A son's brilliance

.The Rugby encounter between Defence Services (DS) team and Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President’s team kicked off at the Army Headquarters grounds today. President's son Yoshitha Rajapaksa is seen here assisting his teammate in a tackle. Pic by Indrarathne Balasuriya

Make amends!!

Colombo University students staged a protest against the recent dimolishing of Sambodhi Vihara in Arugam Bay and called for the quick reconstruction of it. The students marched from Colombo University premises to Lipton Squire. Pic By Waruna Wanniarachchi

A new duty

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga attended an award ceremony of a women's society at the Puttlam Municipal council. The former president is seen greeted by officials of the society. Pic Hiran Priyankara

Time for a new investigation

The Jathika Hela Urumaya held a meeting today urging UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon to investigate into the killings attributed to the US led coalition forces as said by the leaked ‘wikileaks’ documents. JHU Chairman, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera is seen here addressing the media together with JHU General Secretary Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sharing knowledge

The G15 High Level Task Force meeting was held today at John Exeter International Conference Hall of the Central Bank. Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga is seen here having a conversation with Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs, Romesh Jayasinghe. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Prevention begins now

Minister Maithreepala Sirisena is seen here showing a vial to Minister Dullas Alahapperuma during a dengue awareness programme held in Dehiwala today. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

We want justice!

Islandwide protests were staged today against Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva after his infamous action of tying a Samurdhi officer to a tree on Tuesday. Pics. by Romesh Madushanka, Hiran Priyankara Jayasinhe and  Pradeep Dilrukshana

In court again

General Sarath Fonseka is seen here at the High Court premises today in the presence of his wife and JVP MP Sunil Handunetti prior to the Hicorp case hearing. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

A lucky escape

Bodyguards react as they protect Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) while he greets people in Hamadan, 336 kilometres (208 miles) southwest of Tehran, on August 4, 2010. Ahmadinejad was unhurt after an explosive device, officially described as a firecracker, went off near his motorcade. AFP PHOTO

Studying, come rain or shine

Around 400 students, victims of the Tsunami or war are seen here studying under makeshift classrooms at the Mullaitivu Maha Vidyalaya. Pics by Romesh Madushankar 

Bringing color to life

Students from schools around Colombo came together to paint the Sariputhra Maha Vidyalaya boundary wall today in Colombo 02. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Teachers demand dues

The Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) carried out a protest outside the Colombo Zonal Education office today and then forcibly entered the premises. Seen here are teachers and CTU General Secretary, Joseph Stalin arguing with Colombo Zonal Education Director Chitrangani Lunuwila. Pic by Samantha Perera

The final touches

A Hindu Priest is seen here putting the final touches to the Vel cart prior to the commencement of the Slave Island Sivasubramaniya Hindu Temple festival this morning. Pic by Indraratna Balasuriya

A day at the courts

Editor of Sinhala newspaper Lanka, Chandana Sirimalwatte made an appearance at court today over a charge for contempt of court. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja 

Future power

Delegates hand President Mahinda Rajapakse a miniature windmill at the National Energy Exhibition which President Rajapakse officially opened today at the BMICH. The exhibition will be open to the public tomorrow. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Another day, another rally

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva addresses a large gathering of supporters at the Vihara Maha Devi Park earlier today where the JVP held a rally. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana 

Law in my hands

Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva is seen here on the phone after having a samurdhi officer tied to a tree over his failure to attend an anti dengue program in the area. Pic by Samantha Perera

Artistic expressions

“Viru Daru Sithuwam “an art exhibition organized by the students of the Defence Services School is currently being held at the Colombo Art Gallery. The picture shows chief guest of the event Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya attending the opening ceremony. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Harvest in northern France

A French farmer displays wheat near his combine during summer harvest in Mons en Pevele, northern France, August 2, 2010. Benchmark November milling wheat on Euronext extended gains to hit new contract highs in afternoon trade as expectations of slashed wheat exports from drought-stricken Russia continued to fuel buying, traders said. REUTERS

Blowing them away

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is seen here using a fumigation machine to spray mosquito repellents near the Colombo National Hospital. The Minster vowed to use this technique to protect every residence against the dengue menace in Colombo. Pix by Danushka Silva

A new wardrobe

New uniforms and identity cards were given to porters or “Nattammis” operating in Pettah today by the Police in partnership with the Pettah Textile Merchants Association.  The picture shows police officers distributing the new identity cards.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Keeping a close watch

Students of the Dehiwala Advanced Technological Institute (DATI) participated in a protest march today in Dehiwala urging the authorities to provide them with the necessary facilities to continue their academic activities. The picture shows police officers monitoring, the student protest. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Laying tracks

The first stage of the construction of the Matara to Colombo railway tracks commenced today. The railway services between Galle and Matara will be temporarily suspended for four months due to the construction of the Matara to Galle railway tracks. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayarook

Stumped

The mascot for the ICC cricket world cup to be played in the sub-continent next year was named ‘Stumpy’ at an event held in Colombo today with the participation of cricketers of the Sri Lankan and Indian national teams. Picture shows the cricketers and an ICC official posing for photographers during the event.Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

In focus

A television camera is seen here focused on a media briefing by a group of TNA members today where they spoke on the issues faced by the displaced people. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Thoughts of Fidel Castro

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro signs a copy in Chinese of a book titled “Dictionary of Thoughts of Fidel Castro” by author Salomon Susi during a meeting with China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Havana August 1, 2010. Castro stepped up criticism of the United States over its treatment of five Cuban agents imprisoned for more than a decade for spying and said one of them was in a cell so small it amounted to torture.  R

A hard day's work

A construction worker is seen here operating heavy equipment at the base of the new port being built in the southern town of Hambantota. The first stage of the project finishes in November 2010. AFP PHOTO/Ishara S. Kodikara

One tackle goes along way

A Navy player is seen here tackling a Kandy player at the final of the Clifford Cup knock-out rugby championship played at  the Bogambara grounds this evening. Kandy SC defeated Navy 26-11 to clinch the title. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Ashan the hero at Pannala

Experience driver Ashan de Silva was the hero of the JK/Tyre McLarens Formula 1300 Championship Round One racing meet held at the Pannala motor racing track today when he won both the events. The championship conducted by the Asian Motor Racing Club was the first of the four meets that is scheduled to be held. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Water; the source of life

A Soldier is seen here looking at the Iranamadu tank in Kilinochchi. Security forces have taken measures to provide water for several major projets in the area. Pic by Romesh Madusanka