Searching for victims

Soldiers of Japan's Self-Defense Force search for victims buried under debris in the tsunami-devastated town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture on April 26, 2011. Nearly 25,000 Japanese troops have started a massive new search for bodies along the Pacific coast where some 12,000 people are still missing after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. AFP

Protesting against the pension

The picture shows members of the Combined Trade Unions Alliance protesting in front of the Lipton Circus this afternoon against the proposed Private Sector Pension scheme. The protestors’ shouted slogans showing their contempt to the method the government intend to setup the said scheme.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Vietnamese embassy in Colombo

The Ambassador designate of Vietnam to Sri Lanka Ton Sinh Thanh presented his credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier this morning. He then hosted an event to celebrate the occasion and is pictured here with guests at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Path to sainthood

A file picture taken on January 17, 2011 shows French nun sister Marie Simon-Pierre posing next to a picture of John Paul II before a press conference in Aix-en-Provence, southern France. Late pope John Paul II is to be beatified on May 1, 2011 -- a key step on the path to sainthood -- the Vatican. The beatification follows the announcement that the Congregation of the Causes for Saints had approved the Polish pope's first miracle. The com

Yellow smoke

Greenpeace activists open yellow smoke canisters during a protest in front of the National Bank for Development (BNDES) on April 25, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil against the financing of the new Angra 3 nuclear plant in Angra dos Reis, some 150 km south of Rio de Janeiro.  AFP PHOTO

Rain rain rain

The Colombo area experienced a heavy downpour this morning with thunder showers and lightning being experienced in most part of the Western and Southern provinces. The picture shows school children heading to school after the rain subsided.  Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Women in Green

The High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo hosted the visiting Pakistani National Women’s Cricket team along with their team officials at a reception today. The picture shows the Pakistani Women’s National Cricket team posing for the shutter bugs at the reception. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Against Ban

The picture shows a passer by looking at posters displayed in an around Colombo against UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and the imminent release of the UN Secretary General’s panel report on the Sri Lankan war. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Lego Royals

A handout image obtained on April 25, 2011 from the Lego press office shows Lego figures representing Britain's Prince William (R) and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton. The bride and groom minifigures have been created to celebrate the royal wedding of Britain's Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London, on April 29, 2011.Fans have built a giant scale replica model of a wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbe

Former rebels’ art on display

The Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation (BCGR) has organized an Art Exhibition by Ex-Combatants in the theme of “Reflections of Transformation through Art” in the National Art Gallery in Colombo on today and tomorrow. Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Parliamentarian Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, United Status Ambassador in Sri Lanka Patricia A. Butenis and Rehabilitation Commissioner Gener

Sri Lanka without Malaria

The Anti Malaria Campaign organized a walk to mark the World Malaria Day which started from the Independence square Colombo today. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Nadal powers to sixth Barcelona

Spanish Rafael Nadal celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament against compatriot David Ferrer on April 24, 2011 in Barcelona. Nadal won 6-2, 6-4.  AFP

Slinga magic

Mumbai Indians bowler Lasith Mallinga (L) celebrates the wicket of Deccan Chargers team captain Kumara Sangakkara (R) during the IPL Twenty20 cricket match between Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians at The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on April 24, 2011. AFP PHOTO

Sai Baba

Devotees of Satya Sai Baba are seen here at the Sai Baba worship centre in Colombo after receiving the news of the Indian spiritual leader’s passing away. One India’s most famous gurus, died in hospital on April 24, 2011. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja and Kithsiri De Mel

New statue unveiled

A new statue of resurrected Christ was unveiled at St. Anthoney’s Church Kotugoda today. The picture shows the newly unveiled statue. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Against counterfeits

The police conducted a surprise raid on movie parlors and entertainment shops in Pettah today to take action against sellers of counterfeit CDs and DVDs in the island. The picture shows police officers during the raid. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday. Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. The picture shows Christian devotees taking part in religious observances at the Sacred Heart Church in Rajagiriya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sai Baba passes away

A devotee of Satya Sai Baba reacts after she receives the news of his death in the village of Puttaparthi, some 200kms north of Bangalore on April 24, 2011.  Indian spiritual leader Sai Baba, one of the country's most famous gurus, died in hospital on April 24, 2011, television channels reported. He passed away at the age of 85 due to cardio-respiratory failure after spending more than three weeks in critical condition, the NDTV news cha

Biggest flower in the world

Visitors look at the “Arum Titan”, the biggest flower in the world, as it blossoms at the Botanical Garden in Basel, on April 23, 2011. AFP PHOTO

Chick

Illustration taken on April, 2011 shows a chick sitting on a hand at the Phaeno science museum in Wolfsburg, central Germany. During Easter holidays from April 16 to May 1, 2011, the museum offers a special program for children including about 400 chicks hatching from their eggs.     AFP PHOTO

Rehabilitated

More than 483 former LTTE cadres were handed back to their family members after successfully undergoing rehabilitation in Vavuniya today. More than 12,000 cadres surrendered during the last phase of the war and 7000 of them were rehabilitated and released to society. Nearly 4100 are still undergoing special language and vocational training. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Easter egg art

Franc Grom displays one of his special Easter eggshell drilled with more than 20.000 holes in Stara Vrhnika, some 50 kilometers from Ljubljana on APril 22, 2011. Grom, a 70-year old Slovenian craftsman has drilled holes in Easter eggshells for the last 18 years to make ornaments on them. He drills an approximate number of 2500 to 3500 holes to make a single special Easter eggshell for which he spends usually one week. Grom is the only artist maki

Riding the Wave

This handout photograph provided by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) shows ten times ASP world champion Kelly Slater of the US competing during the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Torquay on April 23, 2011. Slater edged out CJ Hobgood of the US and Bede Durbidge of Australia in the heat, and advanced to the quarter finals.  The 2011 edition of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach marks the 50th Anniversary of the event, featuring the ASP T

Elephant calf

The picture shows the elephant calf that was rescued from the train accident in Habarana being shown to the public at the Dehiwela zoo this afternoon. A special competition to name the elephant calf will be held tomorrow with a suggestion box being made available to visitors of the Dehiwela zoo. Pix by Indrarathna Balasuriya

“Seven Seas Voyager”

The “Seven Seas Voyager” a luxury cruise ship traveling around the world called on the Trincomalee Harbor yesterday. The luxury cruise ship which boasts 700 rooms arrived in the island after visiting Chennai. Pix by Amaradoru Amarajeeva 

Wishing for a fast recovery

Sri Lankan devotees of Indian religious leader Sai Baba pray for his recovery in front of a large portrait of him, at a Sai Baba worship centre in Colombo. Sai Baba has a large following in Sri Lanka, including politicians and top businessmen. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Good Friday

More than one billion people all over the world today commemorate Christianity’s holiest day – Good Friday, the day the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified at Calvary. The picture shows Christians devotees taking part in religious observances at the Rajagiriya, Sacred Heart Church. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Holy Week in Malaga

Spanish legionnaires carry a statue of the Christ of Mena during the Holy Week in Malaga, southern Spain, April 21, 2011. Hundreds of Easter processions take place round-the-clock during the Holy Week in Spain drawing thousands of visitors. REUTERS

Celebrating 50 years

An exhibition was held to at the National Film Corporation today commemorate the 50th anniversary of the visit of the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to Sri Lanka. Seen here is Lyakhov Vladimir Afanasiyevich, the President of the Russia – Sri Lanka Friendship Society being invited to the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

GL on UN report

External Affairs Minister G L Peiris addressed the media today on the UN Expert Panel’s report which was handed over the government recently. Seen here is the Minister answering a question posed at the briefing. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana