Jumping the furthest

France's Teddy Tamgho celebrates after he broke his own triple jump indoor world record with a leap of 17.91 metres, during the French indoor athletics championships, in Aubiere, central France, on February 2011. The 21-year-old bettered his previous mark of 17.90 metres, set at last year's world indoor championships in Doha. AFP PHOTO

A silent protest

Jaffna fishermen and their families held a silent protest in front of the Indian Consulate today against Indian fishermen straying into Sri Lankan fishing waters. The picture shows protesters in front of the Indian Consulate in Jaffna. Pix by Kavisuki and Thas

V for Victory

A Bahraini man shows the V-sign for victory after spending the night in Pearl Square in the capital Manama, the focal point of bloody anti-regime demonstrations.

Century for Mahela

Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene plays a shot during the Group A match in the World Cup Cricket tournament between Sri Lanka and Canada at the Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium in the southern district of Hambantota on February 20, 2011. Sri Lanka made 176 for the loss of two wickets after 31 of their allotted 50 overs. AFP PHOTO

World Cup Cricket fever

Sri Lanka fans cheer before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup group A match between Sri Lanka and Canada in Hambantota, south of Colombo, February 20, 2011.  REUTERS

Back home

A fisherman, who was released by the Somalian pirates, being comforted by relatives. Pix by R.G.W.Jayawardane-Weligama

“Homiez and the Popz”

Members of the touring US “Homiez and the Popz” cricket side pose on the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The “Homiez and the Popz” from the Los Angeles gang hotspot of Compton, are the first American team to tour Australia, where cricket is a national sport. They've toured England five times since forming at LA's Dome Village as the LA Krickets Homeless XI, but it's taken them 16 years to get to Australia, and ste

Skiing

Japan's Emi Hasegawa competes during the first run of the women's Alpine skiing Championship Slalom event in Garmisch Partenkirchen, southern Germany on February  19, 2011. AFP

A fine start

The 10th edition of the ICC World Cup kicked off today in Bangladesh. Seen here is Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag raises his bat after scoring a half century (50 runs) during the first match in the World Cup Cricket tournament between Bangladesh and India at The Sher-e Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on February 19, 2011. AFP

Model planes flown again

Unmanned model planes and aircrafts were launched at a ceremony held at the Ekala Air Force camp today, which were previously banned by the government due to the war. Air Force Commander Roshan Gunatilake present at the ceremony. The Air Force has granted permission for launching and flying unmanned model planes boats and cars within the Air Force base premises. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

It’s here

In the run up to the cricket world cup which starts today, life-sized cut-outs of some of the cricketers who will be in action can be seen all over Colombo. Seen here are some of locations where the cut-outs can be seen. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Elephants getting more visitors

With the tourist industry enjoying a post-war boom, visits by foreigners to popular tourist attractions have been on the rise. Seen here are pictures of tourists who recently visited the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Films or fishermen?

IGP Mahinda Balasuriya and Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha in a serious conversation at the Indian Film Festival organized by the Indian High Commission  in association with the National Film Corporation held in Colombo today. This conversation apparently made the other guests at the film festival wonder whether they were discussing on films or fishermen which had become a serious issue. Pic by Indraratne Balasuriya

Preparing for take-off

The Sri Lanka cricket team took off for Hambantota from the Air Force Ground today, to play in their opening game of the 2011 World Cup against Canada on Sunday at the newly built Sooriyawewa Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. Seen here are the members of the team getting into an Air Force helicopter. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Navy chief meets the police chief

Newly appointed Navy commander, Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake met the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya at the police headquarters today. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Air speed vs Ground Speed

Sprint Cup Series driver Andy Lally (71) drives around the track as a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 fighter jet touches down at the airport next to the track during the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Gatorade Duel race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida February 17, 2011. REUTERS

Final day of Gangaramaya Perehera

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa are seen placing the sacred relics casket on the ceremonial tusker at the Navam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple this evening. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Hedge Fund Trial

Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam leaves federal court after a hearing with lawyer John Dowd (back) in New York February 16, 2011. Onetime billionaire Rajaratnam, 53, was arrested and charged with conspiracy and securities fraud in October 2009 in a sprawling case U.S. prosecutors describe as the biggest probe of insider trading in the $1.9 trillion hedge fund industry. Sri Lankan-born U.S. citizen Rajaratnam, who has pleaded not guilty a

UNP meet in Gampaha

A meeting was held in the Gampaha Balamandala at the residence of the member of Pradeshiya Sabha Ajith Mannapperuma today. Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe was present and the party documentary was issued to UNP members. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Religious activities in Kelaniya

Today is Nawam Full Moon Poya Day. These photos depict scenes at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya where Buddhist devotees engaged in religious activities this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tour of Oman Race

A pack of riders cycles during the 2nd stage of the 2nd Tour of Oman cycling race from Muscat to Al Wutayya, February 16, 2011. REUTERS

Annual Navam Maha Perahara

The annual Navam Maha Perahara of the Gangarama Vihara began this evening and will and also takes place tomorrow. Seen here is the President participating in a ceremony at the Perehara. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

All about speed

The first high speed train service in Sri Lanka was launched between Galle and Matara this morning. The train service is expected to run at 100 Kmph between the two cities. The picture shows the high speed train during the launch. Pix by  Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Leaflets from the sky

Anti-North Korea and pro-U.S. conservative right-wing people and former North Korean defectors living in South Korea release balloons containing leaflets denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong-il toward the North during a rally at Imjingak near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, north of Seoul, on the occasion of Kim Jong-il's birthday, February 16, 2011. The balloons read,”Overthrow dictatorship of Kim Jong-il

A bicycle parade

A bicycle parade organized by the Scouts of the Vavuniya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Scouting in 2012 was held this morning from Vavuniya to Anuradhapura. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Taking a jumbo wash

The picture shows an elephant being washed this morning in preparation for the “Nawam Maha Perahera” scheduled to commence this afternoon from the Gangarama temple in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A licence to kill and sleep

A tabby cat named Larry rests in a room at number 10 Downing Street in London February 15, 2011.   Downing Street has a new occupant  -- a street-smart character with a licence to kill. Larry, a four-year-old tabby, has been brought in to the British Prime Minister's residence to clean up a gang of dirty rats who have been openly parading in front of the TV cameras. REUTERS

“Obeth Rateh Sangwardanaya”

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WRC Rally

Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen of Finland steer their Ford Fiesta RS during the eighth stage of the WRC Rally of Sweden in Lesjoefors, north of Karlstad, 2011. AFP PHOTO

Assets and Liabilities

The Local Government election candidates of the Jathika Hela Urumaya for the Colombo District today handed over their Assets and Liabilities reports to the election authorities. The picture shows JHU member Udaya Gammanpila after the handing over of the reports. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja