Intervene in the investigations

Wife of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, Sandya Eknaligoda today handed over a petition to the United Nations Organization in Colombo asking the Organization to intervene in the investigations conducted by the government, commemorating one year since her husband went missing. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

New year decorations in Beijing

A girl walks along trees with decorative red lanterns ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Ditan Park in Beijing January 24, 2011. The Lunar New Year begins on February 3 and marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS

Playing in tidal flood

Children play on a flooded road in Muara Baru, North Jakarta January 23, 2011. The area is inundated with sea water due to tidal flooding after a levee broke about a week ago, a local radio station reported on Sunday. Tidal flooding is a common occurrence in North Jakarta. REUTERS

''red shirt''

An anti-government ''red shirt'' protester shouts during a rally near the Democracy monument, the site of bloody clashes with security forces, in Bangkok January 23, 2011.Thousands of anti-government activists gathered in Bangkok on Sunday to demand the release of their leaders who were detained since the May 2010 crackdown. REUTERS

Kala Pola 2011

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Twist and turn

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Australian Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a shot to Bernard Tomic of Australia during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 22, 2011.    REUTERS

Blast off

A Japanese H-2B rocket carrying HTV2 transporter, also called Konotori 2, an unmanned cargo transporter to the International Space Station, blasts off into space from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan January 22, 2011. REUTERS

Getting ready for the Lunar New Year

A Filipino-Chinese buys decorations for Chinese New Year at a store in Manila's Chinatown January 22, 2011. The Lunar New Year begins on February 3 and marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS

"Vienna ice dream"

Skaters enjoy the annual 'Wiener Eistraum' ice rink built at the city hall square in Vienna January 21, 2011. The “Wiener Eistraum” (Vienna ice dream) is open to the public until March 6, 2011. REUTERS

Religions for Peace

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Bird flu effects

Workers wearing protection suits prepare to cull chickens at a poultry farm where the bird flu virus had been found in Miyazaki, southern Japan January 22, 2011. Six chickens have been confirmed infected with a highly pathogenic avian flu virus at a poultry farm in Miyazaki where dozens of birds were found dead, the Miyazaki prefectural government said on Saturday, prompting the central government to convene a task force meeting, Kyodo news repor

“Flights of Fantasy Parade”

Performers dressed as Disney characters dance during the “Flights of Fantasy Parade” at Hong Kong Disneyland January 21, 2011. Hong Kong Disneyland announced that its net loss dropped 45 percent from a year earlier, narrowing to HK$718 million ($92.4 million) for the 12 months to October 2, 2010. The theme park expects visitor numbers to reach 5.8 million this year, said Managing Director Andrew Kam, according to local media. REUTERS

A memento from Lanka

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Pakistan Chief of Army Staff paid a visit to the Defense Services and Command Staff College in Batalanda and addressed the students and senior officers today. The picture shows Commandant of the Defense Service and Command Staff College Major General Jagath Rambukpotha giving a memento to the visiting Pakistani Army Chief. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Hijacked ship crew rescued

South Korean naval special forces take up positions during an operation to rescue crew members on the Samho Jewelry vessel in the Arabian Sea January 21, 2011. South Korea's navy has rescued all crew members aboard a South Korean chemical ship hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, President Lee Myung-bak said on Friday. Five pirates were captured, and eight were killed. The Samho Jewelry, en route to Sri Lanka from the United Arab

“Paul Corner”

The memorial of Paul the octopus is presented on January 20, 2011at the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany. The tentacled tipster was honoured with a “Paul Corner” at his former home 3 months after his death, containing his ashes and a “huge memorial”. Paul the octopus, who shot to fame during the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa for his flawless record in predicting game outcomes, died in October 2010

Providing water

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis declared open the water line extension along Semmandaluwa Road in the Township of Puttalam, enabling 100 families in the area to obtain fresh water.  Acting on a request by the local residents conveyed by Mayor Mohammed Nazmi, Ambassador Butenis initiated steps to fund the construction. The US Ambassador Patricia Butenis and Puttalam Mayor Mohammed Nazmi are seen here ceremonially opening the w

Riding the big wave

Three surfers catch a large wave at the surf spot on the outer reefs known as “Himalayas” on the North Shore of Oahu in Haleiwa, Hawaii January 20, 2011. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational was called off for today due to inconsistent waves of 40 feet or higher. REUTERS

Navy chief meets CDS

The Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake called on the Chief of Defence Staff and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka at the Air Force Headquarters today. He was accorded a guard of honour and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. Pics By Pradeep Dilruckshana

Military chiefs meet

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff who is on a three-day visit was given a guard of honour at the Air Force Headquarters yesterday and had bilateral talks with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka. Pic By Pradeep Pathirana

Guard of Honour

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff who is on a three day visit was given a guard of honour at the Army Headquarters this morning and had bilateral talks with the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Pics By Pradeep Pathirana

Uli’s first photo shoot

Baby elephant Uli hides behind his mother Sabie in their enclosure at the zoo in Wuppertal, western Germany, as he has his first photocall on January 18, 2011. Uli was born at the zoo on January 16, 2011. AFP

Pakistan Army Chief arrives

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, arrived today on a three day visit and was received by Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Bandaranaike International Airport after he arrived in a Pakistan Air Force plane.  Pic By Nisal Baduge

Festivities at Nuwara Eliya

The Maha Kumbabisegam festival was celebrated today morning at the Eswara temple of Sri Gayathri Peedam in Nuwara Eliya today, and is held once a year. Pix: Waruna Wanniarachchi.

Teaching meditation

Ajahn Brahm Thero, the world renowned meditation teacher from Perth, conducted a mediation programme today at the BMICH with the participation of several thousands of devotees. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Observing Duruthu Poya

Buddhist devotees light joss sticks at Gangarama Temple, Colombo today to mark Duruthu Poya. Pic by Kitsiri de Mel

Kelaniya Perahera

The annual Duruthu Maha Perahera of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya was held yesterday night. Seen here is Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe placing the casket carrying the sacred relics at the start of the Perahera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SBX

Australia's Alex Pullin, Seth Wescott of the U.S., Italy's Luca Matteotti, and Nate Holland of the U.S.  are airborne as they compete in the men's Snowboard Cross (SBX) final to be placed in first, second, fourth and third position respectively at the FIS Snowboard World Championships in La Molina January 18, 2011. The championships take place in Barcelona and La Molina from January 15 to 22.    REUTERS

Beginning school

The picture shows year two students of the Ananda Sastralaya in Kotte greeting year one students on their first day at school today. January 18th was the first day of the school for year one students. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Preparing for Perahera

The Kelani Duruthu Perahera commenced today and the Randoli Perahera will be held for three days. The picture shows the elephants being prepared for the Preahera. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi