“The Art of Making Kings”

“The Art of Making Kings - Political Communication” a book by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon was launched today. The picture shows UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, DNA MP Vijitha Hearth and Democratic People's Fron. Leader, Mano Ganesan at the book launch. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Voting for the proposals

The Inter Company Employees Union (ICEU) conducted the 12th convention of the Union at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium today. Seen here are members of the Union voting for the proposals put forward by the Executive Committee of the Union. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Sri Maha Bodhi sapling in Yangon‏

A handing over ceremony of sacred Bo saplings was held at the Nyaungdone Monastery on December by 90 member Sri Lankan pilgrimage group led by the chief monk Rev. Assaji Thero.  Bo sapling that was brought by the group was presented to the Chief Syadaw Bhadantha Thawbana of the Nyaungdone Monastery by Nirmala Paranavitana,    Charge d ‘ Affairs of the Embassy of Sri Lanka.  Myanmar monks from other monasteries in Ya

Happy Christmas

A sea lion, wearing reindeer antlers, stands with a trainer (L) in reindeer costume during a show at the Aqua Stadium aquarium at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo on December 13, 2010. Visitors can view the Christmas special show, which will be held through to Christmas Day. AFP

“The Silent Evolution”

Figures are seen in underwater sculpture installation “The Silent Evolution” by British artist Jason de Caires Taylor between Cancun and Isla Mujeres December 11, 2010. Taylor used 'life casts' made from materials that encourage coral growth to build the installation on the sea bed off the coast of Cancun. The installation will form a new home for a variety of aquatic creatures at the Cancun and Isla Mujeres National Marine Pa

A fishy christmas

An aquarium trainer in a Santa Claus costume is pushed out of the water by bottle-nose dolphins during a show at the Aqua Stadium aquarium at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo on December 13, 2010.  Visitors can view the Christmas special show, which will be held through to Christmas Day. AFP

Exam done

The GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination commenced island wide today. The picture shows students who completed today’s examination leaving an exam center in Colombo.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

UNP media briefings

Two UNP press briefing were held today one headed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the other by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa. UNP leader Wickremesinghe stated that he had done his duty by passing the new UNP constitution, while UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that MP Sajith Premadasa will be appointed as the leader of the UNP soon. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana & Kithsiri De Mel

From guns to O/Ls

173 rehabilitated child LTTE cadres from the North sat for the GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination which is currently being held island wide. The picture shows some of the students taking part in the examination. By Romesh Madushanka

Merry Christmas from the Obamas

U.S. President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama, their daughters Malia and Sasha and the mother of Michelle Obama, Marian Robinson, pose with children dressed as elves at the the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 12, 2010. REUTERS

A gift from the First Lady

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa distributed Christmas gifts at the Cancer hospital in Maharagma today. The picture shows First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa presenting a gift to one of the elderly patients receiving treatment at the Maharagma Cancer hospital. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A new direction

The new UNP Constitution was adopted at the UNP convention this morning. The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe pointing at the direction of Hambantota UNP MP Sajith Premadasa during the UNP convention. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

“Anonymous”

WikiLeaks supporters wear masks of the “Anonymous” internet activist group and a mask of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (R) during a demonstration calling for the release of Assange, in Malaga, southern Spain. The WikiLeaks website has released a trove of U.S. State Department cables exposing the inner workings of American diplomacy, including candid and embarrassing assessments of world leaders. REUTERS

Keeping warm

Stray dogs sit in the snow with the air temperature at about minus 35 degrees Celsius (-31 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk December, 2010. REUTERS

Taking the curve

Italy's Davide Simoncelli competes in the first run of the FIS World Cup Alpine Men's Giant Slalom on December 11, 2010, in Val-d'Isere, French Alps. AFP PHOTO

Putin plays piano

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin plays piano during a charity concert in Saint Petersburg on December. AFP PHOTO

Taking their seats

A UNP press briefing was held today in Colombo regarding the UNP convention scheduled for tomorrow. The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya taking their seats during the media briefing. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachi

Nobel confusion

This picture taken on December 10, 2010 shows an exhibition at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo highlighting this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Liu Xiaobo, next to a portrait of last year winner US President Barack Obama, a few hours before its opening. Confusion over which countries would attend the peace prize ceremony for jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo grew Friday just hours before the event with organisers adding more names to the

Out on bail

The Inter University Students Federation Convener Udul Premaratna was released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate on the direction of the High court on today. Udul Premaratna is seen here leaving the Court premises after reciving bail. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest against favoritism

The All Employees Union of Telecommunication and Information (AEUTI), staged a protest threatening to strike at the end of two weeks if the alleged corruption and favoration within the Sri Lanka Telecom did not stop.  Seen here are employees of Sri Lanka Telecom at the protest. Pic By Pradeep Pathirana

Coconuts at cheaper rate

The Coconut Cultivation Board is selling coconuts at a lower rate to consumers, as much as five coconuts for Rs. 150. Here consumers are purchasing Coconuts from a CCB lorry outside its office in Battaramulla today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Iranamadu spills

The flood gates of the Iranamadu dam, in the Vavuniya District are being opened due to the excessive rainfall in various parts of the island. Pics by Romesh Madushanka

Freezing protest

Balkar men, dressed in national clothes, sit during a heavy snowfall as they take part in a protest rally in central Moscow, December 9, 2010. Six Balkar activists from Russia's North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria have held more than a five-month long rally by the Kremlin wall to protest against the policies of authorities in their native region, which, in their opinion, infringe upon their people's rights, local media reporte

Presidential colours for Navy

President Mahinda Rajapaksa awards Presidential colour to Afloat command, Northern and Eastern commands for their exceptional service on the day of the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy. Pics. by Pradeep Pathirana

The world's best known

Cardboard versions of New York's Statue of Liberty, the Sydney Opera House, Paris' Eiffel Tower, Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer, London's Big Ben, Cairo's Great Pyramid of Giza,  Mexico's Angel of Independence, Agra's Taj Mahal and Beijing's Temple of Heaven stand in the ocean at the Gaviota Azul beach in Cancun December 8, 2010. Greenpeace staged a performance sinking the world's best known landma

Sathyagraha at J’pura uni

The students of the Jayawardenapura University commenced a continuous Sathyagraha campaign today urging the authorities to provide immediate solutions to several issues which the students are facing. pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Students demand Udul’s release

Students of the Institute of Indigenous Medical Institute, Colombo protested at the Ayurveda roundabout, urging the government to grant bail for the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) Convener, Udul Premaratne. Increasing  the Mahopola scholarship allocations and cracking down bogus educational institutions were among their other demands. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Paramedics on strike

The Paramedical Services Front (PMSF) conducted a protest campaign in front of the Health Ministry in an attempt to push the government to fulfill their demands. Seen here are paramedical staff shouting out slogans and alleging that the ministry was deliberately postponing the demands that they had agreed to fulfill. Pic By Nisal Baduge   

A peace offering

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi offers a yellow robe to a Buddhist monk in front of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party's headquarters in Yangon December 8, 2010. REUTERS

New generation

A model of the Chinese high-speed train on display at the 7th World Congress on High Speed Rail in Beijing on December 7, 2010.  China is rapidly expanding and upgrading its railway network amid increased pressures on its transportation system, with plans to have 120,000 kilometres of track by 2020, and spending about 120 billion USD to nearly double the country's high-speed rail network by 2012. AFP