A day of scalps and salutes

Muttiah Muralitharan bagged his 793rd wicket by snaring Sachin Tendulkar today in the 3rd day of the first Test match against India at Galle. The spin wizzard also batted briefly before Sri Lanka declared at 520 for 8 and was greeted by cheering spectators and Indian fielders who gave him a guard of honour. - Cricinfo

Petitioning for a pay hike

The Public Services Trade Union Alliance held a campaign at the Eye Hospital in Colombo to get one million signatures on a petition that would urge the government to increase their salaries by Rs. 2,500 as promised during the Presidential elections. Pics by Indraratne Balasuriya 

Taking a cat nap

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya dozes during a media briefing where it was announced that the police will strictly implement existing road rules under the police ordinance including parking restrictions near public places. Pics By Pradeep Pathirana

Opposing views

The Opposition members of the Western Provincial Council (WPC) held a protest in front of the Western Provincial Council today against the increase of the vehicle revenue license fee. Seen here is a jovial argument that broke out between the members of the opposition and the members of government of the WPC. Pix by Nisal Baduge

More public protectors

A recruitment drive was held at the Police Park today to enroll Sub Inspectors (SI) to the Sri Lankan police force. Seen here is one of the candidates being processed during the enlisting process. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Grieving his loss

Chatura DeSilva from Sri Lanka holds a portrait of his mother, Chandrika DeSilva, who was killed by a drunk driver outside her Los Angeles, Reseda home on Sunday July 18, 2010. She was struck by a Jeep Cherokee driven by Richard Buitron, a 22-year old Marine. At the crash scene on Monday, piles of bouquets and dozens of candles surrounded a photo of a smiling De Silva, 51. It was a picture shot of her just hours before her death, taken at a fa

No rain here...

Despite many parts of the country experiencing sporadic bouts of rain, parts of Puttalam are experiencing severe drought. Seen here is a boy picking up fish from a river bank that has nearly dried completely. Pics Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha

Times are changing

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremasighe adresses a gathering at the UNP working committee meeting held this afternoon where it was announced that the party constitution will be changed. Pics By Kushan Pathiraja

Support for Male

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen here greeting Mohamed Lathiff, the advisor to the Maldivian President and Founding Member of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party following talks in Colombo today. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel.  

Slipping away

Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan is seen here standing on a tarpaulin ground cover during the washed out second day of the first test cricket match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle today. Muralitharan, who has picked up 792 test wickets, was aiming to achieve the 800 wicket haul during the Galle test which has been affected by rain delays.   AFP   

Taking the spotlight

The United National Party and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress charged today that the final report of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), formed to formulate a solution to the ethnic issue has not yet been publicized. Seen here are UNP, SLMC and DPF representatives addressing the press briefing. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Giving directions

A special traffic plan was implemented in Kohuwala today to reduce the vehicular traffic that prevails in the area during the morning and evening traffic hours. The picture shows a traffic police officer directing traffic according to the new traffic plan. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Avoiding the tackle

A Navy ruggerite is seen here trying to tackle an Army ruggerite at the match between the Navy and Army which took place at the CR & FC grounds this evening. Navy beat Army, 32-22. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

Saints go marching...

St. Josephs College held thier biennial Josephian walk today. The walk was followed by a carnival held at the College premises. Seen  here is a group of Josephian students carrying the College flag at the walk. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

The more the better ..

United Lady; a crude oil ship, is seen here pumping oil into a floating storage. Petroleum minister, Susil Premajayantha decided to increase the duration of oil being pumped from 12 hours to 24 hours. Pic by Nisal Baduge

A token for Murali

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan receives the Lifetime Achievement award from Chief Minister of Central province Sarath Ekanayake as captain Kumar Sangakkara claps before the start of their first test cricket match against India in Galle today. REUTERS

For a good cause

The army hosted a musical show called Brave Heart last night at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium to raise funds for a recreational centre in Anuradhapura for totally dependant disabled war heroes. The event, which President Mahinda Rajapakse attended, featured current and veteran celebrities along with disabled soldiers in an extravagant evening of music and dance. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Out for a spin

The Navy commissioned a new vessel in Trincomalee today. Seen here is the vessel being taken out to see after the launch. Pics by Amadoru Amarajeewa‏

A treat for the heat

A Gray langur enjoys an ice bomb filled with fruits at a zoo in Hanover, central Germany. Germany is still experiencing a heat-wave, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius and more.  AFP  

Practice session

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan prepares to bowl during a practice session in Galle July 17, 2010. Sri Lanka will play India in a three-test series starting at Galle on July 18.  REUTERS 

St Peter's through to finals

 St Peter's College was awarded the win of the first semi final encounter against Isipathana in the "Under 20 Milo trophy inter-schools knockout rugby tournament" which was stopped after 30 minutes of play on July 14th.  The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association decided to play a continuation which was scheduled today, but the replay did not take place after Isipathana College disagreed to the continuat

No mosquitoes here...

Public health inspectors carried out checks on houses in Maradana today and stuck bills on homes which are free of dengue breeding sites. Pics by Varuna Waniiarachchi

Beating the heat

Two children play on bales of straw on a field in Petersdorf, eastern Germany, where the sun sets behind a red-colored sky. The country still experiences a heat-wave, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius and more.  

The hotel show

 ‘The Hotel Show 2010’ organized by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association is underway at the Sirmavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre from the 16th to the 18th of July. The picture shows a group of student attending one of the exhibits at the exhibition. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel 

Air Force on top

The Air Force Sports Club registered a thrilling five-point quarter final victory over Police by scoring 11-6 and booked their place in the semi finals of the Caltex Clifford Cup knock out tournament at Longdon Place this evening. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi

A new alliance

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen here giving a close ear to President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the Royal Collage 175th anniversary commemorative event held at the school today. Pic by Gayan Amarasekera

On the job

Government Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva and Maithripala Sirisena seem to be taking a breather during a press briefing in Colombo today, two days after a hectic tour of the north for a Cabinet meeting. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Eclipse in Colombo

The Colombo premier of the movie Eclipse was hosted by EFM at the Liberty Cinema this evening. Daily Mirror online was there to catch the action and the fans on camera. Pics by Kithsiri De Mel

In search of ambergris

Residents of the Puttlam Daluwa area are seen here looking for ambergris inside the sperm whale which washed ashore yesterday in the area. The whale was later buried in the beach.  Pic by Hiran Priyankara

Royal crush Wesley

The second semi final of the Under 20 Milo Trophy Inter-Schools Knockout Tournament between Royal and Wesley played at Longden Place today ended in a 20-12 win for Royal and secured their place in the finals of the tournament. Royal will meet the winners of the semi final encounter between St Peter’s and Isipathana, which is scheduled to be played on July 17, in the finals scheduled to be played on July 23. Pics by Indraratne