Looking for their lost loved ones

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Defense Secretary’s son weds

The son of Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Manoj Rajapaksa was married today to Seuwandhi Liyanarachchi at a ceremony in Colombo. President Mahinda Rajapksa signed on behalf of the bridegroom, whilst first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa signed on behalf of the bride. Pic by Sudath Silva

Bidding for the CWG 2018

The Commonwealth Games Federation held a Candidate City Media Conference at the John Exter International Conference Hall today. The Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission Louise Martin, Chief of the Common Wealth Games Federation Mike Hooper and Sri Lanka Commonwealth Games Hambantota 2018 bid committee headed by Co-Chairman Minister fro Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Co-Chairman Governor of the of the Central bank Ajith Ni

Fisher folk protest

More than 2,000 fishermen staged a protest at the Elakanda Junction in Hendala today urging the Navy to lift restrictions on prawn farming. Several Buddhist monks, Catholic priests and prominent politicians including Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne joined the protest that lasted for about four hours. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

Show of faith

A reveler carries a girl on his back while crossing burning embers during the night of San Juan in San Pedro Manrique, Soria province in northern Spain on June, 2011. The ritual consists in starting a bonfire and for the locals to step barefoot on hot coals without burning the soles of their feet, and most times with someone on their back. AFP

Graduation Ceremony

Rebel fighters demonstrate their skills during their graduation ceremony in Benghazi June 29, 2011. REUTERS

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan

Canadian soldiers sit onboard a Canadian air force C-17 aircraft as they prepare to leave Afghanistan at Kandahar Air Field, June 30, 2011. Canada is winding up combat operations in Afghanistan and all combat troops will leave by the end of July, after nearly ten years fighting in Afghanistan.  REUTERS

World Cup Cheers

Supporters of Australia cheer for their team before the Women's World Cup Group  D soccer match against Brazil in Moenchengladbach June 29, 2011. REUTERS

Philippines vs Sri Lanka

Action at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition match between Sri Lanka and Philippines which ended in a one all draw a Sugathadasa Stadium today. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Undergrads protest

Students of the Visual and Performing Arts staged a protest before the university premises today expressing their objection to the Higher Education Ministry’s decision to move the university premises from its current location. Seen in the pictures are the undergraduates holding placards and chanting slogans in objection to the change of university location. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

More for Potter fans

Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling poses with a young boy next to a computer during the launch of her new project 'www.pottermore.com' in central London, on June 23, 2011.  AFP PHOTO

Preparing for a showdown

Rafael Nadal of Spain sits on a practise court at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 2011. REUTERS

Save Rizana

UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake and UNP Provincial Councilor Shanthini Kongahage were among hundreds who joined a protest campaign by Civil society organizations today in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy to protest against sentencing Sri Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek to death. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Language policy

The National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara and the Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Bruce Levy signed a MOU to the National Languages policy in Sri Lanka with the support of Canadian Government today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Felicitating Amaradeva

The Indian High Commission held a felicitation ceremony for Shri Pandit Amaradeva last evening. Pictured here are Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and local politicians during the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Lets dry fish !

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Against cruelty on fur farms

Animal rights activists in fur coats sitting in cages during a PETA(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) demostration in Washington, DC. PETA is drawing attention to the extreme cruelty to animals on fur farms that spend their entire lives confined in filthy cages to await slaughter to make coats shoes sweaters and other items that can easily be made from synthetic alternatives. AFP PHOTO

Crimes against humanity

A Libyan man walks past a caricature of Muammar Gaddafi near a courthouse in Benghazi June 27, 2011. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Monday for Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and the country's spy chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, on charges of crimes against humanity. REUTERS

‘Don’t poison us’

A little child standing near a placard carrying protesters who took to the streets yesterday at the Baudhaloka Mawatha calling the authorities to save people from contaminated pesticides which they alleged containing arsenic. The protest was organized by the National Movement against Poison. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Against malpractices

Employees of the Sri Lanka Telecom today held a protest against the alleged malpractices taking place at the SLT. The picture shows SLT workers holding placards during the protest in Fort today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Wanted

A combination photo shows Saif al-Islam (L) during an interview with Reuters in Tripoli March 10, 2011, and his father Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Damascus March 29, 2008. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on June 27, 2011, for Gaddafi, his son al-Islam and the country's spy chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, on charges of crimes against humanity. REUTERS

All smiles

The evaluation committee for the 2018 Commonwealth Games bid is in the country for a four day evaluation, led by Chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Mike Hooper and Chair of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Evaluation Commission Louise Martin. Hopper stated that the evaluation would be based primarily on the basis of technical elements and comfort for the athletes. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

“Red Shirt Village of Democracy”

A woman prays in front of Buddhist monks collecting alms in Sam Phrao, a village designated as a “Red Shirt Village of Democracy”, near Udon Thani in northeastern Thailand, June 27, 2011. The red shirts, supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have been branding hundreds of villages as red to rally behind Thaksin's sister, Yingluck, who is leading the opposition ahead of the July 3 general elections. REUTERS

Strange friends

A dog called “Shura” licks an orphaned roe deer it has befriended in the Simferopol zoo in Crimea June 2011. The deer was found close to its dead mother in a local forest. REUTERS

Fail to spot the chance

Lakitha Shamal leader for almost eight laps of the ten lap Group ‘O’ Standard upto 250cc 4 Stroke was unfortunate as he lost control and met with a mishap. Picture by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Volkswagen Beetle galore

The Volkswagen Beetle owner’s club today presented a Volkswagen beetle rally at Green Path in Colombo. The picture shows several Volkswagen Beetles and their owners taking part in the rally. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Awaiting resettlement

Although it’s been two years since the ending of the thirty year old ethnic conflict in the North, there still seems to be issues that have not been settled with concern to the displaced people. Seen in the picture is a group of people residing in the Kiliweddi IDP camp in Trincomalee, gathered at noon to collect their daily ration of water. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Returning home

As apart of the resettlement process that is ongoing in Jaffna, villagers from Kankasanthurai  are now allowed to return to their homes after 21 years. Seen here are villagers clearing the over grown forests and rebuilding their homes in a bid to resume lives they left behind during the war. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

IIFA 2011

Diya Mirza, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma, Shah Rukh Khan, and Boman Irani bow at the end of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards show in Toronto. June 25, 2011.   REUTERS

“Smurfs”

People dressed up as “Smurfs” walk to a promotional event in Mexico City June 25, 2011. Promoters for the film “The Smurfs” gathered volunteers dressed as “Smurfs” to take part in a Global Guinness World Record attempt for the most people dressed as “Smurfs” ever. REUTERS