Violating election laws

Despite Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayaka issuing instructions for all polls related posters and cutouts to be removed several posters could still be seen along the streets of Colombo. Picture shows a wall adjoining a street in Colombo covered with election posters. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Hostage drama

In this picture taken a Chinese man holds a woman hostage at knife point during an attempted robbery outside a bank in Wuxi, in eastern China's Jiangsu province. Police managed to overwhelm the man and free the woman after an one-hour stand-off. AFP

Gold on wheels...

The new Saab 9-5 model is displayed on the exhibition stand during the second media day of the 80th Geneva Auto Show at the Palexpo in Geneva March 3, 2010. Carmakers will be keen to show off new green technologies at the Geneva Auto Show, opening this week, as economic uncertainties and waning scrapping schemes make forecasting sales trends difficult. REUTERS

Looking after his Ministers

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here visiting Minister of Transport Dullas Alahaperuma this afternoon, who was hospitalized due to an illness he suffered few days ago. Pix courtesy Presidential Unit 

Jumma Nation wake up!

Jumma buddhist student monks protested outside the Viharamahadevi Park today against the Human Rights Violations and and Land Grabbings being conducted against the Jumma buddhists in Bangladesh. Pics by Indraratne Balasuriya.

Wading through the waters

An Asian man crosses a flooded street in the Gulf emirate of Sharjah during a rain storm. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates caused flooding, traffic jams, auto accidents and school closures, while some residents of Sharjah were trapped in their homes by high waters. AFP

Euro slump..

A picture taken on March 2, 2010 in Paris shows a one euro coin displayed in front of a one dollar note. The euro slumped to its lowest level in more than nine months against the dollar on March 2, 2010 as the shared eurozone currency was plagued by concerns about the Greek debt crisis, traders said.  AFP

Future football?

Football playing robots perform for visitors at the world's biggest high-tech fair, the CeBIT today in the northern German city of Hanover.  Some 4,157 companies from 68 countries are displaying their latest gadgets at the fair which continues until March 6. - AFP

Calls for peaceful elections

Religious leaders comprising of clergy belonging to all religions expressed fear that the upcoming elections would not be a free and fair election. They further called on all party leaders not to allow their candidates to engage in violence. Seen here are religious leaders at the press conference Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

White Tiger!

  Two white tigers were given to Sri Lanka from China as part of an animal exchange programme in which Sri Lanka had sent to China five monkey species. Seen here are the two white tigers at the Dehiwala Zoological gardens.  Pics. By Samantha Perera

Fishy business

A cleaner examines dead fish collected from the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon in Rio de Janeiro where about 37 tons of fishes were found dead. Experts say that the death of the fish could be the result of an abrupt temperature change, falling 10 degrees centigrade in 24 hours or possibly due to pollution. REUTERS

A celebration of colour

  Indian women smear themselves with coloured powder as they celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colours in Mumbai today. Holi is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India at the end of winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month, which usually falls in the later part of February or in March. - AFP  <??>

Colonial rulers taken to task

A protest was staged by the National Freedom Front (NFF) opposite the British High Commission in Colombo today against the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary over their participation at a Tamil event in London. NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa also participated at the protest. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Civil administration continues

The establishment of civil administration in former LTTE controlled areas in the North continued today with another police station being opened in the area by Police Chief IGP Mahinda Balasuriya. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

Tsunami aftermath

  A view of debris on the coast, close to the epicenter of an earthquake that generated waves flooding many towns to the north and south, in Pelluhue February 28, 2010. Chilean rescuers used shovels and sledgehammers Sunday to find survivors of a huge earthquake in Chile that unleashed a Pacific tsunami and triggered looting by desperate and hungry residents. REUTERS

Wilpattu reopened to the public

The Wilpattu National Park was re-opened to the public yesterday after 25 years. The park was closed due to the security situation which prevailed in the country during the war. Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka can be seen here at the opening ceremony. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Preparations for tonight

Tonight is the final night of the annual perahera (pageant) of the Gangarama Buddhist Temple in Colombo. An elephant can be seen here being given a thorough wash before the final preparations for the pageant take place. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Offerings for Lord Buddha

Today is Madin Full moon Poya day; a devotee can be seen here offering flowers at the Gangarama temple this morning while taking part in religious observances. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sri Lankan culture

Day one of the annual perahera (pageant) of the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo was held this evening amidst a large crowd including foreign tourists and VIPs. Picture shows a cultural display at the pageant. Pic by Waruna Vanniarachchi

An expression of love

A Muslim woman attends a mass prayer at Silang Monas Park to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's birthday called Maulid Nabi in Jakarta. Muslim Indonesians along with thousands of Muslim people around the world celebrated Maulid Nabi expressing their love and devotion for the last prophet. - AFP

Global warming?

Photo shows the Mertz Glacier, a 160-kilometer spit of floating ice protruding into the Southern Ocean from East Antarctica. Researchers have said that the iceberg the size of Luxembourg - or some 2550 square kilometres (985 square miles) in size - knocked loose from the Antarctic continent earlier this month

In the eyes of a child

President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in his son Namal Rajapaksa’s election campaign in Tangalle today. The President is seen here greeting a child during the event.  Pic by Nalin Hewapathirana

Nominations from the DNA

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Blessings for the elections

UPFA candidates who handed over there nominations for the upcoming General Elections in the Colombo District are seen here engaged in religious observances at Gangarama temple this afternoon.Pic by Nisal Baduge

UNP hand over nominations

The United National Party handed over its nominations in Gampaha today. Seen here are UNP members Karu Jayasuriya, John Amaratunga and Ruwan Wijeyawardene. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana.

Largest solar boat

  The largest solar boat in the world was built by the shipyard of Knierim Yachtbau in Kiel, Germany. The 100-foot-long and 52-foot-wide catamaran, topped with about 5,380 square feet of photovoltaic solar panels, will start its maiden voyage around the world in 2011. Reuters

Cheeky smiles

A litter of eight newborn Cheetah cubs huddle together at Boras Zoo in Boras. The six males and two females were born to their mother Luang at the zoo last week, zoo officials said. REUTERS

All smiles

Several UPFA candidates handed over their nominations for the upcoming General election at the Colombo District Secretariat this afternoon. UPFA candidate including Susil Premajayantha, Bandula Gunawardena and Duminda Silva can be seen here after handing over their nomination papers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Back in familiar waters

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) brought twenty-two Sri Lankan fishermen safely home after their release from Indian custody yesterday. The fishermen and four fishing vessels were handed over to SLN officials by the Indian Coast Guard Ship "Kittur Chenamma" at the Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the seas north of Kankasanthurei. Pix courtesy Navy.lk

Gliding through the air

Germany's Johannes Rydzek competes in the Nordic Combined Team Ski Jumping at Whistler Olympic Park during the Vancouver Winter Olympics.  AFP