Salute!

The visiting Indian Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma can be seen here inspecting the guard of honour accorded to him by the Sri Lanka Navy today. The visiting Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other top political leaders and military officials during his six day visit to the island. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Back off UN!

JHU protestors can be seen here voicing their anger at the appointment of the UN panel of experts by UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon this afternoon. The protestors gathered in front of the UN office in Colombo to voice their protest. Pix by Samantha Perera

Advice from the Speaker

Official houses for Members of Parliament constructed at the Madiwela housing scheme were handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today. Picture shows the Speaker giving instructions to officials at the scheme. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Going to space

A handout picture released by the European Space Agency (ESA) on June 27, 2010 at the Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana shows the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket the day before at 6:41 pm (2141 GMT). It successfully placed two satellites in orbit, after twice delaying the launch for technical reasons this week. Riyadh-based communications operator Arabsat's 4.9-tonne satellite, made by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, separated

Scrum down

CR & FC took on Air Force this evening at the Air force grounds, Air Chief Marshal and Chief of Defence Staff, Roshan Gunathilake also attended the match. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Health Hazards

The Sri Lanka Temperance Association organized a walk and a sathyagraha at the Vihara Maha Devi Park today to commemorate World Temperance Day. Two monks are seen here listening to a speech  with a poster of a man in a smoke mask placed behind them. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Crime scene

Police are seen here investigating the scene of the crime along the Puttalam beach this afternoon where the body of an Indian national whose found dumped . Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha

Tragedy

Six people were killed and 10 others injured when the van they were traveling in collided with a lorry along the Deduru-Oya bridge in Kurunegala early this morning. The picture shows the van in which the victims were traveling. Pics by Pushpakumara Jayaratna

Navy celebrates Poson

The Sri Lankan Navy conducted a Poson Bathi Gee Prasangaya (Poson Devotional Songs Concert) on a naval boat on the Kirulapana Canal last night. The picture shows Navy personnel on board the vessel reciting Poson Bathi Gee at the event. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Speeding away

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain takes a corner  during  the Dutch Motorcycling Grand Prix in Assen, June 26, 2010.  REUTERS

Saving the goal

Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera makes a save during a 2010 World Cup second round match against South Korea in Port Elizabeth June 26, 2010. REUTERS

Free from drugs

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls today. The picture shows balloons being released at the Sugathadasa Stadium at the end of the walk organized to commemorate today under the theme of “Think Health Not Drugs”. Pix by Warun Vanniarachi

Remembering MJ

A card with a photograph of late entertainer Michael Jackson is placed among flowers during an event to commemorate the first anniversary of his death, in Leipzig yesterday. REUTERS

He speaks the truth

A man holds a placard before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match between Brazil and Portugal at Moses Mabhida stadium last night. REUTERS

Illuminating Thantirimale

The historic Thantirimale Viharaya is illuminated by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd every year, in view of Poson Poya. This picture shows the view of the historic Viharaya in the evening. Pic by Sanjeeva Niroshana

In tune

Its time to enjoy, at least for Deputy Minister Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan who is seen here playing an electric guitar and dancing during the wedding of the son of the media secretary of Resettlement Minister Milroy Fernando in Chilaw last night. Pic by Hiran Jayasingha

Generosity

A large number of dansal serving food and drinks of various kinds could be seen around the city of Colombo due to the Poson Poya falling today. The picture shows people being treated at a rice dansal organized in Colombo this afternoon. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana 

With devotion

Buddhists around the country celebrate Poson Poya today. Poson Poya is of significant importance to Sri Lankans as it marks the official introduction of Buddhism to the country by Arahat Mahinda thero. The picture shows a Buddhist devotee offering flowers to the dagoba at the Belanwilla temple. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Stopping for a freebee

A baby elephant named Ganga, from the Gangarama Temple is seen here bugging a shop vendor in the area, who gave him a banana treat, on his way to being given a bath. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana 

Lanka speaks

Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris is seen here stressing the government's stance on requests made by the EU and the appointment of the expert panel by the UN. Pic Waruna Wanniarachchi

Long way to go

A student of Zahira College in Puttlam is seen here riding an elephant arpund the streets of the city, as a part of an event to raise money for the school. Pic by Hiran Jayasinghe

Riding the waves

The final day of the surfing competition spearheaded by SriLankan Airlines was held in Arugambay today. One of the participants is seen here showing his skills. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja  

Helping the needy

Monks of the Sambuddhaoke Viharaya are seen here seeking alms from companies to help people living in rural villages. Pic Pradeep Dilrukshana

Preparing for Poson

With Buddhists preparing to celebrate ‘Poson’ tomorrow, workers are seen here putting the final touches to a lantern to be put on display in Colombo. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Surf’s up!

Arugumbay comes alive with the much awaited international surfing competition spearheaded by SriLankan Airlines. The competition features 128 competitors from all parts of the globe including USA, Australia, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, UK and Germany.

Salman starts filming in Colombo

Bollywood actor Salman Khan is seen here with Indian actress Asin Thottumkal greeting crowds of fans on the first day of the shoot of their new movie Ready in Colombo today. Pics by Manoj Rathnayake  

Blessings for the unveiling

UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa unveiled his book “Civil Appeal” at the Foundation Institute in Colombo today. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasighe who attended the event and MP Rajapaksa can be seen here taking part in religious observances before the book launch. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

New leadership

Ven. Omalpe Sobitha thero who was appointed as the new party leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, Chairman of the JHU Ven. Athureliye Rathana thero and General Secretary of the party Minister Champika Ranawaka are seen here addressing the press after today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Salman arrives

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan arrived in the country today to start shooting his new movie ‘Ready’. Pics By Waruna Wanniarachchi

Barred!

The police is seen here standing guard in front of the University Grants Commission where the Inter University Students Federation is expected to stage a protest this afternoon. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi