Satisfying the tummy

Kids participating in the Scout Camporee are seen here hard at work trying to cook their own meal while camping at the Vihara Mahadevi Park. The Scout Camporee will conclude on Sunday. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

ooh la la…..

Ishanka Madurasinghe, Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe 2010 poses with fellow Miss Universe contestants and a chef at a dinner in Las Vegas, Thursday, as the pre Miss Universe events got underway before the final to be held on 23 August. Pic courtesy Las Vegas Sun

Offering comfort

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here comforting a grieving former Minister Mahinda Wijeysekara, who is still recovering at his residence after suffering serious injuries following an LTTE suicide attack in Matara last year. Pic by Nalin Hewapathirana

Shouting for relief

The Socialist Alliance of the UPFA today launched a picketing and agitation campaign at the Lipton Circus to pressurize the government to provide relief to the people including the monthly salary increase of Rs. 2,500 to public servants. The picture shows Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara taking part in the agitation campaign. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Silence!

Former Deputy minister Mervyn Silva is seen here silencing the crowd who had staged a demonstration supporting him in Kelaniya today.  Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Trying to compare…

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is seen here using a chart to compare the figures of those affected by dengue last year and this year, during a distribution ceremony today of the plasma expander Dextan 40, a life saving drug prescribed for patients suffering from Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.  Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

My troubles behind me

Children who were resettled in Vavuniya recently were given gifts by the Vavuniya 'sector four' police. A child is seen here dragging his gift bags back home. Pic by Romesh Madusanka 

The promise of change

UNP Media Spokesperson Gayantha Karunaratillake, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and UNP Chief Organizer Joseph Michael Perera address the media this evening where it was stated that the UNP will formulate a new constitution for the party and hold discussions to resolve the dispute over party leadership. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Giving evidence

Former government peace secretariat head Bernard Gunatillaka is seen here giving evidence before the Lessons Learnt Commission appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, which began public hearings today. Pic by Nisal Baduge

On alert

Police security was seen deployed outside the Colombo office of former Deputy Highways Minister Mervyn Silva this morning, a day after he was removed from his post. Pic by Sanath Desmond

A generous gift

While Muslims prepare to commence fasting a philanthropist distributed food and dry rations to underprivileged Muslims in the Maligawatta area today to commemorate the event. Picture shows Muslim families in the area accepting some of the gifts. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Where is he?

It will be 200 days this week since journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda went missing. Journalists and family members of Eknaligoda are seen here at a demonstration in Colombo today seeking information on the missing journalist. Pic by Pradeep k. Pathirana

Hummanaya shoots high

The hummanaya blowhole has begun to shoot water up several feet higher than the usual height, drawing large number of crowds to the area. Picture shows visitors awed by the spectacle. Pic by Krishan Jeevaka Jayaruk

Another meeting

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe met President Mahinda Rajapakse today where both agreed to continue talks on constitutional reforms. Pics By Chandana Perera

“Less fossil fuels more solar energy”

Greenpeace activists take part in a protest against the use of fossil fuels in Mexico City yesterday. The banner reads: “Less fossil fuels more solar energy”. REUTERS

Giving a helping hand

The picture shows two Navy personnel giving a helping hand to a Buddhist devotee visiting Naga Vihara (Temple). There has been an influx of devotees visiting Naga Vihara after the cessation of the civil war. Pix by Kushan Pathirajaha

Warning against collapse

United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe hands out leaflets to supporters in Maligawatte today in a protest where he warned that the health and education sectors are near collapse. Pics by Samantha Perera

The time has come

Students of the Tamil Vidyalaya in Vavuniya and students of several Colombo schools are seen here arriving for the Advanced Level examination which began today. Pic by Romesh Madusanka and Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Victims of landslide

People mourn their missing relatives as rescuers search for survivors in the landslide-hit Zhouqu County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province August 9, 2010. Mudslides engulfed a town in northwest China on Sunday, killing at least 127 people and leaving nearly 1,300 residents missing as rescue teams dug out crushed homes and tried to blast away debris clogging a river. REUTERS

Fruits of peace

The people of Jaffna are now steadily going back to their day-to-day activities since the war ended last year. Picture shows residents in Jaffna shopping for the seasonal fruit rambutan during their weekend shopping. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

My best friend

A dog show organized by the Kennel Association of Sri Lanka was held this morning. Kids are seen here kids playing with a dog during the show. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sail away...

Sailing boats make their way through the Baltic Sea during the Hanse Sail sailing festival in Warnemuende near Rostock, northeastern Germany. Organisers expect up to one million visitors to come to the event running from August 5 to 8, 2010.

A different kind of music

Combo of pictures taken on August 7, 2010 shows visitors of the M'era Luna music festival in Hildesheim, central Germany. The festival for alternative and dark musik is one of Europe's biggest. More than 40 bands play gothik, darkwave and alternative music. Organisers expect up to 20,000 visitors at the festival running from August 7 to 8, 2010. AFP

Spiritual flight

A pigeon takes flight near the Thirukethiswaram Temple in Mannar. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Kite craze

Kite season has commenced with the start of school holidays. Street vendors in Colombo are seen setting up kites for sale. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

A silent prayer

Pilgrims light candles at the Madhu Church which commenced its annual festival yesterday in Mannar.  Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Foggy weather

A guard of honour adjusts the service caps of his associates before a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall as a heavy smog shrouds Moscow. South Africa's President Jacob Zuma took part in the ceremony. REUTERS

Surf's up

Blake Thornton of Australia surfs off the lip as he competes beside the pier during the men's third round heats of the US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach, California on August 5, 2010.  The event which brings together the world's best surfers celebrates it's 51st year beside the historic Huntington Pier which is considered the birthplace of California's surfing culture. AFP PHOTO

Chit chat

Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera joined the UNP today. The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremasighe and MP Mangala Samaraweera having a light moment at the UNP Headquarters in Sirikotha after he joined the UNP. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Make way…

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse and Navy Commander Vice Admiral TSG Samarasinghe are seen here at the Galle Dialogue 2010 held today. The function has been organised by the Sri Lanka Navy. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana