From defence to cabinet

Former Defence Spokesperson and newly sworn in Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is seen here speaking to reporters in Colombo today at his maiden press briefing as the new cabinet spokesman. Pics by Kithsiri De Mel

Down came the rain

The busy streets of Colombo were in disarray as heavy rain began to come down since early this morning. Picture shows workers repairing the streets for the upcoming Indian movie awards going ahead with their work despite the downpour. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Gearing up for IIFA

Indian Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh Lara Datta and Boman Irani pose with Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena during a news conference to promote The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Mumbai today. 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 industry. The th

Despair

A young child who was among the people at Slave Island whose homes were destroyed on the basis they were unauthorized structures is seen here in tears while speaking to the media today. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel  

Praba's ailing mom

Parvathi Pillai, the ailing mother of slain LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabakaran is seen here in this Daily Mirror online exclusive photograph at a lodge in Colombo after arriving from Malaysia. Pillai was due to travel to her hometown in Jaffna this morning. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Amongst the people

DNA Leader Gen. Sarath Fonseka is seen hear leaving the Magistrate’s Court premises today while waving at the crowd which had gathered outside the premises after the Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate ordered the army to provide protection to him after he was placed under their custody Pic by Indraratna Balasuriya

The winning shot

Sri Lanka's Chamara Kapugedera celebrates after hitting a six off the final ball to win the match against India during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup cricket tournament in Gros Islet May 11, 2010. REUTERS

Sharing the limelight

IGP Mahinda Balasuriya holds two and a half year old Senuthi Maapalagama at a press conference where the police and Senuthi’s parents thanked everyone involved in finding the little girl who went missing on Sunday from the Kelaniya Temple. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Reunited

Rescued two and a half year old Senuthi Maapalagama is seen here cuddled by her parents after she was found today by the police. Her parents breathed a sigh of relief when little Senuthi was rescued after nearly two days. Pics by Jude Samantha  

Nature’s fury

Several residents living along the shores of Angulana felt the wrath of nature’s fury over the last two days as water levels in the sea rose resulting in the waves crashing into some of the houses. Picture shows residents inspecting what’s left of the damage. Pic by Kithsisri de Mel

Mystic powers

People gather at the Tuhala Witch Well in Estonia on May 6, 2010. Legend has it that when the witches of Tuhala bathe underground they bring alive the famed Witch's Well, a local spring which has become the focus of a dispute between nature lovers and mine companies. AFP PHOTO

Inspected by a specialist

Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-132 mission specialist Piers Sellers arrives at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 10, 2010. REUTERS

Excersizing their vote

Indigenous people wearing traditional costumes cast their votes at a polling center in Baguio City, north of Manila today.  National elections in the Philippines kicked off today with Benigno Aquino the favourite to win the presidency, but there were deep concerns violence and cheating could mar the vote. Forty million Filipinos are expected to turn up at polling stations across the sprawling archipelago to elect a successor to President Glo

Displaced return

More Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the North of the country were resettled today. Picture shows some of the displaced people preparing to return home. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

The love of a mom

As the world commemorated Mother’s day yesterday there is a section of mothers in our society who have little to celebrate. Picture shows those mothers working hard on the streets of Colombo to earn a living for their families. Pic by PradeepDilrukshana

Filipino voters in elections

Filipinos cast their votes in Tarlac province, in northern Philippines May 10, 2010. More than 50 million Filipinos voted for president, the highest position of the country, and nearly 18,000 other national and local positions on Monday. REUTERS

Thanks Mom

A woman labourer carries her daughter in a basket back to her home after finishing her work on Mother's Day near Jammu. REUTERS

Deep sea specimens

Jelly fishes float in a tank at Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium.  Six hundred specimens representing twelve different species from Japanese waters are currently on display. AFP  

Classic treasures on display

Car lovers of all ages were in for a treat as a range of fabulous old classic from Jaguars to Cadillacs went on display today in Colombo. Pics by Nisal Baduge

An elephant's wrath

Tragedy struck a village off Trincomalee when an elephant went on a rampage destroying one house, killing a soldier and leaving his four year old child in critical condition. Lance Corporal Nimal Karunathilake, who was on leave visiting his family, stepped out of his house with his four year old son to inspect a disturbance at his neighbor’s house early this morning only to be killed by angry elephant which also attacked his child.

Forced out

A boy carries some of his belongings as he and his family is forced to vacate their home by authorities who began demolishing unauthorized structures in the Slave Island area this afternoon. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Sri Lanka crush West Indies

Sri Lanka wrapped up a crushing 57-run win over a disappointingly lacklustre West Indies in Barbados last night after Mahela Jayawardene's sublime unbeaten 98 from 56 balls. - Cricinfo

Questioning the legality…

Unauthorized structures continue to be demolished in the City. Picture shows a man holding up what he says are documents proving his store, which was razed to the ground at Slave Island late this evening, was legally erected but illegally demolished. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana  

Life after war

Paranthan, a town in the Kilinochchi District was earlier a town heavily affected by the war. After the conclusion of the conflict last year the people in the area can be seen slowly getting back to their day to day activities. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

For my wife

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratna is seen here holding up a handbag which caught his attention during an exhibition by the Board of Investment (BOI) in Colombo today. External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris is also in the picture. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Taking over the media

Newly appointed Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who assumed duties at his new Ministry today, is seen here being greeted by MP Namal Rajapaksa, son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

The loser...

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah leave their airplane at Stansted airport, outside London, May 7, 2010. Britain's opposition Conservatives look on course to be the largest party in parliament after the closest election in three decades, but without a clear majority, leaving it uncertain who will eventually run the country.   REUTERS

Preparing for Mother's Day

Agricultural specialist agents Jose Garcia and Julie Nowiki of Customs and Border Protection carefully inspect roses shipped from Ecuador ahead of Mother's Day at a Customs and Border Patrol warehouse on May 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Agent Garcia uses a loop to look for insects after inspecting a bouquet of roses. Imported cut flowers are inspected to prevent pest and diseases from entering the United States. Mother's Day

Britain votes

A betting company displays the election odds outside a polling station in Spelsbury, Oxfordshire where Conservative Party leader David Cameron and wife Samantha Cameron cast their vote. Britain voted today in the closest general election for decades with opinion polls showing the opposition Conservatives winning most seats but not enough to form a government alone. AFP

Leading the pack

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who is on a tour to Killinochchi today, is seen here going past a portrait of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and troops who took part in the military victory against the LTTE. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana