Queues at IOC filling stations

Motorists are seen here queuing up at the Indian Oil Company (IOC) filling station at Horton Place today after reports of engine defects in several vehicles allegedly caused by the use of low quality petrol issued by CEYPETCO fuel stations. Pic by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Breathing in a free country…

A tourist walks in a temple in Colombo on July 5, 2011. Sri Lanka has eased restrictions on tourists travelling to the island's former war zones two years after the defeat Tamil Tiger separatists, the government said. Foreigners no longer require defence ministry clearance to visit the northern region where hundreds of thousands of Tamils were forced to leave their homes during years of fighting between the rebels and government forces. AFP P

Health inspection

A vet holds Julau, a 9-year old male Proboscis monkey, after it was sedated for a routine health inspection in the operating room at the Singapore Zoo in Singapore July 5, 2011.  REUTERS

Protest by employees

The Nidahas Seveka Sangamaya of Lake House publication staged a protest in-front of the Lake House premises yesterday against the alleged mismanagement of the institution by its administration. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Rescuing Mission

In a picture taken on July 4, 2011 a firefighter uses a rope to rescue a group of 36 Chinese villagers stranded on a section of road which was destroyed by a mudslide in Yinxiu county, in southwest China's Sichuan province, as summer downpours have pummelled large swathes of south and central China in June.  China said that 279 people died in natural disasters in June and another 93 had gone missing, as the country was hit by floods, m

Siberian tiger cubs

Newborn Siberian tigers Virgil, Thrax and Manu are presented at the Budapest Zoo and Botanic Garden in the Hungarian capital on July 4, 2011. The eight-week-old tigers were presented to the press for the first time with their health checkup and ID chips implanted by the chief doctor of the zoo. AFP

Independence Day Celebration

Fireworks light up the sky over the United States Capitol dome and the Washington Monument as the U.S. celebrates its 235th Independence Day in Washington July 4, 2011. REUTERS

The double header

Reptile and amphibian shop owner Stefan Broghammer holds a Royal python which was born with two heads, at his shop in Weigheim near Stuttgart July 4, 2011. The snake, which was born one year ago, has two spinal cords and two heads, both of which are active. Also know as a Ball python, the reptile has no physical problems or defects says Broghammer, and even manages to eat and digest food without difficulty. REUTERS

Fuelling fears

Motorists are seen here queuing up at the Indian Oil Company (IOC) fuel station at Horton Place today after reports of engine defects in several vehicles allegedly caused by the use of low quality petrol issued by CEYPETCO fuel stations. Pic by Manoj Ratnayake

Economic Summit

The two day “Sri Lanka 2011 Economic Summit” commenced in Colombo today. The picture shows Economic Minister and other head table members during inauguration of the event. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Taking charge

Senior DIG N.K. Illangakoon was sworn in as the new IGP at a ceremony held at the Police Headquarters this morning. The picture shows the new IGP after he assumed duties. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Upali Dharmadasa new SLC chairman

Former Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) President Upali Dharmadasa assumed duties today as the new Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket board. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Fire in Kalmunai

A fire broke out and caused extensive damage to the YMCA building and two shops in Kalmunai this morning. Police conducting further investigations.

“Celebrity Silhouette”

Cruise liner “Celebrity Silhouette” passes a watergate to leave the port of the Meyer-Werft shipyard in Papenburg, northwestern Germany, on June 2011. The 319 meters long ship started its trip along the Ems river to the North Sea and the Dutch port of Eemshaven. AFP PHOTO

“Born This Way”

U.S. singer Lady Gaga watches children from the traditional Taiwan aborigine Taiya tribe dance during a welcoming ceremony inside the Taichung City Hall building, central Taiwan July 3, 2011. Lady Gaga will be in Taiwan from July 1-5 to promote her latest album “Born This Way”. REUTERS

Struggling to take wickets

England bowler Tim Bresnan (R) challenges Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan during their one day international cricket match at Lords cricket ground in London, July 3, 2011. REUTERS

LTTE supporter invades ground

A protester runs on to the pitch waving a Tamil Tigers flag at Lords cricket ground during the England vs Sri Lanka one day International match in London, July 3, 2011. REUTERS

Ministers’ visit rescued cubs

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New R

MP injured in accident

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New R

Royal tour of Canada

Britain's Prince William hands his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, a shovel during a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa July 2, 2011. Also pictured are Canada's Governor General David Johnston (R) and his wife Sharon (2nd R). Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are on a royal tour of Canada from June 30 to July 8.  REUTERS

AirPower

Members of the Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team perform during the Red Bull AirPower airshow in Zeltweg in the Austrian province of Styria July 1, 2011. REUTERS

About the AALCO

The 50th Anniversary Conference of the Asian African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) was held in Colombo. The picture shows Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem addressing the a press briefing regarding the event this afternoon.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Bodypainting Festival

A model poses during the annual World Bodypainting Festival in Poertschach, July 1, 2011. The world's biggest bodypainting event takes place from July 1 to 3 at lake Woerthersee in Austria's southern Carinthia province. REUTERS

“Heart” in the sky

Israeli air force acrobatic team flying  T-6A Texan II aircrafts create a “heart” shape during the air force pilots' graduation ceremony at Hatzerim air base  June 30, 2011. REUTERS

Sea pen genus Veretillum

A handout picture taken recently and received on June 30, 2011 from the California Academy of Sciences shows a new species of the sea pen genus Veretillum taken during the California Academy of Sciences 2011 marine survey in the Philippines. The animal is only seen at night, when it emerges from the sand and extends the star-like polyps to feed on microscopic plankton in the water. The California Academy of Sciences said it discovered more than 3

Mothers and daughters for Rizana

The mothers and daughters of Lanka organization today asked the government to intervene in order to save the life of Rizana Nafeek. Seen here are members of the organization at the demonstration held in front of the Saudi Embassy this afternoon. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A walk for Cancer

A peace walk from the South to the North was kicked off by UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa in Dondra today. The walk which is organized by Colours for Courage hopes to raise Rs. 300 million to build a Cancer Ward in the Jaffna Hospital. Pix by Manoj Ratnayake

Leopard cubs found

Three female leopard cubs were found at Thabbowa in the Puttalam area this morning. The forest department of the Thabbowa is to hand over these cubs to the Pandulagama national park office today. Pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe.

Helping the sick tusker

The tusker at the Gangaramaya temple Colombo is seen here treated by the officials and vets to help it recover from a stomach-ache it has been suffering for the past couple of days. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Royal Tour

Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at an official welcoming ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa June 30, 2011. Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are on a royal tour of Canada from June 30 to July 8. REUTERS