A friendly call

President of the Asian Development Bank, Haruhiko Kuroda called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today. Ministers, Dinesh Gunawardane, Mahinda Yapa Abewardane, Deputy Ministers, Sarath Amunugama, Chandrasiri Gajaweera, Secretary Ministers of Finance P. D. Jayasundara and Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivad Kabral were also present. Pix by Sudath Silva

Helping those in need

The military is continuing to offer assistance to the families affected by the recent floods. Picture shows troops handing out food packets to some affected families in Nawaloka today. Pic by Samantha Perera

Blessings for Vesak

As the country prepares for Vesak, 45 young Bhuddist monks are seen here attending an alms giving held at a five star hotel today. Pics by Nisal Baduge

I want a mask too!

As the wet weather continues, an owl, who clearly prefers keeping its wings dry has made a Vesak mask stall in Matara its new abode. The owner of the stall says he has attempted to chase the owl away but to no avail adding that the bird returns to his stall at dawn and lies amongst the masks Pic by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Blessings to the Nation

A police officer gives donations to Thai monks during a joint mass prayer at Lumpini Park in Bangkok on May 26, 2010 to bless the Nation a week after a deadly anti-government protest crackdown. Thai authorities extended the curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces for four nights, as they seek to restore order following weeks of protests against the administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. AFP PHOTO

Vesak preparations

Seen here are half finished Pandols that are being created for Vesak celebrations in Borella. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

Hearing them out

Thousands of employees and directors of many leading companies, lawyers, doctors and other professionals protested today in front of Temple Trees and later went in to meet and hand over a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting him not to proceed with the proposed CEPA agreement.

A firm demand

The nurses association today held a protest in front of the national hospital, Colombo against the Ministry of the Higher Education for reducing the course period of the Allied Health Services degree from four to three years. Pic. by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Being small is no barrier

A 14 year boy of Samagi Mawatha Angulana is seen here making a large lantern to mark Vesak which falls later this week. The boy’s father said he spent nearly 200,000 for the lantern. Pic by Kusal Chamath

A plea from the heart

The families of those reported missing from Vavuniya and Kilinochchi during the war took to the streets in Vavuniya today urging the government to find their loved ones. A child is seen here in tears during the protest. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

Looking for a solution

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya is seen here scrolling through a book during a press briefing in Colombo today. Pic by Kithsiri DeMel  

In full swing

Students of the University of Colombo practice for their Colours Night scheduled to be held on May 31. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Anniversary memories

An Israeli soldier holds his camera as he patrols the border with Lebanon in front of Kfarkila village in south Lebanon May 23, 2010. Monday marks the 10-year anniversary of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. REUTER

Vesak for everyone

With the Vesak festival being held next week, people around the country can be seen preparing and buying Vesak decorations. The picture shows residents of the Victoria Home for the disable making some Vesak lanterns for the upcoming festival. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi  

The age-old tradition of “Pinda-pathe”

The annual “Pinda-pathe” from Ashokaramaya to Isipathnaramaya in Havelock town was held this morning by Buddhist monks. More than fifty monks took part in this age-old tradition while the public contributed. The picture shows the monks making their way to Isipathnaramaya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vesak around the corner

  With the Vesak festival around the corner people can be seen shopping for Vesak decorations and cards around the city  of   Colombo. Picture shows some military officers shopping for Vesak decorations in Kirulapana. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Fix our road

A picketing was organized by a group of people in Puttalam after a road which was constructed for the convenience of the public in the area is in a deteriorating state three months after its completion. Seen here are the residents in the area picketing regarding the sub standard of the road which took three years to complete. Pix by Hiran Jayasinghe

Victory cry

Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after defeating Germany's Kristina Barrois in the final of the Strasbourg International tennis tournament on May 22.  REUTERS

Best of the best

A passing out parade for the 40th batch of Commando troops took place at the Uva-Kudaoya Commando Training School today.  A Parent of a passed out soldier can be seen here pining the Commando badge at the ceremony.  Pix courtesy Army

The not-so-lucky

Life goes on for shanty dwellers who reside along the railway lines in Kelaniya despite the monsoons rains that have left their modest homes submerged and in some cases, completely destroyed. Families gather outside and dry their clothes on train tracks during sporadic bouts of sunshine.  Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Inspecting the damage

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Tissera Samarasinghe inspected some of the damage caused by the floods in the outskirts of Colombo. The Navy chief is seen here monitoring a navy team assisting some of the affected civilians. Pic courtesy Navy

Seagull nebula

This NASA image obtained May 21, 2010 shows the Seagull nebula, seen in this infrared mosaic from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, drawing its common name from it resemblance to a gull in flight. The image spans an area about seven times as wide as the full moon, and three times as high (3.55 by 1.37 degrees), straddling the border between the constellations Monoceros and Canis Major (the Big Dog). Astronomers catalog t

Voicing their protest

The Inter-University Students Federation conducted a protest this evening, voicing their displeasure over the police using force on the students when they taken to the streets. Seen here is a protester participating in the protest outside the Viharamahdevi Park. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

By his side

Anoma Fonseka, MP Tiran Alles and a daughter of General Sarath Fonseka can be seen here attending court today. The Appeal Court permitted the first Court Martial against General Fonseka to continue after it was suspended earlier this month. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi

A feast in the rain

As the thundershowers continue islandwide, people have resorted to traveling in boats as the water level rises. Seen here are two men enjoying their lunch on a boat as they remain surrounded with flood waters. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Pradeep Pathirana, Hiran Jayasinghe

All ears

Military spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasingha, Media minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Director General of the Media Center for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle are seen here focused on a question being raised by a journalist at a press briefing in Colombo today. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Not a dampener

With the Vesak festival at hand decorations are beginning to come up in Colombo despite the heavy rain experienced over the past few days. Picture shows Air Force personnel putting up Vesak lanterns in Colombo this morning. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Debris of a storm

Indian people clear the debris at the site of an uprooted tree and a collapsed buliding after a dust storm in Nababganj village, some 24 kms from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, on May 20, 2010. At least nine persons, including two women and a young girl, were killed in the dust storm that hit the district's trans-Ganga region, the Press Trust of India reported. AFP PHOTO  

Looking up to him

Young children who are among those affected by the floods in parts of Colombo are seen here taking a look at UNP leader Ranil Wickramasingha when he visited some of the affected families today.  Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana 

In the middle

Police officers are seen here making every effort to hold back university students from entering the premises of the University Grants Commission at Ward place this evening to stage a protest. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi