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

Felicitating Kandula

The Sri Lanka Army Light Infantry Regiment celebrated the 50th Anniversary of adopting Kandula, the elephant, as the regimental mascot at the Regimental Headquarters in Panagoda today. Since 1961, seven elephants by the name of Kandula have served as the mascot of the regiment. Here Kandula, the seventh mascot being given a guard of honor by the soldiers of the Army Infantry.  Pic by Samantha Perera

Petition against UN report

People signing a petition against the UN panel of experts’ report on Sri Lanka’s human rights violation and war crimes, in Colombo today. Pic by Pradeep k. Pathirana

Facilitating LG leaders

A conference was held for those that were elected as Local Government Representatives from the Western Province. Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa was in attendance at the event. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Protesting for citizenship

A detainee ties a cable, attached to a chimney, around his neck while protesting atop a building at Villawood detention centre in Sydney April 21, 2011. Angry asylum-seekers torched an immigration detention centre in Sydney on Thursday, burning part of it to the ground after Australian authorities denied some of their requests for refuge, local media reported. REUTERS

Underwater Easter Egg Hunt

Spencer Slate, garbed as a scuba-diving Easter bunny, places eggs on the ocean's floor in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, off Key Largo, Florida April 19, 2011. An Easter tradition in the Florida Keys, Slate's Atlantis Dive Shop stages an underwater egg hunt on Easter Sunday that serves as a fundraiser for a local children's charity. Real eggs and non toxic colorings are used to avoid negative ecological impacts. Photo t

Sacred hair Relics at Gangarama

The sacred hair Relics of the Buddha brought from Chitagong Bangladesh were handed over to the Hunupitiya Gangarama temple today. Seen here the Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratna at the event. Pics by Nisal Baduge

What?

Newly appointed Sri Lankan cricket captain T.M. Dilshan arrived in Sri Lanka today and addressed the media at a press conference at the Sri Lanka Cricket Board office. He said that the Sri Lankan cricket Team is more important than playing in the IPL and the Sri Lankan players are committed to return by May 5. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Leaving court

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka appeared at the Colombo High Court today for the latest hearing in the “White flag case”. The case was postponed for May 4. Seen here is Fonseka being escorted by Prison officials. Pics by Nisal Baduge

“The World Cup Starts Here”

An image of Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho is projected onto Brasilia's National Museum during the launch of the “Brasilia 51 Years - The World Cup Starts Here” campaign, April 19, 2011. The event campaigns for Brasilia to host the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and celebrates the capital city's 51st anniversary, which falls on April 21, 2011. REUTERS

White Tiger cubs

Zookeeper Jeanette Wurm (R) and zoo manager Susanna Stubbe try to hold four Bengali White Tiger cubs that were born two months ago on Valentine's Day in the Zoo Safari Park Stukenbrock near the western German city of Bielefeld April 19, 2011.   REUTERS

Octopus named Iker

An octopus named Iker is seen before it predicts Real Madrid's victory against Barcelona in their Spanish King's Cup final match, to be played on Wednesday, by choosing a sardine, from a glass cylinder decorated with Real Madrid's badge instead of the glass cylinder with Barcelona's badge, at the Sea Life Aquarium in the southern Spanish city of Benalmadena, near Malaga April 19, 2011. REUTERS

Army celebrates New Year

A New Year festival was held at the Moors ground near Gangarama Colombo by the Sri Lanka army force today.  Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was present at the New Year festival. Pics by Samantha Perera

Stop building nuclear plants

Mothers wearing yellow scarves swear to conserve energy during an anti-nuclear power plant rally in central Seoul April 19, 2011. The mothers gathered to promise to conserve energy at home and to demand a stop to the building of additional nuclear plants in their country after serious radiation leakages at the earthquake and tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan. REUTERS

'Criolla'

A gaucho rides an untamed or unbroken horse during the celebration of “Criolla” (Creole) Week in Montevideo April 18, 2011. Gauchos from all over the country come to Montevideo during Creole Week to compete for the award of best rider. REUTERS

'Karapan sapi'

A young Indonesian jockey races at the traditional “karapan sapi” or bull race in the farming town of Lumajang in East Java province on April 18, 2011. The race was said to have originated from the nearby island of Madura where ethnic tribes compete with their specially trained farm animal. AFP

Hiding identities

Seven suspects including the Deputy Mayor of Peliyagoda Municipal Council were produced for identification on the orders of the Acting Additional Magistrate of Colombo today. The picture shows the suspects being escorted to the Court premises by the police. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Getting your tires dirty

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'La Paz' brotherhood

Penitents walks to church at the start of the 'La Paz' brotherhood procession during the Holy Week in Sevilla, on April 17, 2011. Christian believers around the world mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The clothes and hats worn depict the people from Nazareth. AFP PHOTO

Feeding the elephants

A wildlife keeper feeds milk to an elephant calf at the elephant transit home at Udawalawe National Park, some 210 kilometers (130 miles) south of Colombo, on April 17, 2011. The Sri Lankan government is planning an elephant census this August in a conservation drive to protect the animals. AFP PHOTO

Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament

Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after winning the final of the Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Monaco April 17, 2011. REUTERS

Bakmaha Ulela

This little child erupts in joy as she wins a race at Saturday’s Bakmaha Ulela celebrations at Maligathenna, Gampaha organized by the Maligathenna Tharuna Sanvidanaya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Snapshot !

Today is Bak Full Moon Poya day. The picture shows a foreign tourist who visited the Gangarama temple taking a photograph of statues at the temple. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Governor's Cup

Ms. Nishara Jayaratne’s stable lifted the prestigious Governor's Cup in a highly contested nine furlong race at the Nuwara Eliya horse racing track yesterday. The eight horse event saw some brilliant riding by the local and Indian jockeys. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Puppy play

Eight week-old Saint Bernard puppies play in an enclosure of the St. Bernard Dog Museum in the south western Swiss town of Martigny, April 16, 2011.  In 2005 the non-profit Barry Foundation took over the breeding kennel from the Hospice at the Great Saint Bernard mountain pass (2473 metres/8114 ft. altitude) to continue the 300-year-old tradition of breeding the famous dogs, which return to their origin on the mountain pass during the summer

Traditional games

The picture shows foreign tourist holidaying in Sri Lanka taking part in traditional Avurudu games in Trincomalee today. The Avurudu celebrations which were organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau were held to share Sri Lankas rich culture and traditions with visitors to the country. Pix by Amaradoru Amarajeeva

Rescued

Eleven Myanmar fishermen who were stranded in international waters after their fishing vessel was damage were rescued by Sri Lankan fishermen and handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy today. The picture shows the Navy handing the fishermen over to the police to make arrangements for their safe journey back to Myanmar. Pix by Amaradoru Amarajeeva

Taking part in Avurudu traditions

The picture shows people lined up to take part in one of the last Avurudu traditions of applying  anointment to the head with Nanu (medicated shampoo) and oil at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya this morning . Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Chernobyl

The sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is seen behind a radiation sign and a device used for measuring radiation levels April 15, 2011. Belarus, Ukraine and Russia will mark the 25th anniversary of the nuclear reactor explosion in Chernobyl, the place where the world's worst civil nuclear accident took place, on April 26.  REUTERS

Moon Ring 'Sandamadala'

The moon can produce interesting optical effects when conditions are right, the most common of which are moon rings. The pictures show the moon ring "Sandamadala" which was visible last night. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja