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A Libyan rebel poses with weapons after fierce fighting erupted afresh around the battleground Libyan crossroads town of Ajdabiya. AFP

Porto lead Iberian

FC Porto's Ruben Micael and Alvaro Pereira celebrate their fifth goal against Spartak Moscow during their UEFA Europa legaue quarter final second leg football match in Moscow. Porto won 5-2 and 10-3 on aggregate. AFP

Prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year

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Before the dawn of New Year

Buddhist devotees are seen engaging in religious activities at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara this morning, hours before the dawn of the Sinhala-Tamil New Year. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Novice Thai nuns

A Buddhist nun walks in line with novice Thai nuns to receive food from people during the Songkran Festival at the Sathira-Dhammasathan Buddhist meditation centre in Bangkok April 13, 2011. The Songkran festival, also known as the water festival, marks the start of Thailand's traditional New Year and is believed to wash away bad luck. REUTERS

Stolen and found

A hand out picture released by Egyptian state Minister of antiquities on April 12, 2011, shows a golden statuette of King Tutankhamun which had been stolen along with three other Pharaonic artefacts from the Egyptian Museum in January 2011 during the first days of the revolution that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. The relics were found in a bag at a Metro station in the Egyptian capital. AFP PHOTO

Keeping time

A watch and clock shop employee is seen here setting the correct time on a clock this afternoon. The government yesterday announced that the standard time of Sri Lanka was to be announced at midnight yesterday (11) by the government, making it mandatory to display it as the official time of the country. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vegetables for Avurudu

The picture shows a vegetable vendor selling egg plants to an Avurudu shopper in Fort. Avurudu shoppers could be seen buying vegetables and other essential items in preparation of the upcoming Avurudu festival. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Repatriation of fishermen

Sri Lanka Navy assisted in the repatriation of eight Sri Lankan fishermen, who were released from the Indian custody. The fishermen and five (05) fishing boats were handed over to SL Navy officials by the Indian Coast Guard Ship, at the Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the seas north of Kankasanthurei. (Courtesy-Sri Lanka Navy)

Water Splash

Elephants spray water at children during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other. AFP

A new pot for Avurudu

A little girl is seen here pointing out a pot to her father during Avurudu shopping this afternoon. Cities around the island are jam packed with last minute Avurudu shoppers. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

50 years since lift off

A man passes a portrait of Yuri Gagarin during a ceremonial reception, dedicated to the upcoming Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics and the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's historic first space flight celebrated on April 12, in Moscow April 11, 2011.  REUTERS

Presidential visit

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here being greeted by enthusiastic shoppers at a shopping mall in Colombo during a surprise visit. The President mingled with the Avurudu shoppers and inquired about their well being. Pix courtesy Presidents Media

Selection Committee selected

A new Selection Committee for the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) comprising Dulip Mendis, Don Arunasiri, Brendon Kuruppu, R. Madurasinghe and Chaminda Mendis was appointed by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The picture shows the newly appointed committee during their first press briefing. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Annual Report 2010

President Mahinda Rakapaksa receives the copies of the Central Bank Annual Report 2010 from Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundere are also seen in the picture. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Air Force ushers in New Year

A New Year festival was held today at the Air Force head quarters to mark New Year’s celebrations. Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama also participated in the New Year events and traditional games including drama performances. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Marching Horse

A farmer and horse breaker performs an exercise on a horse during routine practice on his farm in the outskirts of Havana April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Enjoy your day

People enjoy a sunny day on the river Stour in Dedham, southern England April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Raptors vs. Nets

Toronto Raptors Ed Davis goes up for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Slinga magic

Mumbai Indians fast bowler Lasith Malinga (R) is congratulated by Team's owner Nita Ambani (L) celebrates during the IPL Twenty20 match between Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on April 10, 2011.  AFP PHOTO

Going home for Avurudu

Pettah Bus stand was a hive of activity today as people in their numbers were seen going to their villages for the national new year. Pic By Nisal Badhuge

Avurudu shopping underway

People in large numbers were seen in Pettah seeking to buy their needs at lower prices as the country prepared to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year this week. Here a crowd has gathered around a vendor, selecting clothes. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Kids and Avurudu

Students of the Ananda Balika Vidyalaya in Kotte held their Avurudu celebrations today in light of the upcoming Sinhalese and Tamil New Year. The picture shows students gathered around Avurudu able during the celebrations. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Butterfly Pavilion

A young girl looks at a butterfly at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum on April 8, 2011 during  the opening day for members of the Butterfly Pavilion. More than 40 different butterfly and moth species and an array of plants take up residence every summer for our much-anticipated seasonal exhibit, the Pavilion of Wings.  AFP PHOTO

Road visit

The Sri Lanka Country Director of ADB Dr. Richard Wokes is seen here during an inspection visit to the Southern Highway. A section of the highway which is nearing completion scheduled to be handed over to the government in May. Pix by Samantha Perera

Don’t resign!

Enthusiastic cricket fans gathered at the Independence Square in Colombo this afternoon to urge the Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara and his Deputy Mahela Jayawardena not to resign from their current posts. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Avurudu games

The Sri Nanda Daham School in Madinnagoda, held their New Year festival today. The picture shows a teacher explaining traditional Avurudu games to the children. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Still clearing mines

Sri Lanka army mine clearing operation in the northern town of Kokavil on April 08, 2011. The Sri Lankan military estimates more than a million landmines and other unexploded devices were planted in the last few years of the war, threatening the lives of civilians who are now returning to their villages. The army runs the largest de-mining operation, while organisations like FSD, the Mine Action Group and the Halo Trust are also working in Sri La

Sun beats down in Kili

Some students of Kilinochchi Gonavil College use their gift parcels head covers to protect them from the scorching sun on their way home after school. Gifts items have been donated to them by an organization. The schools were closed for the New Year vacation today.  Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Crackers for Avurudu

Workers at a home fireworks factory are seen here filling firework products in Kibulawala. The demand for fireworks has increased with Avurudu celebrations drawing near. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi