Mumbai bomb explosion

A car is seen damaged at the site of a bomb explosion in the Dadar area of Mumbai July 13, 2011. Three explosions rocked crowded districts of India's financial capital of Mumbai during rush hour on Wednesday, killing at least eight people, media said, in the biggest attack on the city since 2008 assaults blamed on Pakistan-based militants. REUTERS

Contraband seized

Three men were arrested and 500,000 illegally imported cigarettes under the brand name Gold Seal seized from a house in Negombo by the Excise Department Narcotics Division today. The cigarettes valued at Rs.4 million were packed in 2,500 cartons and found hidden in a shop. The tax loss on this illegal imported consignment of cigarettes had been estimated at Rs.7.5 million. The pictures seen here are the Excise Department officials checking the

Pinda Paatha procession in Fort

The Fort Sambhuddhaloka Vihara organized a Pinda Paatha procession for 100 monks in the Fort area today. Seen here is a novice monk collecting alms from a Finance Ministry employee. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Minister takes them for a ride

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama this morning introduced brand new luxury buses for six bus routes Moratuwa-Fort, Kesbewa-Fort, Negambo-Fort, Nittambuwa-Fort, Kaduwela-Fort and Homagama-Fort. Minister Welgama went on a trial ride with other ministry officials at the Galle Face Green.  Pic by Nisal Baduge

Life so fragile...

Flowers and a children's swimming ring float on the water at the river port in Kazan on July 12, 2011, some 800 kilometres east from Moscow. Russia mourned its worst river disaster after the shock discovery that up to 40 children were trapped in a playroom on the pleasure boat that sank with 120 people on board. AFP PHOTO

Teachers protest

A protest was held in front of ‘Gurugedara" in Colpetty today against the attack on several teachers by alleged supporter f the past board of Gurugedara. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vegetables on the road

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A hot cup of soup

An orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus abelii) protects himself from the cold with a blanket provided by vets at Rio de Janeiro's zoo on July 11, 2011. Vets gave blankets and hot soups to animals due to the extreme cold weather affecting Rio and the region.  AFP PHOTO

Galle bus stand opened today

The newly constructed Galle Bus stand was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa today. Rs. 405 million was spent on the construction of the bus stand. The bus stand and the connecting fly-over was opened today. Pix by Shanthan Rathnayake

CPC oil pipelines restored

Three hundred meters of damaged oil pipelines are being restored from the Port to Bluemandahl road by the Petroleum Cooperation. Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Bull run

Participants run with Fuente Ymbro's fighting bulls during the fifth San Fermin Festival bull run, on July 11, 2011, in Pamplona, northern Spain. The festival is a symbol of Spanish culture that attracts thousands of tourists to watch the bull runs despite heavy condemnation from animal rights groups. AFP

Keeping memories

Sandy Coleman of NASA contractor ATK, photographs the space shuttle Atlantis on launch pad 39A after the Rotating Service Structure was rolled back at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 7, 2011. Launch of Atlantis is scheduled for July 8 with a crew of four aboard the final STS-135 mission of the space shuttle program. REUTERS

Way to New Zealand

Asylum seekers from Sri Lanka hold up signs on a ship in Bintan island, Riau province July 10, 2011. A total of 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers were detained by Indonesian police on July 9, while they were heading to New Zealand. REUTERS

Commemorating V. A. Sugathadasa

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesighe is seen here at the commemoration of Former Minister V. A. Sugathadasa in Colombo today. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Race course wall demolished

Steps are being taken to take down walls surrounding government buildings in the Colombo area making them more people and environmentally friendly. The picture shows walls being taken down at the Race course ground Colombo. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Against drunk driving

Students of the St. Sebastian School in Negombo today held a protest walk against several recent deaths due to drunk drivers in the Negambo area. The picture shows students holding placards taking part in the protest walk. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

“Pichcha Mal Pujawa”

The annual “Pichcha Mal Pujawa” (offering of Jasmine flowers) was held at the Jaya Sri Maha Bo Tree premises in Anuradhapura today. Thousands of devotes and monks participated in the annual offering which was held successfully. Pix by Athula Bandara

'Iron Man 28'

A family pose with a 15.3 metre-tall 'Tetsujin 28-go', or 'Iron Man 28' at Wakamatsu park in Kobe on July 10, 2011. The statue was built to commemorate its manga creator, Mitsuteru Yokoyama who born in Kobe. AFP PHOTO

“Kathanga”

“Kathanga”, a four-month-old Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis) explores its enclosure next to its mother on July 8, 2011 at the zoo in Mulhouse, northeastern France. Every year there are about 250 to 350 births at the Mulhouse zoo. Some young animals, once weaned, can be introduced in protected zones of their original region. If not, they go to other zoos to make up other families. Genetic mixing is necessary for the anima

Kadirgamar memorial lecture

The picture shows visiting British Defence Secretary Liam Fox addressing the Lakshman Kadirgamar memorial lecture which was held today. Pix by Samantha Perera

Pied tamarin

A three-month-old Pied tamarin (Saguinus Bicolor) is pictured with its mother in their enclosure on July 8, 2011 at the zoo in Mulhouse, northeastern France. Every year there are about 250 to 350 births at the Mulhouse zoo. Some young animals, once weaned, can be introduced in protected zones of their original region. If not, they go to other zoos to make up other families. Genetic mixing is necessary for the animals' health and the survival

Tour de France

The pack rides past young fans and a French Citroen 2CV, during the 218 km and seventh stage of the 2011 Tour de France cycling race run between Le Mans and Chateauroux, center France, on July 8, 2011.  AFP PHOTO

“Colombo Flavors”

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Talking about Kahawatte

Addressing the media regarding the tense situation in Kahawatte in the recent days newly appointed Inspector General of Police N. K Illangakoon and senior police officials stated that special security patrols and deployments have been made in the Kahawatte area to ensure the safety of the public. PIx by Kithsiri de Mel

Release Rizana!

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“Nawam Raja” says farewell

The famous 55 year old tusker of the Gangarama Temple “Nawam Raja” passed away today after a stomach ailment at the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya. The tusker who served the Gangarama Temple for the last 25 years, had taken part in several pageants including the Kandy Dalada Perahera,  Kathragama Esela Maha Perahera  and the Nawam Perahera in Gangarama. The picture shows Buddhist priests carrying out final rites before the b

Bull vs Man

Britain's Prince William (R) and his wife Catherine, (L) Duchess of Cambridge, watch a bull rider get bucked off a bull at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, July 7, 2011.   The Prince and his wife are on a royal tour of Canada from June 30 to July 8.    AFP PHOTO

Final rites for fallen heroes

U.S. Army Major General Daniel B. Allyn, (front) commander of ISAF Regional Command (East) salutes during a memorial ceremony in forward firebase Joyce in Kunar province, July 7, 2011. Four U.S. Army soldiers, Lieutenant Dimitri Del Castillo, Staff Sergeant Nigel Kelly, Specialist Levi Nuncio and Specialist Kevin Hilaman, two Afghan National Army soldiers, an Afghan linguist and Agdar, a military sniffer dog died during operations in Kunar distri

Colleagues

The Indo-Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association organized a reception today at the India House in Colombo. Picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, Thilanga Sumathipala and R Sampanthan engaging in a discussion. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

A show of agreement

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (C) shakes hands with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias (L) and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu (R) after a meeting on Cyprus peace talks on July 7, 2011 in Geneva. Ban Ki-moon said that the talks were 'useful and productive' and the rival Cypriot leaders agree to enter intensive talks aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island. AFP PHOTO