Celebrating Vesak

While the entire country commemorated the significant 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi, thousands of devotees thronged the Gangarama Temple at Hunupitiya in Colombo to take part in religious observances.  The picture shows devotees at the Gangarama Temple. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vesak at Nagadeepa

A large number of devotees from around the country could be seen visiting the Nagadeepa in light of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi. The picture shows devotees and visitors at the Nagadeepa temple. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Pardoned for Vesak

Nearly 110 inmates from the Welikada and Mahawa prisons were released under a common pardon granted on them to mark the 2600th Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthiya. 860 inmates from Prisons island wide were granted pardon. The main event was held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya under the patronage of Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vesak

Today is Vesak Full Moon Poya day. The picture shows devotees who have thronged the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya taking part in religious activities. Pix by Samantha Perera

Final day of retreat

Power and Energy Minister Partali Champikla Ranawaka and 24 JHU members spent the last day at Sadaham Sewana at Rajagiriya coinciding with the 2600th Buddha Jayanthi. Seen here is the JHU group talking part in a sil program at Sadaham Sewana. Pix by Samantha Perera.

Ranil at Gangaramaya

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe attending religious observances at the Gangaramaya temple today to mark Vesak Poya.  Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Tour of California

The peloton starts Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California in Nevada City, California May 16, 2011. Stage 1 was cancelled, and Stage 2 was shortened due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions. REUTERS

Arrest warrants for Gaddafi

Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi arrives to give television interviews at a hotel in Tripoli in this March 8, 2011 file photo. The International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on May 16, 2011 he had requested arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and the country's spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity.  REUTERS

Commemorating a historic event

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a religious ceremony at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare where a new Stupa built at the temple was also inaugurated by the President. Chief Incumbent Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangarakkitha Thera is also present. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Behind bars

Dominique Strauss-Kahn (2nd R), head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), departs a New York Police Department precinct late May 15, 2011. A handcuffed IMF chief, Strauss-Kahn, facing charges he sexually assaulted a hotel maid, was escorted from a New York Police Department unit late on Sunday. REUTERS

People prepare for historic event

On the eve of the Vesak Poya day, which will also commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi, people in around the city of Colombo were seen, making preparations for the celebration. Pic by Samantha Perera, Pradeep Pathirana and Varuna Wanniarchchi

Vesak day Celebrations

Men install a peacock installation to celebrate the life of Buddha, ahead of Vesak day celebrations in Colombo May 16, 2011. Vesak Day falls on May 17 and 18 in Sri Lanka. REUTERS

Coming of age

Participants make deep bows during a traditional coming-of-age ceremony in Seoul May 16, 2011. The ceremony marks the entrance of boys and girls into adulthood at the age of 20, and reminds them of their individual responsibilities as young men and women.  REUTERS

Monster Jam

Chad Fortune flies his truck Superman at Monster Jam, a monster truck competition in San Jose May 15, 2011.REUTERS

Bulls leave Heat in tears

Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose drives to the net on Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade during the first half of Game 1 of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff basketball game in Chicago May 15, 2011. REUTERS

Blood donation

A blood donation campaign was organized by the Walkers Club at the Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya today in light of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi.  The picture shows a blood donor attending event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

“Buddhist Cultural Center”

The newly completed “Buddhist Cultural Center” was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon in light of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi. The picture shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa opening the newly named Sambudathwa Jayanthi Mawatha. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Wesak in Colombo

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Indian education

“The India Education Fair” is currently being held at the BMICH. The picture shows a presentation being made at one of the education stalls at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Swirling jacks

Scuba divers swim near a school of swirling jacks near the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben, on the Indonesian resort island of Bali May 14, 2011. Picture taken May 14, 2011. REUTERS

Wooden soldiers in Haiti

Wooden statues replicating UN military troops line a table on a roadside stand in Port-au-Prince in this May 11, 2011 picture. Musician Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly swept into the presidency by wooing Haiti's mostly poor and uneducated electorate with a potent promise of change. Picture taken May  2011. REUTERS

Street art to commemorate ‘Nakba’

A Palestinian artist draws a mural depicting “Nakba” in Gaza City May 14, 2011. Palestinians will mark “Nakba” (Catastrophe) on May 15 to commemorate the expulsion or fleeing of some 700, 000 Palestinians from their homes in the war that led to the founding of Israel in 1948. REUTERS

Against nuclear power

A protester shouts slogans at an anti-nuclear rally in front of the headquarters of Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), the operator of tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, in Tokyo May 14, 2011. A worker at Japan's tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant died on Saturday, plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co said, bringing the death toll at the complex to three since a massive earthquake and tsunami in March.

Looking out for their future

Nayeli Garcia, 7, looks through a telescope during a protest against education budget cuts in Los Angeles, California May 2011.  REUTERS

Vesak in the city

The Colombo City is preparing to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayathi. Members of the Sri Vaishyakkya Sambuddhaloka Samithiya of Grandpass are seen adding the final touches to the Grandpass (Thotalanga) Pandal which is being put up for the 43rd consecutive year. Pic by Samantha Perera

Pirith for patients

Some hundred Buddhist monks visited the general hospital and conducted a pirith ceremony for the patients at the hospital today. Seen here are monks participating in the ceremony. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Receiving medical attention

Jailed former Army commander Sarath Fonseka is seen here after arriving at a private hospital in Colombo to receive treatment for his throat ailment. The Trial-at-bar judges ordered the Prison authorities that Sarath Fonseka be shown to Dr. Vajira Tennakoon who treated Sarath Fonseka for the throat ailment. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A friendly chat

Chief Justice designate Shirani Bandaranaike, outgoing CJ Asoka De Silva and Attorney General Mohan Peiris are seen here having a friendly chat at the inauguration of the South Asian Judges Regional Forum on Economic and Financial Crime’ being held in Colombo today . Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Paragliding

A paraglider flies over Vlora, some 150 km (94 miles) from the capital Tirana, during the Paragliding Albania Open 2011, an annual Balkan competition on May 12, 2011. The event will be held from May 1 to May 14 in Vlora.   AFP PHOTO

Mother and cub

Lolo, a black jaguar, plays with Ward, her 14-month-old spotted cub, inside their enclosure at the zoo in Amman May 12, 2011. REUTERS