Bakmaha Ulela

This little child erupts in joy as she wins a race at Saturday’s Bakmaha Ulela celebrations at Maligathenna, Gampaha organized by the Maligathenna Tharuna Sanvidanaya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Snapshot !

Today is Bak Full Moon Poya day. The picture shows a foreign tourist who visited the Gangarama temple taking a photograph of statues at the temple. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Governor's Cup

Ms. Nishara Jayaratne’s stable lifted the prestigious Governor's Cup in a highly contested nine furlong race at the Nuwara Eliya horse racing track yesterday. The eight horse event saw some brilliant riding by the local and Indian jockeys. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Puppy play

Eight week-old Saint Bernard puppies play in an enclosure of the St. Bernard Dog Museum in the south western Swiss town of Martigny, April 16, 2011.  In 2005 the non-profit Barry Foundation took over the breeding kennel from the Hospice at the Great Saint Bernard mountain pass (2473 metres/8114 ft. altitude) to continue the 300-year-old tradition of breeding the famous dogs, which return to their origin on the mountain pass during the summer

Traditional games

The picture shows foreign tourist holidaying in Sri Lanka taking part in traditional Avurudu games in Trincomalee today. The Avurudu celebrations which were organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau were held to share Sri Lankas rich culture and traditions with visitors to the country. Pix by Amaradoru Amarajeeva

Rescued

Eleven Myanmar fishermen who were stranded in international waters after their fishing vessel was damage were rescued by Sri Lankan fishermen and handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy today. The picture shows the Navy handing the fishermen over to the police to make arrangements for their safe journey back to Myanmar. Pix by Amaradoru Amarajeeva

Taking part in Avurudu traditions

The picture shows people lined up to take part in one of the last Avurudu traditions of applying  anointment to the head with Nanu (medicated shampoo) and oil at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya this morning . Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Chernobyl

The sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is seen behind a radiation sign and a device used for measuring radiation levels April 15, 2011. Belarus, Ukraine and Russia will mark the 25th anniversary of the nuclear reactor explosion in Chernobyl, the place where the world's worst civil nuclear accident took place, on April 26.  REUTERS

Moon Ring 'Sandamadala'

The moon can produce interesting optical effects when conditions are right, the most common of which are moon rings. The pictures show the moon ring "Sandamadala" which was visible last night. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Fully loaded

A Libyan rebel poses with weapons after fierce fighting erupted afresh around the battleground Libyan crossroads town of Ajdabiya. AFP

Porto lead Iberian

FC Porto's Ruben Micael and Alvaro Pereira celebrate their fifth goal against Spartak Moscow during their UEFA Europa legaue quarter final second leg football match in Moscow. Porto won 5-2 and 10-3 on aggregate. AFP

Prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year

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Before the dawn of New Year

Buddhist devotees are seen engaging in religious activities at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara this morning, hours before the dawn of the Sinhala-Tamil New Year. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Novice Thai nuns

A Buddhist nun walks in line with novice Thai nuns to receive food from people during the Songkran Festival at the Sathira-Dhammasathan Buddhist meditation centre in Bangkok April 13, 2011. The Songkran festival, also known as the water festival, marks the start of Thailand's traditional New Year and is believed to wash away bad luck. REUTERS

Stolen and found

A hand out picture released by Egyptian state Minister of antiquities on April 12, 2011, shows a golden statuette of King Tutankhamun which had been stolen along with three other Pharaonic artefacts from the Egyptian Museum in January 2011 during the first days of the revolution that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. The relics were found in a bag at a Metro station in the Egyptian capital. AFP PHOTO

Keeping time

A watch and clock shop employee is seen here setting the correct time on a clock this afternoon. The government yesterday announced that the standard time of Sri Lanka was to be announced at midnight yesterday (11) by the government, making it mandatory to display it as the official time of the country. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vegetables for Avurudu

The picture shows a vegetable vendor selling egg plants to an Avurudu shopper in Fort. Avurudu shoppers could be seen buying vegetables and other essential items in preparation of the upcoming Avurudu festival. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Repatriation of fishermen

Sri Lanka Navy assisted in the repatriation of eight Sri Lankan fishermen, who were released from the Indian custody. The fishermen and five (05) fishing boats were handed over to SL Navy officials by the Indian Coast Guard Ship, at the Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the seas north of Kankasanthurei. (Courtesy-Sri Lanka Navy)

Water Splash

Elephants spray water at children during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other. AFP

A new pot for Avurudu

A little girl is seen here pointing out a pot to her father during Avurudu shopping this afternoon. Cities around the island are jam packed with last minute Avurudu shoppers. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

50 years since lift off

A man passes a portrait of Yuri Gagarin during a ceremonial reception, dedicated to the upcoming Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics and the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's historic first space flight celebrated on April 12, in Moscow April 11, 2011.  REUTERS

Presidential visit

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here being greeted by enthusiastic shoppers at a shopping mall in Colombo during a surprise visit. The President mingled with the Avurudu shoppers and inquired about their well being. Pix courtesy Presidents Media

Selection Committee selected

A new Selection Committee for the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) comprising Dulip Mendis, Don Arunasiri, Brendon Kuruppu, R. Madurasinghe and Chaminda Mendis was appointed by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The picture shows the newly appointed committee during their first press briefing. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Annual Report 2010

President Mahinda Rakapaksa receives the copies of the Central Bank Annual Report 2010 from Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundere are also seen in the picture. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Air Force ushers in New Year

A New Year festival was held today at the Air Force head quarters to mark New Year’s celebrations. Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama also participated in the New Year events and traditional games including drama performances. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Marching Horse

A farmer and horse breaker performs an exercise on a horse during routine practice on his farm in the outskirts of Havana April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Enjoy your day

People enjoy a sunny day on the river Stour in Dedham, southern England April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Raptors vs. Nets

Toronto Raptors Ed Davis goes up for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, April 10, 2011. REUTERS

Slinga magic

Mumbai Indians fast bowler Lasith Malinga (R) is congratulated by Team's owner Nita Ambani (L) celebrates during the IPL Twenty20 match between Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on April 10, 2011.  AFP PHOTO

Going home for Avurudu

Pettah Bus stand was a hive of activity today as people in their numbers were seen going to their villages for the national new year. Pic By Nisal Badhuge