Mahaweli Exhibition 2011

The “Mahaweli Exhibition 2011” was declared open today by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva. The picture shows Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva visitng one of the stalls at the Exhibition. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Air Force Avurudu Pola

The annual Air Force Avurudu Pola organized by the Directorate of Welfare is currently under way at the Rifle Green Grounds SLAF Station Colombo. The “Pola” is organized each year with the aim of providing Air Force personnel and their families with household requirements, garments and gift items at concessionary prices during the festive season. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Nuclear problems

An aerial view shows Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant is seen at Miyagi Prefecture in this photo taken by Yomiuri Shimbun on April 8, 2011. Water leaked out of spent fuel pools at the Onagawa nuclear plant in northeast Japan after a strong aftershock rocked the region late on Thursday, but there was no change in the radiation levels outside the plant, operator Tohoku Electric Power said on Friday. REUTERS

IT center opened

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya today visited Kokavil to declare open an IT center. The picture shows the Army Commander inspecting the IT center during his visit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

First man in space

A  file photo taken on July 11, 1961 shows Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin saluting the crowd upon his arrival in London during an official visit to England. One half century ago, a carpenter's son named Yuri Gagarin lifted off to become the first man in space, carving an indelible mark in human history and scoring the Soviet Union's greatest Cold War success. AFP PHOTO

Army chief inspects construction site

Army Chief Jagath Jayasuriya yesterday inspected construction work to build a Wellness Resort for disable soldiers in Anuradhapura. The $10 million resort will accommodate 55 quadriplegics, and include residential facilities for visiting family members. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Launching the boats

Barramundi Boatyard Pvt Ltd. in Weligama which is approved as a BOI project of making Luxury sailboats has released the second sail boat which was made in Sri Lanka. The launch of these boats was held on 05th April at Weligama coast line. Pics by  Ranjan Jayawardena - Weligama

Health is wealth

An exhibition was held today at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo to mark the World Health day. A number of health awareness programmes were organized to educate the general public. (Pic by Kushan Pathiraja)

Ayurvedic Graduates protest

Members of the unemployed Ayurvedic Graduates’ Union stage a protest in front of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Rajagiriya today, urging the government to consider recruiting the unemployed Ayurvedic medical students into service. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Protesting for Bennet’s release

Media Rights groups organised a protest today outside the Kaduwela Magistrates Court calling for the release of Lanka e-news editor Bennet Rupasinghe. Anoma Fonseka and JVPer Vijitha Hearth show their support. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Precautions against radiation

Elementary school students hold umbrellas on their way to school as it rains in Seoul April 7, 2011. Concerns about radiation fallout from Japan's nuclear disaster prompted some schools in South Korea to shut on Thursday as rain fell over most of the country, but the nuclear safety agency played down immediate health risks. The country's nuclear safety agency said a small level of radioactive iodine and caesium particles were reported in

New Year’s here

Primary school children in year 1 & 2 of the Minuwangoda Nalanda National School held their New Year festival yesteday. The New Year festival theme was related to the tradition of the Village Headman house. Picture shows the children acting characters of the Village Headman and their family. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Tiger Woods at Augusta

Tiger Woods from the US during a practice round prior to the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club April 6, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. AFP

British HC in Kataragama

British High Commissioner John Rankin on a visit to Kataragama today met Chief Incumbent of the Kiriwehera temple Ven. Dr. Aluthwewe Soratha Thera and discussed development projects including the Hambantota port, Matala airport and the Suriyawewa stadium.

Extorters Remanded

Fourteen suspects including the Deputy Mayor of the Paliyagoda Municipal Council and the Chairman of the Kelaniya Multi Purpose Corporative Society were remanded till April 18 for allegedly extorting money from the fish mongers of the newly built fish market at Paliyagoda today. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Refill with pure water

A U.S. military barge carrying pure water (bottom) leaves the quay near Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to refill with pure water in Fukushima Prefecture, in this photo taken April 4 and released by Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force on April 6, 2011. Japan stopped highly radioactive water leaking into the sea on Wednesday from the crippled nuclear plant and acknowledged it could have given more informa

Sanga talks

Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara today officially announced his plan to step down as the one day and T20 captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket team in the coming months. The picture shows Kumar Sangakkara during making his announcement at the Sri Lanka Cricket press room. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kolam Mask

Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda take a close look at a kolam mask carrying the face of Vellupillai Prabhakaran at the opening ceremony of the Sri Lanka and India handicraft Exhibition at the National Art Gallery today. Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and Chairman of the Craft Council Buddhi Keerthisena were also present at the event. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Learning Avurudu traditions

An event to teach and experience Avurudu traditions to children was held at the Ananda Sastralaya in Kotte today. The picture shows school children taking part in the event.  Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SAARC police chiefs meet

The ninth conference of the police chiefs of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was held this morning at the Taj Samudra Hotel. The Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Pics by Samantha Perera

Repairing the power plant

Handout photo from Tokyo Electric Power Co. shows worker attempting to repair power lines at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture northeastern Japan in this March 18, 2011 file photograph. Analysts suggest power blackouts will ultimately cause the biggest economic damage to Japan, a vital player in the global manufacturing supply chain.  The Tokyo area and regions further north make up half of the

Mysteries of the Universe

A baby star sprouts two identical jets, seen as green lines emanating from a fuzzy star, in this photograph taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope and released by NASA April 4, 2011. The jet on the right had been seen before in visible-light views, but the jet at left -- the identical twin to the first jet -- could only be seen in detail with Spitzer's infrared detectors. This left jet was hidden behind a dark cloud, which Spitzer can see thr

Recognizing a legend

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse (R) presents a gift to star cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan (C) flanked by his wife Madhi Malar (L) during a tea party at the official Presidential residency in Colombo on April 4, 2011. Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in a thrilling World Cup final on April 2, in Mumbai.  AFP PHOTO

Ranil in Welikada

UNP seniors led by party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in front of the Welikada Prison today after visiting former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka and recently remanded Lanka e-news Editor Bennet Rupasinghe. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Books for rehabilitation

Several educational texts were handed over to rehabilitated former LTTE cadres and prisoners at the Welikada prison today. The picture shows three rehabilitated cadres after receiving the text books. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Repainting of “Sela Stupa”

A press briefing was held by the ‘Anoma Fonseka and Sarath Fonseka Foundation” today regarding a campaign to paint the “Mihintale Sela stupa” to celebrate the 2600th Buddha Jayanthiya. The picture shows DNA MP Jayantha Ketagoda and Mrs. Anoma Fonseka during the press briefing. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Samurdhi officers protest

The All Ceylon Samurdhi Managers Association held a protest in front of Sethsiripaya today calling for the implementation of several of there demands. The pictures show Samurdhi officers holding placards during the protest. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Rare turtle

A member of the rescue team poses next to a giant freshwater turtle after it was successfully captured in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem lake April 3, 2011. The turtle's health is in serious condition and requires treatment, according to local media and veterinarian experts. The state established a team of animal experts, veterinarians and conservation workers to capture the rare turtle and administer treatment. REUTERS

After the World Cup

Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara is seen here addressing fans gathered at the Independence Square in Colombo after arriving in the island this morning. A welcoming ceremony was organized for the Sri Lankan cricketers who are the runners up of the 2011 ICC World Cup after India emerged victorious at the World Cup finals on Saturday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana    

Beer spill

A lorry transporting crates of beer overturned while making a turn in Payagale along the Colombo –Galle main road this afternoon. The picture shows the lorry which toppled and the crates of beer lying next to it  which is reported have drawn crowds who want to collect free beer. Pix by Sunil S Thanthirarachi