Land to sea

Amphibious vehicles navigate on the Nantes to Brest canal near Redon, southwestern France, for the opening of the “Amphib 2010” event, an international amphibious vehicles gathering in Peillac on July 25, 2010. About 50 vehicles from 12 countries take part in this event to be held until July 30, 2010.  AFP PHOTO

Giving advice

Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara (R) and chief selector Aravinda de Silva talk at a practice session at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 25, 2010, ahead of the second Test match againstn India scheduled to start July 26. India needs to win at least one of the two remaining Test matches if they are to retain their number one ranking status. Sri Lanka won the first Test at Galle by ten wickets. AFP

Beginning of the Vas season

A special ceremony was held at the Vajiranyana temple in Maharagama today in lieu of the Esala full moon poya. At the ceremony, worshippers invited  monks at the temple for the Vas season. Pic By Kushan Pathiraja

Wind to generate electricity

Minister of Power and Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka laid the foundation stone for the new wind power project in Daluwa in Nirmalapura today. Pic by Hiran Priyankara

Laid to rest

The coffin of Susantha Aruna Bandara, the third year Ruhunu University student who had died under unknown circumstances was laid to rest by his fellow colleagues at the Hariligama public cemetery in Buttala this evening. Pic by Sumanasiri Gunathilake

Blessings from Buddha

Today is Esala full moon Poya day, which is celebrated by Buddhists Island wide. Esala Poya is significant to Buddhists as the day Lord Buddha preached his first dhamma sermon, the 'Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta'. The picture shows devotees at the Gangarama temple taking part in religious observances. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Nature’s fury

Water from the Maquoketa River in Iowa, USA surges through the Delhi Dam as it collapses under the strain of heavy rains on Saturday, July 24. People downstream were being evacuated as boats, propane tanks and buildings were pushed along by the rushing water.  EPA

Chasing the first son

A CR and FC player is seen here chasing Navy player and the son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa during the Caltex Clifford Cup knock-out rugby tournament semi finals today, Navy defeated CR and FC and will now face Kandy SC in the tournament finals. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi

Coastal clean up

The Civil Defence Force and the Sri Lankan Army today held a dengue cleanup campaign in the Trincomalee district. Seen here are soldiers attached to the Civil Defence Force cleaning mosquito breeding places along the coast of Trincomalee. Pix by Amadoru Amarageewa

Coconut growers launch website

The Coconut growers association of Sri Lanka selected  members for the Executive committee at the BMICH this morning. Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne was the Chief guest for the occasion. The launch was followed by an exhibition. The prime minister is seen here launching the association's website. Pic Waruna Wanniarachchi

March to the fore

Philippine soldiers march during a change of command ceremony at the Philippine army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Manila on July 23, 2010. Philippine President Benigno Aquino overturned a government order to send troops onto the streets of Manila to deal with a water crisis, saying this was an “overreaction.” AFP

A friendly thriller

Unbeaten league champs St. Peter’s College beat Royal College 29-27 in a friendly rugby match this evening. This was a fitting climax to a hotly contested season as the two knock-out finalists produced fine rugby, much to the satisfaction of the crowd at Reid Avenue today ignoring a move to halt the deciding match. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Clearing facts

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya is seen here addressing a media briefing held this evening. The IGP cleared some facts surrounding the death of a third year student of the Ruhunu University who passed away last night after allegedly being assaulted by the police. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Rescued

A fire drill was held at the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation office in Colombo today to educate its employees on how to react during a fire. The picture shows a fire fighter demonstrating how to rescue a civilian from a top floor of a burning building. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Lord Murukan’s victory

The” Vel festival” held in honor of Lord Murukan better known as Kataragama Deviyo, to commemorate the victory of Sri Murukan over the forces of evil was held in Colombo today. Seen here are President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa attending a ceremony at the festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge  

Combating dengue

The Army was called in to give a helping hand to combat the fast spreading dengue menace in the island. The picture shows army personnel talking to students at a dengue cleanup project at a school in Colombo-12  today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Students vs the law

Ruhunu university students in Matara are seen here in a standoff with the police during a protest this morning against the death of a student allegedly at the hands of the police. Pic by Krishan Jeevaka Jayaruk

In his father’s footsteps

Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa is seen here greeting fellow government members and supporters after opening a new bus stand in Puttalam. Pic by Hiran Jayasingha

Executive Order

A man wears a mask of Maricopa Country Sheriff Joe Arpiao during a protest against Arizona's controversial Senate Bill 1070 immigration law outside the U.S. District Court in Phoenix July 22, 2010. The SB1070 law, currently being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice at the court to prevent it from going into effect on July 29, would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give the police broad power to detain any

Friendly meetings

G.L Peiris greets Indian MP and Former Minister of External Affairs Yashwant Singha.  Singha had called on Sri Lanka to become a part of what he called a part of the subcontinent’s exciting growth story and stressed that Sri Lanka should go ahead with the second phase of Comprehensive Economic partnership agreement (CEPA). Also seen in the picture is Ruwan Wijewardena. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Building stronger navy ties

The Naval destroyer “Wang Geon” of Republic of Korea arrived at the Port of Colombo on a good will visit today. It carries 42 officers and 264 sailors. The visit will enhance the strong relationship between the two Navies. Pics courtesy Navy

Celebrating Murali

Sri Lankan cricket fans are seen here surrounding television sets along the streets of Colombo to watch spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan achieve a record 800 Test wickets during the match against India in Galle today. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Congrats Murali

Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan grabbed his 800th Test wicket ago during the last day of the first Test match against India in Galle today. Muralitharan retires from Test cricket today.

Murali bids goodbye

Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan walks on a red carpet as he enters the field for the last day of his Test match career during the fifth day of the first Test match between Sri Lanka and India at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle today.  AFP

The latest trends in fashion?

The latest production of the dress makers in the Badulla area is the Dengue kit, a costume specially designed to prevent the sting of Dengue mosquitoes. The costume comprising a jersey and a long pair of trousers is available for Rs. 600 in the textile shops in the Badulla market. Pic by Prasad Rukmal

Calling for Fonseka’s release

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe leads a protest today at Lipton Circus in which the DNA and Anoma Fonseka took part, calling for the release of General Sarath Fonseka. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Painting Gallery re-opens

Art enthusiasts admire painting at the newly opened Painting Gallery at the National Museum which was recently refurbishment with the help of HSBC and declared open to the public today. Pics by Kithsiri De Mel

From the jungle to the city

Veddha Chief Uruwarige Wanniyawaththo is greeted by Wimal Weerawansa at the National Revival Commission where he was invited to make a statement today. The National Revival Commission was created by the Patriotic National Movement recently as its own commission of inquiry into war related crimes. Pics by Nisal Baduga

Cleanup operations

While dengue has raised its ugly head in many parts of the island, the STF is seen here taking part in a cleanup operations to minimize the rising number of dengue cases. Pics By Nisal Baduge

War on trees

A racket involving a group illegally felling trees has been uncovered in Puttalam. The authorities are seen here investigating the site where hundreds of trees were found razed to the ground. Pic by Hiran Jayasinghe