Final journey

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen paying his last respects to Presidential advisor on Muslim Affairs Mohamed Niyaz Moulavi, who died this morning.(President Media)

Banking in Jaffna

The Central Bank opened its regional branch in Jaffna today. Northern Province Governor Major General G.A Chandrasiri is seen here with other guests during the opening ceremony. Pic by N. Parameswaran

Agony of defeat

Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona reacts during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final match between Germany and Argentina at the 'Fanmeile' public viewing area in Berlin, July 3, 2010.  Germany defeated Argentina 4-0 to qualify for the semi finals. REUTERS  

Rumble

Kandy SC was declared the Caltex ‘A’ division rugby 2010 tournament champions this evening, while CR & FC emerged runners up. Picture shows some of the action from this evening. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya  

"Party on the Street"

“Party on the Street” the street parade organized by Royal College to celebrate its 175th anniversary, since its inception in 1835 was held this afternoon. Present and past pupils including the Opposition leader UNP MP Ranil Wickremasighe could be seen attending the parade. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi 

Discussing issues

The picture shows Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa discussing problems faced by the farmers in Moraweva, Trincomalee, when he visited the area for the opening ceremony of a primary school built under the patronage of the Sri Lankan Air Force. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

R.I.P Brazil

Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder celebrates his team's win over Brazil with team mates Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben after the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match in Port Elizabeth last night. REUTERS

Thomians triumph

S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia retained the Lady Evelyn Jayatileke Shield for yet another year when they defeated traditional rivals St Joseph’s by 34 points to 25 in their annual rugby encounter played at Longden Place today. The picture shows some action from the encounter. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Finding your hobby

The “Hobby and Career fair 2010” was held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Center today. Students who attended the fair can be seen here going through the booth dedicated for stamp collectors.  Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Primary education

A primary school built under the patronage of the Sri Lankan Air Force which was funded by Sri Lankan philanthropist was declared open by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Diwulweva, Trincomalee today. Defence Secretary Rajapaksa can be seen here presenting a gift pack to one of the students who attended the opening ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Amaradoru Amarageewa

For a better service

An Employee Advisory Council (EAC) was established at the Health Ministry today with the objective of providing a hassle free healthcare service to the public. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena and other government officials can be seen here attending the function held at the BMICH. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Symbolic protest

A symbolic black arm-band protest was staged by Nurses islandwide today to draw attention to eleven demands put forward by them. A nurse at a State hospital in Puttalam is seen here wrapping a band around the arm of another nurse during the protest. Pic by Hiran Jayasingha

Entering service

A Navy passing our parade was held in Trincomalee last night with the visiting Indian Navy Commander Admiral Nirmal Verma the chief guest. Picture shows Admiral Nirmal Verma congratulating a sailor who passed out at the ceremony yesterday. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Greeting his Indian counterpart

Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe is seen here with the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy Admiral Nirmal Verma and his wife, who was the Chief Guest at the Commissioning Ceremony held at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trinomalee today. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

A German meeting

The German Ambassador in Colombo Jens Ploetner called on Prime Minister D.M Jayaratna at the Prime Minister’s office today. Picture shows the German envoy being greeted by the Premier. Pic by Samantha Perera

From Thailand with love

The Thai government today handed over centric water pumps and accessories to Sri Lanka for use by the resettled families in the North. Picture shows the Thai ambassador in Colombo Thinakorn Kanasuta handing over the water pumps to the Governor of the North Major General G.A. Chandrasiri. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Time out

Sri Lankan born M.I.A. is seen here playing with her baby boy in New York City's East Village while on her way for dinner with friends and her husband Benjamin Brewer yesterday. (Celebuzz)

We are 'ready'!

Bollywood actor Salman Khan is seen here addressing the media in Colombo today. Khan said he was not worried about repercussions back in India regarding the shooting of his new movie in Sri Lanka. Pics by Manoj Rathnayake

Reaching out

Opposition leader Ranil Wickarmasinghe is seen here talking to residents of Dehiwala at a Bala Mandalaya organized by UNP Dehiwala organizer Sunethra Ranasinghe this evening. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Down again

Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernand gestures as he announced the price of a 12.5 Kg domestic gas cylinder has been reduced at a media briefing held this evening. Pic  Pradeep Pathirana

Power to the people

Minister of Power and Energy Champika Ranawaka gestures at a press conference earlier today where it was announced that more awareness is being created among the local community about conserving power and alternative means for power. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja   

Yum yum….

The rambutan season is now in full swing. Traders are seen along the streets of Colombo selling the juicy fruit. Picture shows a rambutan trader in Pettah. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

The end of the road

This April 24, 2008 file photo shows CNN talk show host Larry King walking down Pennsylvania Avenue following a stop at the White House in Washington, DC. Veteran CNN broadcaster Larry King announced his decision to step down from his long-running show June 29, 2010, ending a record-breaking career that saw him conduct more than 40,000 interviews. AFP

Traditional welcome

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa are seen here being greeted by three Ukrainian women clad in national outfits at the Kiev airport. President  Rajapaksa arrived in Ukraine today for a 4 day official visit to Ukraine. Pix by Sudath Silva

No strings attached

IMF Resident representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Koshy Mathai takes a seat to address the media at a press conference today after it was announced that Sri Lanka received the third tranche of a US$ 2.6 billion loan given by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without any conditions. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

The budget messenger

The 2010 Budget speech was presented by Acting Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama in Parliament this afternoon. The picture shows Minister Amunugama smiling and posing for the media after arriving at the Parliament premises. Pix by Sanjeewa Niroshana

A shameful act

While Sri Lanka’s focus is on cracking down on the Buddha Bar chain headquartered in France, a Daily Mirror online reader had emailed us photos captured through his lens of similar restaurants in the Netherlands which degrade Bhuddism.

Protest against nuclear

Members from the environmental protection group Greenpeace dressed in hazard gear protest outside the Environmental Protection Department in Hong Kong on June 28, 2010.  The group were protesting against nuclear power after a radioactive leak occured at Daya Bay nuclear plant in southern China on May 23. AFP

On to a new life

58 LTTE cadres were re-introduced to society after having undergone rehabilitation and completing a vocational training program in Batticaloa today. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan are seen here congratulating one of the former cadres. Pics by Amaradoro Amarajeewa

Keeping promises?

The Public Services Trade Unions Alliance (PSTUA) today held a campaign in front of the Maradana railway station seeking signatures for a petition against the non-fulfillment of the presidential election promise of a Rs. 2500 pay hike for the public sector. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja