Obama's egg rollin'

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) points to an egg as he watches a race during the 2010 Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 5, 2010.  REUTERS

Lift off!

The space shuttle Discovery STS-131 lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida today. REUTERS

Handing over the report

Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal handed over a copy of the Central Bank Report for the year 2009 to President Mahinda Rajapaksa today.  Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

The shutter “bugged”

A photographer attached to an international news agency is seen here being man handled by police who forcefully removed a group of monks who staged a hunger strike in Fort today. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Blessings from the sky

Adding a new feature to the election campaign a hot air balloon was released this morning from Homagama by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka bearing his preferential number. Two JHU supporters on board the balloon had sprinkled pirith pan (blessed water) from the skies of Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

"petty gossip"

Pope Benedict XVI embraces Italian cardinal Angelo Sodano as he leads the Easter mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican April 4, 2010. REUTERS

In full flow

Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardena is seen here in full flow during his 110 not out for the Kings XI against the Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL match today which the Kings won by 8 wickets. (Image IPL)

Under renovation

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) is currently under renovation. Seen here workers at the site engaged in renovating the BMICH entrance area. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Commemorating Sir Kotelawala

A ceremony to commemorate the 113th birth anniversary of General Sir John Kotelawala was held in Rathmalana this morning. The Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya can be seen here laying a wreath of flowers at Sir Kotelawala’s memorial at the event.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Easter mass

Pope Shenouda III, the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Egypt, attends the Easter midnight mass at the main Coptic Cathedral of Saint Marcos in Cairo April 3, 2010.  REUTERS

Bohra celebrations

The Bohra community in Sri Lanka took part in a colorful procession along the Galle Road in Colombo today (Saturday) to celebrate the 99th birthday of their international spiritual leader Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. Picture shows some of the community members at the procession. Pic by Waruna Vanniarachchi

Paying tribute to Mother Mary

Thousands of Roman Catholic worshippers follow a procession of the movement of the Tuan Ma (Mother Mary) statue in Larantuka town, Indonesia's Flores island.  They believe the statue, which was founded in Flores in 1510, formed the basis of the religion that has replaced animism on the island. Government data in 2008 showed that more than 80 percent of residents on Flores Island are Roman Catholic in a predominantly Muslim country. RE

Stranded elephant

A baby elephant which was found stranded in Trincmalee is seen here being cared for by wildlife authorities after it was handed over to them this evening. Pic by Amadoru Amarageeva

Indonesian style

The Indonesian Embassy in Colombo and the Indonesian Women’s Association held their annual bazaar at the Indonesian Embassy premises today with a variety of Indonesian and Sri Lankan products on sale including garments, batiksm food items, handicrafts and books. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Monks demand General's release

A group of monks affiliated to the opposition group JVP began a fast unto death campaign in Fort this morning demanding the release of General Sarath Fonseka who is under military custody over an alleged corrupt arms deal.

The big one!

 Children look at a sphere sculpture made from Easter eggs on the day of its unveiling at Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra cathedral in Kiev today. The artwork, created by Ukrainian artist Oksana Mas, is made from 3000 wooden Easter eggs painted in traditional Ukrainian style.  REUTERS

A golden ticket

The official mascot for the Cricket world cup to be held in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh next year was launched this evening. Tickets for the world cup were also released at the ceremony. President Mahinda Rajapaksa can bee seen here being handed one of the golden tickets for the tournament by the organizers. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

In the name of Christ

Christians around the country commemorated Good Friday today. Picture shows devotees of the Sacred Heart Church taking part in a procession in observance of Good Friday in Rajagiriya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Battle for the Cup

A media conference was held in Colombo today to announce the launch of the ticket and mascot for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup to be worked off in South Asia including Sri Lanka. Picture shows the ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and other officials holding aloft the World Cup at the event. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Political track

Kegalle district UPFA candidate and former National athlete and Olympic medalist Susanthika Jayasingha is seen here in here new role campaigning for the upcoming polls in Mahahena, Dedigama. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

The sacrifice

Christians all over the world commemorated Good Friday today. Picture shows a drama depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ being staged at ST. Michael’s and All Angels Church Polwatta this morning. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel 

Remembering Christ

Members of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Cursillo foundation kneel as they pray during a procession in observance of Good Friday in Boac town of Marinduque island, central Philippines, April 2, 2010. REUTERS

Boxing greats facilitated

The Inter Unit Boxing Tournament held today facilitating Pattiarachchi D.S who won the Bronze medal in the 5th Common Wealth Games and other awards handed out to the event’s winners. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Experiencing “Yalpanam”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa smiles during a religious ceremony in the Nallur Kandaswamy Hindu Tamil temple after he attended a political rally ahead of the parliamentary elections, in Jaffna about 303Km (188miles) north of Colombo today. REUTERS  

Learning the traditions

Students of Vidura College in Narahempita were today educated on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year traditions in preparation for the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Picture shows the children partaking in the traditional meals. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Beauty and innocence

A Blue Morpho butterfly sits on the face of 5-year-old Ettie Wooldridge at the Natural History Museum in London March 31, 2010. A butterfly house will be opened to the public at the museum, housing butterflies from four continents, until September.  REUTERS

Right to live with the pen

A public meeting was held to protest against the disappearance of Lanka E-News journalist and cartoonist, Prageeth Eknaligoda at the Public Library, Colombo today organized by the Media Organization Collective and Citizen for Freedom. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Students demand more facilities

Students from the Geomatics Faculty, University of Sabaragamuwa protested today in front of the University Grants Commission requesting for proper academic facilities including a laboratory to continue their studies.  –  Pic. by Kithsiri de Mel

Explosives unearthed

A stock of over 270kilos of high-powered explosives used by the LTTE Sea Tiger force in suicide attacks were recovered by the STF in Vavuniya during a search operation in Pudumathalan area on information from a displaced person in the Settikulam refugee camp. The explosives were packed in polythene bags and buried about 6 feet under ground. Pics by Romesh Madushanka  

Lanka generates petrol

Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka is seen here pumping petrol made from plastic and polythene waste into a motorcycle at the Central Environment Authority managed pilot plant in Yatiyantota, Kegalle. pic by Varuna Wanniarchchi