Lending a helping hand

Villagers and some police officers in Wanatu Villuwa help an elephant that got stuck in a river to escape earlier today. Pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Think tank launched

The website of the  'Foreign Policy Think Tank' was launched this evening under the patronage of the Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris. The minister is seen here sitting with two officials from the External Affairs ministry. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Bandara meets President

UNP Puttlam district MP Palitha Range Bandara met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening. Bandara is seen here showing the injuries he sustained during an attack prior to the recent General elections. Pics by Sudath Silva

Clearing mines

An army deminer is seen here searching for land mines in Mullaitivu as the government looks to resettle more people displaced by the 30 year war which came to an end last year. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshan

Pondering his future

A young landmine victim is seen here seated outside his school in Iranamadu today seemingly pondering his future as the Air Force prepared to hand over a wheelchair to him and many other IDPs affected by mines. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Probing the crime

Police investigators are seen here probing a site in Puttalam where a robber had made his way into a store and adjoining house and burgled the premises late last night. Pic by Hiran Jayasingha

Gays in town

Sri Lanka’s gay community took to the stage last night in a fashion show titled ‘Rainbow runway’ where they urged equal rights on par with any other Sri Lankan. Picture shows some of the participants at the fashion show. Pic by Manoj Ratnayaka

Directing the army

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa opened the first Security Forces headquarters in Mullaitivu this morning. The Defence Secretary is seen here directing Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya while inspecting the area. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Cleaning the wreckage

Pakistani security personnel remove the wreckage of an exploded car in Quetta on June 20, 2010. A car bomb killed a Pakistani soldier and wounded 10 others in the southwestern city of Quetta. AFP  

Father’s day

Today is father’s day where fathers around the world are remembered by their children for their contribution to the family and society. But not all fathers can celebrate. Picture shows a destitute father looking at another father seemingly taking some goods home. Pic by Nisal Baduge

In religious observances

UNP Leader Ranil Wickramasingha and UNP MP Ruwan Wijewardena are seen here participating in a religious ceremony after the opening of an image house at the Kelaniya Temple today. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Namal in action

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapakse is seen here in action for the Navy SC Rugby team in the Caltex A Division Inter club league tournament at Longden place against CR & FC today. CR won the match.

A massive catch

The Special Task Force (STF) has recovered the largest haul of weapons since the end of the war in May last year. The recovery was made in Paranthan, Kilinochchi. Picture shows STF personnel inspecting the items. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

The messenger

A man dressed in traditioinal Kandyan costume and riding an elephant carries the commonwealth games torch as the Queen's Baton Relay makes it way through Colombo. The baton, which carries the queen's 'message to the athletes' to be read out at the opening ceremony of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, commenced its journey from Buckingham Palace on October 29.. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Royal rumble

Royal College emerged victors in the annual Michael Guneratne Trophy rugby encounter, between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College which was played at the Royal Sports Complex grounds this afternoon. Royal won with a convincing lead of 26 points with the final result being 38-12. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Akashi meets President

Special envoy of the Japanese Government Yasushi Akashi met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees earlier today. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L Peiris, Sec.to the President Lalith Weerathunga, Japanese Ambassador Kunio Takahashi, Sec, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Romesh Jayasinghe were also present.

Spiritual observances

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne greets a visiting religious delegation from India at the Maha Bodhi Centre in Colombo earlier today where a religious ceremony was held. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi 

A birthday under house arrest

Human right activist write messages for Myanmar opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi on a graffiti wall decorated with her portrait in Prague, as people around the world hold events on the eve of the 65th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in detention for almost 15 years, is expected to spend a quiet day at her lakeside mansion where she is kept without telephone or Internet access, cut off from the outside world.

Painted faces

A combination of pictures taken during the 2010 Football World Cup in June 2010 shows supporters from various countries. AFP

Collecting runs

Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan and teammate Upul Tharanga run between the wickets during the third One Day International (ODI) cricket match of the Asia Cup between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket stadium in Dambulla, some 150 kms north of Colombo, on June 18, 2010. Sri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat. AFP

Celebrating victory

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa rides in a jeep during the victory day parade in Colombo on June 18, 2010. Sri Lanka staged a delayed military parade to mark the first anniversary of the end of its 37-year civil war, with pressure mounting for a probe into alleged crimes during the conflict. Rajapakse took the salute at the “Victory Parade” attended by thousands of troops drawn from units that led the final assault against T

A war remembered

This television grab shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa hoisting the national flag during the war victory commemoration military parade held at Galle Face in Colombo this morning.

Make a wish

A fan kisses a replica World Cup trophy while waiting for the start of the 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match between Argentina and South Korea at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 17, 2010. REUTERS

Enduring sorrows

Distraught General Sarath Fonseka takes a moment to calm himself while paying his last respects to his mother-in-law today. Pics. by Pradeep Pathirana

Tough play

Minister of Higher Education S.B Dissanayake is seen here in deep thought while a Ministry official is seen stressing a point to the media. At the breifing the Minister clearly stated that Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) is not a recognized organization. Pics By Kushan Pathiraja

Facing the questions

United Nations Resident Co-ordinator Neil Buhne looks on as Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe addressed the media this evening. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Catching up on News

The convenor of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Udul Premarathne is seen here catching up on news while sitting in front of the University Grants Commission after a protest.   Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Voicing their anger

Students of the Ruhunu University in Matara staged a protest opposite the University premises today over an attack on a group of students. Picture shows the students during the protest. Pic by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

UN inspection

Visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe is seen here inspecting mine clearance equipment during a tour of the former LTTE held areas in Mullaitivu today. (UN pic)

Friendly dialogue

Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi and External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Peiris are seen here seemingly consulting each other during a media briefing in Colombo today. Pic by Nisal Baduge