Pakistan 277

Misbah-ul-Haq helped propel Pakistan to 277, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, World Cup, Group A, Colombo, February 26, 2011. AFP

In support of Sri Lanka

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Cricket Fever heats-up

Cricket fans flocked to the P.D Sirisena Grounds in Maligawatta this morning to buy Rs.50 tickets for the Sri Lanka- Australia World Cup encounter which is to be played at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on March 5. Seen here policemen watching a group of fans jumping to the grounds to buy tickets by evading the queue. Pix By Varuna Wanniarachchi

Cricket fever

With World Cup fever gripping the island, people can be seen expressing their excitement in their own way all over the country. Seen here are children enjoying a game of street cricket outside the R Premadasa Stadium, where Sri Lanka and Pakistan will are due to meet today. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Beefing up security

With large crowds expected for tomorrow’s cricket World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, organizers have taken adequate security measures for crowd safety. Seen here are police and STF officers the security taking last minute security measures at the venue at the R Premadasa stadium. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Fighting a better battle

Members of the Civil Defence Force (CDF), who were earlier protecting their respective villages, are now engaged in farming activities. Here CDF members with their crops in Mahaoya in Ampara. Pic by Jayaratne Wickremearachchi-Karuwalagaswewa

MJ goes airborne

Australia's Mitchell Johnson celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Jesse Ryder during their ICC Cricket World Cup group A match in Nagpur February 25, 2011. REUTERS

Congratulations

South Africa's Imran Tahir is congratulated by his teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies' Devon Smith during their ICC Cricket World Cup group B match in New Delhi February 24, 2011.  REUTERS

Anti-Government Protests

Anti-government protesters take part in a demonstration outside Sanaa University February 24, 2011. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has ordered his security forces to protect demonstrators trying to end his 32-year rule,a statement said.  REUTERS

Chock-a-block

The picture shows a bird’s eye view of the traffic block in Pettah during the protest organized by medical students of the Rajarata University this afternoon. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Showing support

Several independent groups today expressed their support to the United National Party after certain UNP nomination lists were rejected for the upcoming Local Government elections. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

World Cup arrangements

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya briefed the media on the arrangements and traffic plans to be implemented for the upcoming matches due to be played at the R.Premadasa international cricket stadium. Seen here is SLC World Cup Tournament Director Suraj Dandeniya speaking to the media about the arrangements for the World Cup. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

No matter what

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Bring the prices down!

The Employees Collective Against Increasing Price of Goods today staged a protest in front of the National Railway head quarters in Colombo urging the government to curb the rising cost of living. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Bangladesh Army Chief in SL

Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Mohammed Abdul Mubeen who came for four- day visit to Sri Lanka today met Sri Lankan counterpart Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Army headquarters. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Christchurch earthquake - day 3

Rescue workers search for signs of life in the rubble of CTV building in Christchurch February 24, 2011. International rescuers intensified their search for earthquake survivors in New Zealand on Thursday, despite fading hopes of finding any more people alive and fears that a damaged 26-storey tower could collapse nearby at any time. REUTERS

10,000 scholarships received

Higher Education Ministry had received 10,000 scholarships worth of US$ 100,000 for undergraduates to learn English. Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayke and the United States Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis signed the MoU for the schools at Cinnamon Lakeside today. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Masks

Competitors Austria's Christina Staudinger, Sweden's Anja Paerson, Italy's Francesca Marsaglia, Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. (top, L-R), Austria's Margret Altacher, Austria's Nicole Hosp, Switzerland's Fraenzi Aufdenblatten and Switzerland's Lara Gut (bottom, L-R) wear protective masks as temperatures drop to -28 degrees Celsius (-18 degrees Fahrenheit) before a practice run for the women's downhill World Cup ski ra

Running between the wickets

Pakistan's Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal run between the wickets during their ICC Cricket World Cup group A match against Kenya in Hambantota, south of Colombo, February 23, 2011. REUTERS

A visit to Vavuniya

The visiting European Parliamentary Delegation, led by Ms Jean Lambert today visited Vavuniya on an official tour.  The delegation which included seven members met the Government Agent for Vavuniya and also visited the rehabilitation camps set up in the area for the former LTTE cadres. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Quarrying causing damage

Members of the Environmental Organization for the Protection of Adudolakanda in Navagamuwa staged a protest today in front of the Central Environmental Authority against quarrying with heavy duty machinery and equipment in Adudolakanda. They pointed out that the haphazard quarrying caused extensive damage to historic Korathota Rajamaha Vihara. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

The Heat streak

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, leaps past the defense of Sacramento Kings Jermaine Taylor  and Jason Thompson during first quarter in NBA basketball action in Miami, Florida February 22, 2011. REUTERS

Against the Cost of Living

The health service sector of the Workers Collective Against High Cost of Living (WCAHCL) today staged a protest campaign in front of the National Hospital in Colombo today urging the government to curb the rising cost of living. Seen here are the protestors staging a street play demonstrating the government’s luxury and the public’s hunger. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.   

Assessing the damage

12000 Hectares of paddy cultivation is estimated to have been affected in the recent floods in the Vavuniya district. According to the reports of the Agriculture office in the North Central Province stated that Mullaithivu, Mannar, Jaffna including the Vavuniya areas were affected. Pics by Romesh Madushanka

Pabha’s husband in Court

The husband of popular actress and MP Upeksha Swarnamali better known as Pabha, Mahesh Chaaminda Walawegama being taken to the Gangodawila Magistrate Court this morning. He was warned by the Magistrate not to cause harm to the actress. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Talking about "Cyber Warfare"

A one-day seminar on the topic of Cyber Warfare was conducted by Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya this morning. The picture shows the Army Commander making his presentation at the seminar. Pix by Samantha Perera

Aftermath

The four-storey Pyne Gould Corporation building lies in ruin in central Christchurch February 22, 2011. A strong quake hit New Zealand's second-biggest city of Christchurch on Tuesday for the second time in five months, toppling buildings, causing “multiple fatalities,” trapping people beneath rubble and sparking fires. REUTERS

Skating for birds

Skating for the birds : A parrot trained by the Italian trainer Anthonie Zattu performs wearing a pair of rollerskates during the International Festival of Cirkus Art in Prague. AFP

The prize on display

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy sits on a pedestal before the start of the Group A match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad  February 21, 2011. REUTERS

In memory of our heroes

The Ranaviru Memorial in front of the Kokavil Transmission tower in Kilonocchi erected in memory of 55 military personnel including Captain U.S.Aladeniya was unveiled by Commander of the Sri Lanka Singha Regiment Major General Aruna Jayatilleka today. The relatives of the soldiers who died in action paid floral tributes to the Ranaviru Memmorial. Pix by Romesh Madusanka