Red Shirt Protests

Buddhist monks sit in front of the stage set up by anti-government ''red shirt'' protesters during a rally at Ratchaprasong intersection at Bangkok's shopping district May 19, 2011. Thousands of “red shirt” protesters staged a rally on Thursday to mark the one-year anniversary of Thailand's worst political violence that ended on May 19 last year. REUTERS

Tribute to the former commander

DNA MPs Arjuna Ranatunga, Jayantha Ketagoda and Anura Kumara Dissanayake come out from the Welikada prison after visiting former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka today.  The second anniversary of the war victory fell yesterday, and the three MPs paid tribute to the former Army Chief who led the military to a crushing defeat of the LTTE on May 19, 2009 in Nanthikadal. Pic by Nisal Baduge.

‘Pindapatha Charika’

To commemorate the 2600 Sri Sambuddhtva Jayanthiya, nearly 300 Buddhist monks today started a ‘Pindapatha’ (walk) from Gangaramaya temple to Temple trees. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja.

Freedom in the air

Two years have passed since the victorious conclusion of the war against terrorism. With the newly established peace, the Tamil community in the north is finally connected again with the outside world. Seen here, the civilians in the north enjoying the freedom. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Space Shuttle External Tank Falling

The space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 is hoisted to the high bay for mating to the external tank and solid rocket boosters inside the vehicle assembly building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 18, 2011. REUTERS

President in Vesak Zone

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the Gangaramaya Vesak Zone this evening at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya. The picture shows President Rajapaksa carrying the sacred relic casket in procession to be placed for display at the Sima Malakaya. Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara thera is also in the picture. (Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana)

“Sadu Nada Daham Sakmana”

To commemorate the “2600 Sri Sambuddha Jayanthiya” Buddhist devotes walked from Borella junction to Town-Hall Colombo today. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vesak in Jaffna

Many cities around the country were decorated with lanterns and pandals due to the Vesak celebrations taking place. The pictures shows the city of Jaffna decorated due to Vesak. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Interim leader of al Qaeda

Egyptian Saif al-Adel is pictured in an undated file handout photo from the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists website. A leading specialist on al Qaeda said on May 17, 2011 that Adel, an Egyptian veteran militant, was acting as an interim operational leader pending the expected appointment of deputy chief Ayman al-Zawahri as successor to Osama bin Laden.   REUTERS

Vesak Pandals

Vesak Pandals were seen around the country drawing crowds to the streets. The pictures show Pandals setup around Colombo. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Celebrating Vesak

While the entire country commemorated the significant 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi, thousands of devotees thronged the Gangarama Temple at Hunupitiya in Colombo to take part in religious observances.  The picture shows devotees at the Gangarama Temple. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vesak at Nagadeepa

A large number of devotees from around the country could be seen visiting the Nagadeepa in light of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi. The picture shows devotees and visitors at the Nagadeepa temple. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Pardoned for Vesak

Nearly 110 inmates from the Welikada and Mahawa prisons were released under a common pardon granted on them to mark the 2600th Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthiya. 860 inmates from Prisons island wide were granted pardon. The main event was held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya under the patronage of Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vesak

Today is Vesak Full Moon Poya day. The picture shows devotees who have thronged the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya taking part in religious activities. Pix by Samantha Perera

Final day of retreat

Power and Energy Minister Partali Champikla Ranawaka and 24 JHU members spent the last day at Sadaham Sewana at Rajagiriya coinciding with the 2600th Buddha Jayanthi. Seen here is the JHU group talking part in a sil program at Sadaham Sewana. Pix by Samantha Perera.

Ranil at Gangaramaya

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe attending religious observances at the Gangaramaya temple today to mark Vesak Poya.  Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Tour of California

The peloton starts Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California in Nevada City, California May 16, 2011. Stage 1 was cancelled, and Stage 2 was shortened due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions. REUTERS

Arrest warrants for Gaddafi

Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi arrives to give television interviews at a hotel in Tripoli in this March 8, 2011 file photo. The International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on May 16, 2011 he had requested arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and the country's spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity.  REUTERS

Commemorating a historic event

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a religious ceremony at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare where a new Stupa built at the temple was also inaugurated by the President. Chief Incumbent Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangarakkitha Thera is also present. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Behind bars

Dominique Strauss-Kahn (2nd R), head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), departs a New York Police Department precinct late May 15, 2011. A handcuffed IMF chief, Strauss-Kahn, facing charges he sexually assaulted a hotel maid, was escorted from a New York Police Department unit late on Sunday. REUTERS

People prepare for historic event

On the eve of the Vesak Poya day, which will also commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi, people in around the city of Colombo were seen, making preparations for the celebration. Pic by Samantha Perera, Pradeep Pathirana and Varuna Wanniarchchi

Vesak day Celebrations

Men install a peacock installation to celebrate the life of Buddha, ahead of Vesak day celebrations in Colombo May 16, 2011. Vesak Day falls on May 17 and 18 in Sri Lanka. REUTERS

Coming of age

Participants make deep bows during a traditional coming-of-age ceremony in Seoul May 16, 2011. The ceremony marks the entrance of boys and girls into adulthood at the age of 20, and reminds them of their individual responsibilities as young men and women.  REUTERS

Monster Jam

Chad Fortune flies his truck Superman at Monster Jam, a monster truck competition in San Jose May 15, 2011.REUTERS

Bulls leave Heat in tears

Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose drives to the net on Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade during the first half of Game 1 of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff basketball game in Chicago May 15, 2011. REUTERS

Blood donation

A blood donation campaign was organized by the Walkers Club at the Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya today in light of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi.  The picture shows a blood donor attending event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

“Buddhist Cultural Center”

The newly completed “Buddhist Cultural Center” was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon in light of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi. The picture shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa opening the newly named Sambudathwa Jayanthi Mawatha. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Wesak in Colombo

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Indian education

“The India Education Fair” is currently being held at the BMICH. The picture shows a presentation being made at one of the education stalls at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Swirling jacks

Scuba divers swim near a school of swirling jacks near the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben, on the Indonesian resort island of Bali May 14, 2011. Picture taken May 14, 2011. REUTERS