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  

Enjoying life

Baby male Asian Elephant 'Pathi Harn' (L) plays in the mud with 'Luk Chai' at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, in this March 31, 2010 handout photo. Mother elephant Porntip gave birth to the calf at Sydney's main zoo on March 10, surprising vets and keepers who on March 8 declared the baby had died in the womb. REUTERS

Lighting up lives

An autistic child touches an electric globe at the Consulting Centre for Autism in Amman, one of the few places in the country that helps children with the condition. The world will mark World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.   REUTERS

Lights, camera, action!

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened Ranmihitanna Mahinda Rajapaksa Tele Cinema Park today. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and other distinguished ministers were also present. Pix by Sudath Silva

A green protest

United National Party (UNP) supporters protest at the dismantling of a stage erected in Rajagiriya for a UNP rally earlier today by laying and sitting accross the street demanding the equipment be brought back. Picture shows some of the protestors. Pics by Indika Sri Aravinda

Media freedom!

A protest was held in front of the Fort Railway station by “Journalists against Suppression” this morning urging the government to conduct the necessary investigations into the recent attacks on the media. Several journalists can be seen here taking part in the protest. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

On two wheels

Two Nepalese nationals began a bicycle journey from Colombo to Jaffna this morning with the aim to save the environment. This tour is the result of the realization of youth activism for the protection of the global eco-system and the collective responsibility for the ever-degrading environment. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi  

Permission to fish

Indigenous Zoque men carry baskets containing flowers and candles as offerings inside the cave of Villa Luz, during a ritual called “The fishing of the blind Sardine” in Tapijualpa. The ceremony is held during Holy week and is of pre-Hispanic origin when people asked deities for permission to fish inside the cave.  REUTERS

Easter eggs Hungarian style

Jozsef Koszpek holds an ostrich egg decorated with 1,119 miniature metal horseshoes in Szekesfehervar, 60 km (37 miles) west from Budapest today. The decorations are based on an old Hungarian Easter tradition. REUTERS

Laying the first stone

Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Cabraal is handed a mini shovel as he helps lay the foundation stone for Hotel Nallur in Jaffna held earlier today. The hotel, a 3 star, is the first of its kind to be built in Jaffna in over 60 years. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Korean festival

A group of Korean residents in Sri Lanka held a Korean festival in Colombo today where several items were sold at reduced rates. Picture shows the Koreans selling some of the items during the festival. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Stressing a point

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva is seen here stressing a point during a press briefing in Colombo today. The JVP claimed there are attempts by the government to introduce a new devolution package to please India. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Religious observances

Today is Bak full moon Poya day. Picture shows Buddhist devotees worshiping at the Kelaniya Buddhist Temple this morning to mark the day. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Search For Survivors

South Korean Marines search for possible survivors and bodies from the sunken naval ship Cheonan, in the waters off Baengnyeongdo, an island near the border with North Korea March 29, 2010. The South Korean naval ship sank on Friday night near the disputed maritime border with the North and 46 sailors were reported missing.  REUTERS  

Red protest

Red Shirts supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans as they protest at the 11th Infantry Barracks in Bangkok on March 28, 2010. Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and anti-government protesters edged closer to landmark talks aimed at ending two weeks of mass rallies.  AFP PHOTO

A glowing celebration

Pakistani devotees gather at the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Hussain popularly known Madhu Lal Hussain during a festival in Lahore to mark his 422th birth anniversary. The 422th annual three day festival of Hazrat Shah Hussain began on March 27.   AFP

The final march?

Red Shirts supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans as they protest at the 11th Infantry Barracks in Bangkok today. Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and anti-government protesters edged closer to landmark talks aimed at ending two weeks of mass rallies.  AFP

Worried about her husband’s health

Wife of detained General (retired) Sarath Fonseka, Anoma Fonseka adresses the media today at the General’s office in Colombo. She claimed that her husband was not receiving medical treatment and is suffering from respiratory problems and severe cold systems. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A common man?

Main opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe is seen here with shanty dwellers at Torrington Square earlier today where he presented supporters his manifesto for the upcoming general elections. By Varuna Wanniarachchi

Green gold?

A stevia plant, known as “sweet herb”, or “ka´a he´e” in the native Guarani language, is seen on a plantation in Caacupe, 50 kms east of Asuncion, Paraguay. A sweetener derived from the South American native herb stevia is taking the global marketplace by storm, on the promise of a new zero-calorie product that also has the appeal of being natural. AFP  

Celebrating Avurudu

The "Avurudu Pola" organized by the staff guild of Wycherley International School was held at the Wycherley school premises today. Students can be seen here taking part in traditional Avurudu games at the event. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi 

Earth Hour

Twilight sets on Auckland as it approaches Earth Hour (top) and the lights go off on Auckland as it enters Earth Hour (bottom) March 27, 2010 in this combination picture. Earth Hour, when everyone is asked to turn off lights for an hour from 8.30 p.m. local time, is a show of support for tougher action to confront climate change. Viaduct Harbour is seen in the foreground, the Sky Tower at right. REUTERS

Easter art

An artisan paints an Easter egg with drawing ink during the yearly Ester market at the museum of ethnology in Hamburg, northern Germany on March 26, 2010. Some 40 exhibitors present their Easter art at the 26th North German Easter Market, taking place from March 25 to March 28, 2010. AFP

Protecting the seas

A vessel from Sri Lanka's newly established Coastguard unit carries out a patrol of the sea port of Colombo on March 26, 2010. The fledgling coastguard inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 5, is scheduled to build up to a force of over 1,000 sailors with a fleet of about 30 craft becoming the island's first non-military law enforcement agency at sea.  AFP

Standoff

Bhikku Union of the Colombo University and the police were involved in a standoff today with the monks attempting to reach Temple Trees. The Bhikku Union was protesting against the establishment of a private Bhikku academy. The protesting monks and police can be seen here during the protest in Colpetty. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Religious advice

Anoma Fonseka, the wife of General Sarath Fonseka handed over the election manifesto of the Democratic National Alliance to the Catholic Bishop Malcolm Ranjith in Colombo today. Mrs. Fonseka is seen here in conversation with the Bishop during the meeting. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Back to normalcy

The government has decided to repair all the vehicles and the property damaged during the war against the LTTE and hand them over back to the civilian owners. Picture shows Northern governor G.A Chandrasiri inspecting some of the damaged vehicles in Mullaitivu. Pictures by Romesh Madushanka

Football for Hope

A young boy plays with a football on March 25, 2010 during the official ceremony to inaugurate the site in the Alexandra township in Johannesburg which will host the 'Football for Hope Festival' from 4 to 10 July ahead the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. AFP

Advice for the future

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is seen here sharing a light joke with Namal Rajapaksa, son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a Buddhist monk at a book launch in Colombo today. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Giving blood

Over 50 employees from the U.S. Embassy volunteered to donate blood to the Colombo National Blood Bank during the Embassy’s Annual Health Fair. Picture shows US Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis donating blood at the event