Acquiring a 'nationality'

Photo taken on january 28, 2011 shows one of the four elephants held 'hostage' in Morocco walking on a no man's land close to Casablanca's Great Mosque, following European Union travel restrictions that prevent wild animals coming from Africa to enter the EU. But having spent more than six months in Morocco “under European rules they have technically acquired the 'nationality' of the country where they are,”

Indian education

“The Great India Education Fair” is currently being held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre. The picture shows a presentation being made regarding the Education Fair today. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Australian Open tennis champ

Kim Clijsters of Belgium holds her trophy after winning Li Na of China in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 29, 2011. REUTERS

Ash everywhere

An aerial view shows volcanic ashes covering over Takaharu town caused by eruption of Shinmoedake peak, between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, January 29, 2011. Ash and rocks fell across a wide swathe of southern Japan straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima on Thursday, as one of Mount Kirishima's many calderas erupted, prompting authorities to raise alert levels and call on for an evacuation of all residents within 2 km (1

Volcanic lightning

Volcanic lightning or a dirty thunderstorm is seen above Shinmoedake peak as it erupts, between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, in this photo taken from Kirishima city and released by Minami-Nippon Shimbun January 28, 2011. Ash and rocks fell across a wide swathe of southern Japan straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima on Thursday, as one of Mount Kirishima's many calderas erupted, prompting authorities to raise alert levels

Snake charming

A group of foreigners attending the second day of the Galle Literary Festival are seen here posing with a snake belonging to a snake charmer. Pic by Manoj Ratnayake 

Aiming the ball

Andy Murray of Britain plays a stroke during his men's semi-final match against David Ferrer of Spain on the twelfth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 28, 2011.   The match is tied at one set all as play continues. AFP PHOTO

Training complete

A passing out parade for Air Force recruits which included the commissioning of four lady officers and other officers was held at the Trincomalee Air Force training camp. The picture shows Air Force personnel during the passing out parade. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Fighting for pension rights

Members of the Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union staged a protest front of the National Savings Bank in Colombo today demanding the government to restore the agreed pension rights for the state bank employees.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Money Money Money

The 175th Branch of Sampath Bank was opened this morning by Central Bank Governor Ajith N. Cabraal. The Bank located at 103, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 is a Super Branch.  Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Damaged Laut Teduh to Anyer beach

The damaged Indonesian Laut Teduh 2 ferry, which caught fire, is towed to Anyer beach in Indonesia's Banten province January 28, 2011. At least eleven people were killed on Friday after a fire broke out on the ferry, which was heading to Sumatra island, according to a local television reporter. Around 200 passengers were onboard the ferry and about 100 have been rescued by passing vessels. REUTERS

Shinmoedake peak erupts

An aerial view shows Shinmoedake peak erupting between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures January 28, 2011. Ash and rocks fell across a wide swathe of southern Japan straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima on Thursday, as one of Mount Kirishima's many calderas erupted, prompting authorities to raise alert levels and call on for an evacuation of all residents within 2 km (1.2 miles) radius of the volcano. REUTERS

“The man of the forest”

An orangutan roams an enclosure in Ragunan zoo in Jakarta on January 27, 2011. Orangutans are far more genetically diverse than thought, a finding that could help their survival, say scientists delivering their full DNA analysis of the critically endangered ape. The study, published January 27 in the science journal Nature, also reveals that the orangutan -- “the man of the forest” -- has hardly evolved over the past 15 million years,

Day 1 at the Galle Lit Fest 2011

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at the Galle Literary Festival 2011. The Galle Literary Festival 2011 kicked off on Jan 26 Wednesday and will continue till Sunday (Jan 30). Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Lost Humboldt penguin

A lifeguard releases Tomas, a lost Humboldt penguin, near a penguin colony on San Lorenzo Island January 26, 2011. Tomas was rescued by lifeguards on Sunday after losing his way and landing at the beach of Agua Dulce in the Lima district of Chorrillos. Humboldt penguins, poached for meat and sought after as household pets, are considered an endangered species according the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture. REUTERS

Wijeya awarded for clean production

Wijeya Newspaper’s Limited’s Hokandara press complex yesterday won the Silver  award in the coveted National Cleaner Production Awards under the category “Manufacturing Small and Medium”. The picture shows Janaka Rathna Kumara, Assistant General Manager at Wijeya newspaper’s Hokandera Press Complex receiving the award from Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and commerce Tilak Collure. Neither Bronze nor the

Celebrating independence

High Commissioner of India Mr. Ashok K. Kantha salutes a guard of honour at the Flag Hoisting Ceremony held yesterday at the India House on occasion of 62nd Republic Day of India. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Seminar on terrorism to be held

The Army in coordination with the Defense Secretary is to conduct a program from May 31- June 2 on international terrorism and related topics at the Galadari Hotel. Seen here is Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya speaking at a press conference about the seminar held at the Army Headquarters. Pictures by Pradeep Patirana

Easing the burden

The Coconut Development Board sold coconuts to consumers at a concessionary price at Fort today. Consumers were sold 5 coconuts valued at Rs. 30 each. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

JVP hand over nominations

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) handed over their nominations for the local government elections at the Election Secretariat today. Seen here are JVP secretary Tilvin Silva and Sunil Handunetti walking out after handing over their nominations. Pic by Waruna Wanniarchchi

Restore the agreed pension rights!

Members of the Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union staged a protest today in front of the Bank of Ceylon tower Colombo demanding the government to restore the agreed pension rights for the state bank employees.  Pics by Nisal Baduge

Rs. 40 mn worth cigarettes seized

A stock of cigarettes worth over Rs. 40 million, illegally imported to Sri Lanka from Dubai was seized by the Custom officials. Picture shows customs officials inspecting the stock at the Peliyagoda warehouse this morning. Pix by Samantha Perera

Motherly love

A black rhinoceros calf stands with his mother at the Saint Louis Zoo in this undated handout photograph released to Reuters on January 25, 2011. The calf was born to first-time parents, mother Kati Rain and father Ajabu, at the Saint Louis Zoo on January 14, 2011. Weighing 120-1/2 pounds, the little male is nursing well and being cared for by his mother, according to zoo staff. This is the first black rhino calf to be born at the Saint Louis Zoo

‘Kathakali Performance’

A Kathakali Performance was organized by the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo this evening in light of the 62nd Indian Republic Day Celebrations. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Waving at supporters

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is seen her waving at supporter while leaving the Court today. The Supreme Court today ruled that the Court Martial is part of the legal system, according to 89 (D) of the Sri Lanka’s Constitution. Pix by Samantha Perera

Signing a petition

Sri Lanka Teachers’ Association today signed a petition against the circular which states that all the expenses of schools except the salaries of the teachers should be accounted on the parents. The parents who were victimized by the rule further stated that the circular has made it impossible for their children to enjoy the right of free education. Pics by Nisal Baduge

On the move

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a shot during his men's quarter-final match against compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 25, 2011. REUTERS

After the winning shot

Memphis Grizzlies Rudy Gay celebrates with teammate Mike Conley after hitting the game winning shot against Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, January 24, 2011 REUTERS

A’pura prison shootout

At least one prisoner was killed and more than 20 prisoners and prison officials were hospitalized following a shooting incident inside the Anuradhapura Prison this evening, sources said. Seen here are some of the injured being taken to hospital for treatment. Pic by Atula Bandara

A/L Qualified Students

The “All Island Association of A/L Qualified Students” today held a protest against the planned leadership training at army camps and also called for an opportunity to conduct tertiary education after passing A/Ls. Pix by Nisal Baduge