Congratulated by captain

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga is congratulated by captain and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara as New Zealand's Nathan McCullum walks off the field after being dismissed during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match in Colombo March 29, 2011. REUTERS

Let the battle begin!

All the preparations were set to start the encounter between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo today. Seen here are the captured images of the people who are coming to see the Lankan team in action. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ponting retires as Aussi captain

Australia's Ricky Ponting looks down during a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground March 29, 2011, where he announced he was retiring as the country's test and one-day cricket captain. Ponting, the most successful captain in 134 years of test cricket, resigned as captain on Tuesday but will continue as a batsman with the team.  REUTERS

Special Prayer Ceremony

Students wear paper masks of Indian cricketers as they attend a special prayer ceremony for the victory of the Indian cricket team in the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match against Pakistan on Wednesday, at a temple in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh March 28, 2011. REUTERS

Tour of Colombo

The Colombo Guide by Sri Serendipity Publishing, the first comprehensive city guide to Colombo brainchild of Publisher, Juliet Coombe, opens up Colombo to the world and shows the booming city as never seen before. Seen here are the pictures from the book launch which has been held today. Pics by Wauna Wanniarachchi

Admiring the art-work

Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath looks at tattoos on the arm of his teammate Lasith Malinga during a training session at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo on March 28, 2011. Sri Lanka face New Zealand in their Cricket World Cup semi-final match to be played in Colombo on March 29, 2011. AFP

Saving what you can

A rubber factory in Charley Mount estate in Udukawa, Weligama was on fire this afternoon with several employees trapped inside. The police and the Galle Fire Brigade who rushed to the scene carried out rescue operations with the help of the residents in the area. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Radiation alert

Shyudou Kaneyama is tested for possible nuclear radiation at an evacuation center in Fukushima,  north of Japan, March 28, 2011. Japan appeared resigned on Monday to a long fight to contain the world's most dangerous atomic crisis in 25 years after high radiation levels complicated work at its crippled nuclear plant. Kaneyama was evacuated from his home in Namie, which is located about 16 km from the crippled nuclear reactor, and he didn

Marking “Earth Hour”

An event to mark “Earth Hour” organized by the Western Province Environment Ministry was held yesterday at the Sri Ranasignhe National School in Kotikawatte. The picture shows Chief Guest at the event, Australian High Commissioner, Kathy Klugman, lighting the traditional torch to mark the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Diversity in music

The Jaffna Music Festival was successfully concluded after three days at the Jaffna Municipal Council Grounds last night. The pictures show one of the groups taking part in the festival performing at third night’s event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Kiwis ready to battle with Lions

New Zealand's James Franklin (L) bowls as bowling coach Allan Donald looks on during their training session at the Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium (P Sara Oval), before Tuesday's ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka, in Colombo March 27, 2011. REUTERS

Northern Development

With the end of the three decade war, development has been taking place the Northern part of the country. Seen here are development steps being taken in the Chunnakam town in Jaffna, where road and electricity facilitates are being developed. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Oops it’s hurting

A dog-lover petting a dog at the dog show organized by the Kennel Association of Sri Lanka which was held at the Viharamahadevi Park today. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachchi

‘Pride of Ownership’

The annual ‘Pride of Ownership’ drive organized by the VW Beetle Owners Club was held today for the 12th consecutive year. The drive which included nearly 60 Beetles commenced in front of the Colombo Hilton and headed to Beruwala along Galle Road where the event is scheduled to be concluded for this year. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Aquinas walk in Colombo

The streets of Colombo came alive today with the Aquinas University College annual walk which paraded along Borella, Maradana and Ward Place in the morning. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Into the semi-finals

Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan celebrates his century during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-final match against England in Colombo March 26, 2011. REUTERS

Oops !

Sri Lanka's Thilan Samaraweera drops a catch off the bat of England's Eoin Morgan during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-final match in Colombo March 26, 2011. REUTERS

Music is in the air

The Jaffna Music Festival is currently underway at the Jaffna Municipal Council Grounds. The pictures show one of the groups taking part in the festival performing at yesterday night’s event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Bowled !

South Africa's Johan Botha is bowled by New Zealand's Jacob Oram as wicket keeper Brendon McCullum celebrates during their Cricket World Cup quarter-final match in Dhaka March 25, 2011. REUTERS

“Jaffna Music Fest 2011”

The “Jaffna Music Festival” is currently under way at the Jaffna Municipal Ground. More 24 folk music groups from Sri Lanka and 5 international folk groups from South Africa, Palestine, India, Nepal,  and Norway will perform at the festival. USAID is a partner of the event while the Sewalanka Foundation with the support of Concerts Norway is organizing the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Against attacks on Libya

A protest walk was organized by the “Organization against Imperialism” this afternoon in Colpetty against the attacks on Libya targets by the Coalition an NATO Forces. The picture shows protestors shouting slogans and carrying banners during the protests. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana  

Mastodon remains

An unearthed mastodon's fossilized remains are pictured at the rural Padre Hurtado municipality near Santiago March 11, 2011. The remains of the mastodon were discovered on the banks of the Mapocho river during the construction of a water treatment plant, local media reported. It is believed that mastodons inhabited earth some 15,000 years ago. Picture taken March 11, 2011. REUTERS

US Military Expands Relief Efforts

A U.S. marine based in Japan directs heavy lifting equipment March 25, 2011 as reconstruction work continues at Sendai airport that was hit by an earthquake and tsunami, northern Japan. U.S. forces will provide water to help cool the reactors at Japan's stricken nuclear plant north of Tokyo, Kyodo news agency quoted Japanese Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa as saying on Friday. REUTERS

Goat dragging

Men on horseback compete in goat dragging, a traditional Central Asian sport, outside the Tajik capital of Dushanbe March 24, 2011. REUTERS

Resettled ask govt. to fulfill promises

Nearly 300 families, who were resettled more than one and a half years ago, following the end of the war in May 2009, claim they are yet to be given the facilities promised by the government and are requesting officials to provide them what was the promises it made. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Dengue prevention in Muttuwal

In a bid to prevent the spread of dengue mosquitoes, public inspectors of the Health Ministry in the collaboration with the Colombo Municipal Council inspected the Muttuwal area today with the assistance of the public, after declaring a dengue prevention week from March 23 to 29. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Here we go again!

A protest was organised by the National Freedom Front, in-front of the United Nations office in Colombo, condemning war against Libya. VIDEO  Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Jumbo tragedy

An elephant died when it fell into a sewage pit in the Ridhimaliyadde area last morning. The accident occurred when a herd of elephants had entered the village in search of food. Pic by Bandula Bandaranayeka

Flames from a Molotov

A protester throws a Molotov cocktail at a police vehicle in Oued Koriche, Algiers March 23, 2011. The protesters were demonstrating against a plan by the authorities to demolish houses built without proper approval. REUTERS

Ranil to lead

The working committee of the UNP decided to retain Ranil Wickremesinghe as the party leader and appoint Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya as Deputy Leaders at a meeting held at its headquarters at Sirikotha today. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana