From actors to cricketers

As the IIFA events begin in the island from tomorrow, a celebrity cricket match will be played amongst the stars and the Sri Lankan cricketers on Friday for charity. Seen here is Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi posing with Kumar Sangakkara and officials from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and UNICEF. Pix By Waruna Wanniarachchi

Too much opposition

A delegation of the Indian opposition BJP called on opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickramasingha in Colombo today. Picture shows the Indian delegation in talks with the UNP leader. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

The party begins...

IIFA Awards was announced today with a media meeting and later a bajan at Taj Samudra. Pictures shows the bajan recital titled Shri Lanka Ramayana Trails held a while ago at Taj Samudra. Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene and Minister for Resettlement Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan attended the function as chief guests. Pix by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Chennai celebrates Vesak

Sri Lankan dancers took to the streets of Chennai in a colorful Vesak Perahera organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana 

Bollywood in Lanka

The cream of Bollywood has begun to pour into Sri Lanka to attend the IIFA Awards this week. Picture shows Sri Lankan born Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez in conversation with Indian actor Vivek Oberoi at a function in Colombo this evening. Pic by Indraratna Balasuriya

IIFA Express

A policeman stands guard near the ‘Airport Express’ train which was launched today at the BIA just a day before Bollywood stars start arriving in the country to attend the IIFA which will be held in the island from Thursday to Saturday. Pics By Kithsiri De Mel 

Marking their land

People displaced by the fighting in the north continue to return home, one year after the war ended. Picture shows a group of returnees marking land in Mannar which once belonged to them. Pic by Hiran Jayasingha

Thai Prime Minister in Bangkok

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks with the media upon his arrival at the Parliament in Bangkok June 1, 2010. Abhisit is facing a no-confidence motion submitted by the parliamentary opposition for the current administration's suppression of a two-month protest that left at least 85 dead, according to local media. REUTERS

Getting ready for the big night

IIFA event organising staff are seen here testing lights and setting up the stage for the awards which are scheduled to be held from June 3 to 5. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Talks on progress

French Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Christine Robichon met with officials on a visit to the East where issues including development, reconstruction and political progress were discussed.

Running the sport

Sri Lanka cricket officials, the captain of the cricket team and the new chairman of selectors Aravinda de Silva are seen here together with sports Minister C.B Ratnayaka, ready to face the media on the future of Sri Lanka cricket. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Assuming duties

The newly appointed Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department K. M. S. Kandegedara assumed duties today. He is seen here taking part in religious observances prior to taking office. Pic By Kitheiri De Mel  

On the job

De-mining operations are moving ahead at a pace in the former rebel controlled area of Kilinochchi. Picture shows an army engineer operating a remote controlled de-mining machine to remove mines in the area. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

“Beach Closed”

Street Superintendent Chris Hernandez covers a sign announcing “Beach Closed” with black plastic in Grand Isle, Louisiana, May 30, 2010. The mayor of the city re-opened the beach after it had been closed for over a week due to oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil leak. REUTERS  

A closer look

Religious observances organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai were held in Chennai today to mark the Vesak celebrations while an eye clinic was also held concurrently. Picture shows a monk having his eye checked at the clinic. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

IIFA Twenty20

Indian Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara and Indian Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty hold up cricket jerseys at a news conference in Mumbai on May 29, 2010 to promote The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards. Sri Lanka will host top Indian movie stars for the annual “Bollywood Oscars” weekend that showcases one of the world's most ambitious and prolific film industries. The June 3-5 e

Out with their families

Massive crowds could be seen at Galle Face Green this afternoon enjoying the Vesak holidays. Pic by Varuna Vanniarachi

Makeover for Colombo

Picture shows construction workers hard at work carpeting the roads in front of the Colombo library. This is in line with the rapid beautification process which is being carried out by the CMC to make Colombo a more picturesque city . Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Spewing ash

The Tungurahua volcano spews ash and rocks during an eruption in Banos, about 130 km (81 miles) southeast of Quito, May 28, 2010. Tungurahua has been classed as active since 1999 and had a strong eruption in 2008. It is one of eight active volcanoes in the country.  REUTERS

Vesak in Chennai

Picture shows decoratively lit Vesak lanterns at the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner’s office in Chennai. The Vesak festival was celebrated by the Lankan officials and residents of the Deputy High Commissioner’s office. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

100 feet long

A  Buddhist flag 100 feet in length and 50 feet in width was displayed in Dematagoda today, celebrating the Vesak festival. Buddhists around the country commemorated Vesak, the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Pandols adorn the night

Vesak pandols lit up most parts of the city in Colombo last nigh as Buddhists celebrated the Vesak festival. Picture shows some of the pandols in Colombo. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

A hand in cooking

Women are known to be the best cooks but these men were seen trying to show they could match up to it as they prepared meals for the Vesak food stall (dansal) as part of the Vesak celebrations in Puttalam. Pic by Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha

Foreigners celebrate Vesak

Even foreigners took the time to pay a visit to a ‘Banis dansela’ in Kollupitiya today. Pics. By Waruna Wanniarachchi

A walk for peace

A peace walk was staged between Point Pedro in the north and the southern tip of Sri Lanka. Seen here are the participants waving the national flag while taking part in the walk. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vesak lights

Buddhist devotees are seen here lighting oil lamps and candles at Temples around the City today to mark Vesak which commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha, his enlightenment and passing away into Parinibbana. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

America's new Idol

American Idol winner Lee DeWyze (R) and host Ryan Seacrest stand onstage after the announcement of the winner at the American Idol Grand Finale 2010 in Los Angeles May 26, 2010.  REUTERS

Who will it be?

Finalist Crystal Bowersox and Alanis Morissette (R) perform at the American Idol Grand Finale 2010 in Los Angeles May 26, 2010.  REUTERS

Happy Vesak

  Buddhist monks in Puttalam ad the final touches to Vesak lanterns as they prepare for the long weekend of Vesak celebrations which begins today. Pics by Hiran Priyankara 

The final touches

A young man is seen here putting the final touches to a pandol in Colombo to mark the Vesak festival which falls tomorrow. Pics by Nisal Baduge, Pradeep Dilrukshana