Elitloppet trotting

Swedish driver Joakim Lovgren with German horse Brioni crosses the finish line to win the Elitloppet trotting race at Solvalla trotting track outside Stockholm, Sweden May 29, 2011.   REUTERS

Bolt

Jamaican athlet Usain Bolt gestures during the opening ceremony of the  UEFA Champions League final football match FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United, on May 28, 2011 at Wembley stadium in London. AFP PHOTO

Benz galore

The picture shows the unveiling of a Mercedez Benz SLS at the 125th commemorative exhibition held at the BMICH today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

New Sanganayake

Most Ven. Kihimbiye Vijitha Thera of the Amaparapura Saddammayukthika Maha Nikaya was honoured with the title ‘Chief Sanganayake of Southern Lanka by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe this   evening at the Isipathanarama Maha Viharasthanaya in Havelock town Colombo.Here, Mr. Wickremesinghe hands over the letter of appointment (Akkapatra) to the Thera.  Pic By Kithsiri De Mel

Reborn babies

Plastic heads and limbs of 'reborn babies', dolls which are made to look just like real babies, are displayed at the reborn babies fair in Brentwood, east of London, on February 27, 2011. Weighing five kilos, with perfectly combed hair and her eyes closed in sleep, Abby looks like a baby girl. But she is a doll, adopted by a grieving mother to help come to terms with the loss of a child.  AFP PHOTO

21 times

In this file handout photograph released on May 18, 2011, Nepalese climber Apa Sherpa - who holds the record for the number of times Mount Everest has been climbed - unfurls a Nepalese national flag on the summit of Mount Everest on May 11, 2011.  Apa Sherpa, the Nepalese climber who has conquered Mount Everest a record 21 times, said May 28, 2011 that his latest ascent of the world's highest peak would be his last. The 51-year-old fathe

Cuban Blue

A Cuban Blue cat is pictured in Havana May 25, 2011. Cuban cat lovers believe there is a newly identified breed of short-hair cat they call the Cuban blue. Uriarte Rubio, president of the Cuban Association of Cat Enthusiasts, is spearheading the effort to identify the Cuban blue as a new breed and hopes it will one day take its place alongside the world's five other cat breeds known as “blues.” Picture taken May 25, 2011. REUTERS

Monsoon conditions

Southwestern monsoon conditions are gradually establishing over the island and showery weather can be expected in the Southwest quarters in the coming few days. The picture shows weather conditions over Sri Lanka. Pix courtesy “The Weather Channel”

Pigeon Island National Park

The Pigeon Island National Park was declared open today by Economic Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Minister S. M. Chandraseana and Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena. The picture shows Minister Basil Rajapaksa getting off the boat after arriving at the Pigeon Island National Park. Pix by Amaradoru Amarajeeva

Let’s ride

The Sri Lanka Army inter-regiment cycle championship is currently underway. The picture shows Sri Lankan Army cyclist during the race. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Eyes

The sails of the Sydney Opera House are lit with artwork “La Macula” by French collective Superbien during the Vivid festival in central Sydney May 27, 2011. Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music and ideas, will run until June 13. REUTERS

Remembering the fallen

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Volcanic ash

Icebergs covered in volcanic ash from the eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano float in a glacial lagoon below the Vatnajokull Glacier in Iceland May 27, 2011.  REUTERS

Meeting Fonseka

Several UNP MPs led by Co-deputy Leader of the UNP Sajith Premadasa visited former army commander Sarath Fonseka at the Welikada Prison this morning. The picture shows UNP MPs after their arrival at the Welikada Prison. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Against private pension

Several trade unions affiliated to the JVP today staged a protest campaign in front of the Fort Railway Station strongly urging the government to withdraw the proposed private sector pension scheme. Seen here are protestors at the campaign in front of a huge cut out of the President. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Victory Parade

The 2nd anniversary celebrations of the War Victory and Victory Parade was held at Galle Face presided by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa today. The picture shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the heads of the three armed forces during the commencement of the Victory Parade. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Out in space

Space shuttle Endeavour Commander Mark Kelly and station flight engineer Ron Garan can be seen in the window of the International Space Station's cupola in this photo taken by spacewalking astronaut Mike Fincke May 26, 2011.     REUTERS

On The Count Of Three

Rebel fighters take part in training in Giminis May 26, 2011. The government of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has contacted foreign states offering an immediate ceasefire, but there was scepticism that the proposal could end the three-month-old conflict. REUTERS

Norway marks Constitution Day

Marking the Norwegian Constitution Day, the Ambassador of Norway organized an event with the participation of several dignitaries. Seen here is former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in conversation with opposition member Ravi Karunanayake. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya 

Life back to normal

Almost two years since the end of the way, life in the Mullaithivu district seems to be returning to some normalcy. Seen here are people participating in day to day activities in the now liberated area. Pic by Samantha Perera 

Suspected poisoning of jumbo

An elephant about 25-30 years old was found dead in the Puttalam area today by wildlife officers. The veterinarians of the wild life department suspect that the elephant was poisoned and the examinations are taking place. Pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Next generation in airline

SriLankan Airlines organized an IT exhibition, with the participation of 20+ world renowned vendors with their breakthrough products, technologies and flexible solutions. Aviation IT blends in a mixture of entertainment, bargains and a glimpse in to next generation of airline IT. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Spacewalking astronauts

Space shuttle Endeavour astronaut Andrew Feustel works outside the International Space Station during his spacewalk in this image provided by NASA and taken May 25, 2011. REUTERS

We are not alone

This collection of galaxy specimens, taken by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, mission is pictured and released by  NASA May 25, 2011. It showcases galaxies of several types, from elegant grand design spirals to more patchy flocculent spirals. Some of the galaxies have roundish centers, while others have elongated central bars. The orientation of the galaxies varies as well, with some seeming to peer straight ba

Newborn sleep

Newborn babies rest in cots, listening to music played through loudspeakers in Saca Hospital in Kosice, east Slovakia May 25, 2011. The hospital uses music as therapy for newborn babies when they are separated from their mothers. REUTERS

UNP on pensions and leadership training

UNP parliament members held a press conference at the parliament today to discuss the proposed private pension scheme and the leadership training for university students. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Looking for missing children

A member of a search and rescue crew looks for missing children after a tornado ripped through the Falcon Lake area of Piedmont in Oklahoma May 24, 2011. Several tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma on Tuesday afternoon, the largest one striking El Reno, west of Oklahoma City, and continuing to the northeast, the National Weather Service said. REUTERS

In deep thought

An ethnic Hmong woman carries her son as she walks along a river near Sapa town in northern Lao Cai province, 350 km (217 miles) from Hanoi May 24, 2011. Picture taken May 24, 2011. REUTERS

Obama and Charles

U.S. President Barack Obama walks with Britain's Prince Charles (L) at the Winfield House in London May 24, 2011. REUTERS

Meeting the Royal couple

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama talk to Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace, in London May 24, 2011. Obama on Tuesday begins a visit to Britain where he and Prime Minister David Cameron will review NATO action to help end conflict in Libya and Western policy towards uprisings in the Arab world.   REUTERS