Bundles of votes

Postal voting for the upcoming General election commenced today and will continue till tomorrow. A soldier of an army camp in Colombo can be seen here making preparations for those soldiers who are on election duty to use their franchise. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Fighting fire with fire

Illegal fire arms are burnt in Nairobi as part of a campaign by the Kenyan government to mop-up illicit small arms and light weapons that are at the centre of increasing violent crime in Kenya and Africa.

Baby elephants return home

Pictured here is the release of the 9th batch of baby elephants into the wild by the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home which took place yesterday in Udawalawe National Park. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Discussing the future of mother Lanka

Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha, Colombo district candidate for the UNF, moderator Professor Sudantha Liyanage and Environment and Natural Recourc Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at the debate organised yesterday at the Mahaweli Centre by AIM 2020 Assembly of Professionals to Discover the Future of Mother Sri Lanka. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Countdown to the polls

Polling cards for the upcoming general elections were distributed to some of the registered voters today. Picture shows a postman handing over the polling card to a lady in Colombo this morning. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Happy birthday Ranil

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasingha celebrated his birthday today. The opposition leader is seen here partaking in traditional meals with UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya at the UNP headquarters to celebrate his birthday today. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

A different kind of rage...

Lava spews out of a mountain on in Hvolsvöllur in the region of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland. The small volcano eruption that forced more than 600 people to flee their homes in Iceland over the weekend could conceivably set off a larger volcano. AFP

Outrage!

The National Sanga Council held a press conference today where they expressed their outrage at the controversial video featuring Akon in which scantily clad women danced with a Buddhist statue in the backdrop. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Free Fonseka !

 A protest was held in front of the Fort Railway station this morning against the Court martial of General Sarath Fonseka. A group of monks can be seen here holding banners calling for his release. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pakistan National Day

The 70th National Day of Pakistan was celebrated at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo today. The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Mrs. Mariam Saeed is seen here hoisting the national flag at the event this morning. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

China internet to Hong Kong

A man poses next to a platform of Google logo in front of its China headquarters building in Beijing March 23, 2010.  Google Inc moved its China Internet search service to Hong Kong in a bid to resolve its dispute with Beijing over censored search results while keeping a foot in the world's largest Internet market. REUTERS

Under the gaze of his grandfather

Rukmal Senanayake, grandson of late D.S Senanayake walks away from the D.S Senanayake monument at Independence Square after placing flowers in commemoration of his grandfather's 58th death anniversary today. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Remembering the fallen

The 146th Police Commemoration Day was celebrated today at the Trincomalee Police Headquarters with IGP Mahinda Balasuriya as chief guest. Sergeant Sabhan, killed during a raid to arrest a notorious criminal Utuwankande Saradiel in 1864 was the first police officer killed on duty.

Attack on media!

An armed group believed to be allegedly associated with a Deputy Minister attacked the MTV/MBC office at Braybrooke Place today severely damaging the place. Stones were thrown inside the premises damaging vehicles and the propoerty. Pix By Nisal Baduge

Remembering the brave

The 146th Police Commemoration Day was celebrated yesterday at the Trincomalee Police Headquarters with IGP Mahinda Balasuriya as the chief guest. Sergeant Sabhan who was killed during a raid to arrest a notorious criminal Utuwankande Saradiel in 1864 was the first police officer who was killed on duty. Since then 3069 police officers including women officers have been killed on duty. The relations of the fallen heroes attended the commemora

Save our water

Today is “World Water Day” the day is designated to celebrate the importance of fresh water and fresh water management. A group of students can be seen here protesting today to highlight the importance of the World’s water resources. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi     

In bloom

Visitors take photographs of flowers on display during the Hong Kong Flower Show at Victoria Park. The event is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to promote horticulture and the awareness of greening and runs from March 19-28.  AFP

Doggy's day out

 A dobberman gets a pat on the back at Colombo's annual dog show which was held today, organised by the Kennel Association of Sri Lanka. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

The big haul

The Special Task Force (STF) attached to the Vavuniya STF camp recovered Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG’s), hand grenades and jhonny mines during a search operation carried out in Vellamullivaikkal on Saturday evening.  Seen here STF personnel inspecting the recovered weapons. Pic By Romesh Madusanka

The battle continues...

Anoma Fonseka, wife of (Rtd.) General Sarath Fonseka gestures at a press conference today where she discussed her pending questioning this evening by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). It was also announced that ex JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake would be questioned by the CID next week. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

President rallies the Hill Country

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed a public rally at the Nuwara Eliya  Municipal ground this weekend. Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and the Nuwara Eliya District UPFA Candidates also were present.

Walking the line

Onlookers gather as Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province.

Under water!

Flood water surrounds a home near Fargo, North Dakota. The Red River is expected to crest at Fargo this weekend at about 38 feet, the fourth highest crest on record, but still about 3 feet short of last year’s record crest of nearly 41 feet. AFP

Just keep swimming...

A goldfish swims in a bowl as Iranians shop ahead of Noruz festivities in Tehran's Darakeh district today. Traditionally, goldfish are among the items that Iranians buy during Noruz celebrations. The feast, which coincides with the vernal (Spring) equinox, is a Zoroastrian tradition still celebrated by Iranians even after Islam. AFP

Red anger

Thousands of anti-government protesters gather by their motorcycles before marching through central Bangkok today. REUTERS

'Noddy'

The world's tallest horse Luscombe Nodram, or 'Noddy', stands with his owner Jane Greenman before they depart on major tour which will include appearances at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and Brisbane, in Melbourne in March yesterday. The Shire horse is seven-years-old, stands at 20.2 hands high (2.05 metres) and at 1.5 tonnes weighs three times more than the average thoroughbred racehorse. The Shire horse is now endangered with approx

Fishing for a living

The Pooneryn lagoon which was earlier a base for the Sea Tigers has now been opened for the fishing community.  A local fisherman can be seen here taking use of the relaxed laws. Pix by Romesh Madushanka 

In the spotlight

The petition against the Court martial of General Sarath Fonseka forwarded by his wife Anoma Fonseka was re-fixed for March 25th by the Supreme Court today. Mrs Fonseka can be seen here addressing the media while leaving the court premises. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana     

Teaching a bird to fly

A child trains his racing pigeon at the Matraman district in Jakarta. Some things in the central Jakarta district of Matraman have barely changed since the late 1960s, when United States President Barack Obama lived and played there. - REUTERS

Building new bridges

President Mahinda Rajapaksa reaches out his hand to Mr. Kunio Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan at the highway and Peace Bridge opening held today. The highway  and bridge was funded by the Japanese Government.  (Pics. President's Media)