A close shave

A book thrown onto the stage narrowly misses U.S. President Barack Obama at a rally at Vernon Park in Philadelphia, October 10, 2010.   REUTERS

Happily ever after

Some 200 ethnic Chinese Malaysian newly-wed couples pose for photos during a mass wedding ceremony organized by the Hokkien Association at a temple in Klang, outside Kuala Lumpur on 10 October, 2010.  The couples chose to get married on 10/10/2010 as ten in Chinese culture, when related to a particualar Chinese idiom means perfection. AFP

AIDEX 2010

“AIDEX 2010” a sports festival for Jaipur limb users was held today at the CMC sports ground. The picture shows Jaipur limb users taking part in a running event at the festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Mental health awareness

An awareness walk regarding psychological health was held today in light of the “World Mental Health Day”. Psychological health professionals from around the country took part in the awareness  walk. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Fonseka matters

The JVP claimed today that the Fonseka family will not request a pardon for MP Sarath Fonseka and bow down to the demands of the current regime. The picture shows General Secretary of the JVP, Tilvin Silva addressing the press briefing. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Breakfast on the Bridge

People picnic and have breakfast on the main deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Breakfast on the Bridge event in central Sydney October 10, 2010 REUTERS

Pole position

Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo of Fiat Yamaha does a wheelie to celebrate his pole position at the end of the qualifying round of the Malaysian Grand Prix MotoGP race at Sepang on October 9, 2010. Overall leader Jorge Lorenzo of Spain powered his Yamaha to secure pole position in the Malaysian MotoGP, timing 2 minutes 1.537seconds.  AFP

For the children

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Dr Peter Hayes hosted a gathering of 100 orphaned and disabled children to mark International Children’s day. The picture shows High Commissioner Dr Hayes presenting a gift to a child guest during the event. Pix by Samantha Perera 

In Lankan waters

Four Indian naval vessels arrived in Sri Lanka today. Indian Naval Ship "Tharangani" arrived at the Colombo port while, INS- "Shardul", ICGS "Varuna" and INS "Tir" arrived in Trincomalee. The 160 Indian cadet officers onboard the ships will stay until the 15th of October in Sri Lanka. By Amadoru Amarageewa

The perfect cup of tea

The Guinness World Record for the largest cup of tea was taken by “Viva” a consumer product of GlaxoSmithKline with a tea cup constructed to hold 4000 liters of tea. Sri Lankan now holds the Guinness World Record which was previously held by a Health Centre in Fort Scott, Kansas, USA with a tea cup which held 3000 liters of tea.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Army parade

An army parade and ceremony was held today to celebrate the 61st Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army. The picture shows army personnel taking part in the guard of honor during the ceremony. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi 

Contamination

This handout picture received from Greenpeace on October 8, 2010 shows an aerial view of a break in the wall of sludge reservoir at an alumina plant in Ajka on October 7, 2010. Fears that Hungary's toxic spill could destroy the ecosystem of the Danube, Europe's second longest river, eased, as contamination levels appeared to fall, an expert told AFP.  AFP PHOTO

Panda face

One of the newly born twins panda cubs grimaces in their incubator at the Madrid Zoo in Madrid. AFP

Safety dance

Cebu Pacific airlines cabin crew dance during a safety demonstration routine with the tune of 'Safety Dance' on a domestic flight to Davao city, southern Philippines October 8, 2010. Cebu Air received some well-timed publicity this week when a video of its flight attendants dancing a safety demonstration routine racked up more than 6 million hits in five days after it was posted on the Internet. Airline representatives said they want to

Agri storage

The United Nations’ World Food Programme donated a storage facility to the Ministry of Agriculture today. The picture shows Australian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Kathy Kay Klugman shaking hands with the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Yapa Abeyewardana at the handing over ceremony. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

Expanding

Construction work is currently underway in the Bambalapitiya to Colpetty Galle road stretch. The construction is line with plans to expand the existing road lanes. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi

Saraswathi Puja

The annual Hindu religious ritual the “Saraswati Puja” held at the Parliament which is organized by the Speaker of the House was held this afternoon. The picture shows Speaker Chamal Rajapkasa taking part in a ritual during the religious ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

For higher pensions

Pensioners island wide held a protest walk today calling the government to increase the pension payments in the next budget. The picture shows pensioners taking part in the protest walk. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana 

Taking a leap

India's Harikrishnan competes during the Long Jump qualification event of the Track and Field competition of the XIX Commonwealth games on October 8, 2010 in New Delhi. The Commonwealth Games reaches the halfway stage of competition on October 8, with the busiest day of gold medal action in prospect. AFP

First ladies of yesterday……

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Nobel Laureate

Mario Vargas Llosa winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize for Literature, smiles while speaking to the media in New York. The Peruvian-born writer and one-time presidential candidate, a chronicler of human struggles against brutal authority in Latin America, won the 2010 Nobel prize for literature on Thursday. REUTERS

Adhistana Pooja at Maligawa

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“Pitrupaksh”

An Indian Hindu devotee performs “Tarpan”, a ritual to pay obesience to ones forefathers, on the last day of “Pitrupaksh” - days for offering prayers to ancestors on the banks the river Mahananda in Siliguri on October 7, 2010. In Hindu mythology, this day is also called 'Mahalaya' and described as the day when the gods created the ten armed goddess Durga to destroy the demon king Asura who plotted to drive out t

Sponsored by Muthuhettigama

Saman Udugamsuriya who set out to create a Guinness World Record of travelling the entire coastline of the country by foot, arrived at Galle face yesterday to complete his feat.  The event was sponsored by Galle District MP Nishantha Muthuhettigama. Seen in the picture is Udugamsuriya reaching his final destination. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Tender an apology

Ven Prof Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera who called on Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to tender an apology to president speaks to the media at a briefing held at Abhayarama in Colombo today. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Lifting medals

Gold medallist Ravi Kumar Katulu of India (C), silver medallist Vidanage Chinthana Geetal Vidanage (L) of Sri Lanka and bronze medallist Hafifi Mansor of Malaysia pose with their medals for the men's 69kg weightlifting competition at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi October 6, 2010. REUTERS

Swimming heats

English swimmer Rebecca Adlington competes in a heat of the women's 800 metre freestyle for The Commonwealth Games at The S.P. Mukherjee Aquatics Centre Stadium in New Delhi. The Commonwealth Games are taking place in the Indian capital from October 3-14.  AFP

All for SF

UNP Provincial Councillors and supporters gathered at Independence Square today to protest the jailing of former Parliamentarian General Sarath Fonseka. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe also made an appearance at the protest. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana 

Showing gratitude

Students of Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Kotte are seen worshipping a teacher during the World Teachers' Day celebrations held at the school this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Thun Kal Dekma mess

The parliament grounds which had been a paradise for joggers and sports fans was turned in to a muddy mess following the Thun Kal Dekma exhibition organized by the Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities which has Wimal Weerawansa as subject minister. Pic by Varuna Vanniarachchi.