Yakkala on the Colombo Kandy main road. The car collided head on with an oncoming bus. The driver of the bus was taken into custody by Gampaha police pending further inquiries.

Lanka's post-war struggle

The Sri Lankan civil war, which began in 1983, saw the Tamil Tigers fighting government forces to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil Eelam in the north and the east of the island. After a 26-year-long military campaign, the Sri Lankan military defeated the Tamil Tigers in May 2009. ... (Pictures courtesy Aljazeera)

Iraqi Soccer

Riot soldiers march during the final match between Al-Zawra and Arbil in the Iraqi soccer league in Baghdad's Shaab Stadium August 15, 2011. REUTERS

Happy birthday Fidel

The National Freedom Front (NFF) organised an event, “Beloved Comrade Fidel: Happy Birthday to you” to celebrate the 85th Birthday of Comrade Fidel Castro at the Film Corporation Auditorium yesterday under the patronage of Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Cuban Ambassador in Sri Lanka Nirsia Castro Guevara. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

A view of the Horizon for Putin

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is seen onboard a motorboat before visiting the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery in Karelia, northwestern Russia August, 2011. REUTERS