A visit to the Independence Square

President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a surprise visit to the Independence Square today which is currently under renovation. Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga is seen here pointing out something in the distance to President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his visit. Pix by Sudath Silva

Words of Condolences

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Japanese embassy in Colombo today and signed a Condolence Book for victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Local Government Election-2011

UPFA secured an overwhelming mandate at yesterday’s Local Government Election-2011, obtaining power of 205 local bodies from 234 in which elections were held. The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has won twelve Councils. The UNP has obtained the power of nine councils, while the SLMC has taken the power of four bodies and two councils have been obtained by  the National Congress.

Donations from Sydney

Members of the international non-profit organisation, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, bow their heads as they prepare to collect donations from Sydney residents on March 16, 2011 for the people of Japan affected by the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami which hit there on March 11. The Foundation already in the Sydney city area for another event, collected donations which will be sent to their international headquarters in Taiwan to

Election rally in Piura

Peru's Presidential candidate Luis Castaneda greets supporters during a rally in the northern city of Piura March 17, 2011. Peru will hold general elections on April 10. REUTERS

Big match fever continues

The first day of the annual big match between the D.S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College came to an end with Mahanama being dismissed for 148 at the SSC grounds today. Seen here are pictures from the day’s play. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

And the counting begins…

With the conclusion of voting this evening, ballot boxes have been transported to various counting centres island wide. Seen here are officers taking ballot boxes to Isipathana College which was being used as a counting centre. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Polls in Gampaha

Voters in the Gampaha District cast their votes for the Local Government Elections. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Casting the vote

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A Sporty good time

Children from the Ratmalana blind School enjoy themselves at their annual sports meet last evening. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

Reception for Pakistan team

The Pakistan High Commission organized a reception for the Pakistan Cricket team today at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha also presented at the occasion. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Condolences from the UNP

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today visited the Japanese Ambassador at the Sri Lankan Japan Embassy to convey his condolences to the victims of the recent Tsunami that devastated Japan. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Ballot boxes in Trincomalee

The ballot boxes for the Local Government Election in the Trincomalee District were dispatched to 176 polling stations this morning.  the ballot boxes and the staff for 45 polling stations in Mutthur were transported by ferry under strict security provided by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police. Pic Amadoru Amarajeewa

Getting ready for polls

The Local Government Elections will take place tomorrow with 34,433 candidates in the fray. Security has been beefed up in areas identified as ‘Hot Spots’. Seen here election officers and employees of the Election Secretariat moving ballot boxes to polling stations in the Matale, Matara, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Vavuniya districts. Staff Correspondents

In Bed

An assistant of Australian sculptor Ron Mueck works next to his sculpture entitled “In Bed” at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MARCO) in Monterrey March 15, 2011. The sculpture is part of Mueck's first major exhibition in Latin America opening on March 18, according to organisers. REUTERS

“Fallas” festival

A craftsman puts finishing touches on giant figurines ahead of the “Fallas” festival in Valencia March 15, 2011. The festival welcomes spring and honours Saint Joseph's Day with the burning of giant elaborate sculptures and effigies of wood and plastic in the early hours of March 20, 2011. REUTERS

Strike of the academics

Lecturers of the Nawala Open University staged a protest before the university premises as part of the token strike launched by the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA). The token strike was launched in all the universities countrywide urging the government to realize their promise of providing a substantial pay hike for the academics in Sri Lanka. Pix by Samantha Perera

Fukushima: how it happened?

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Annual festival in Kochchikade

The annual festival at the Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Temple in Kochchikade, Colombo took place today. Seen here is the Vel cart being taken round the temple, led by a group of women carrying clay pots with burning camphor and are held with kohomba leaves. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Game over

Anti-government protesters form the words “Game Over” with bricks as they block the roads from riot police at the junction of Bahrain Financial Harbour in Manama March 14, 2011. Bahrain has been gripped by its worst unrest since the 1990s after protesters took to the streets last month, inspired by uprisings that toppled the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia.  REUTERS

Zimbabwe plays Pakistan in decider

Zimbabwe's Craig Ervine (R) plays a shot as Pakistan's wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal looks on during their ICC Cricket World Cup Group A match in Pallekele March 14, 2011. REUTERS

Fresh explosion at the quake-stricken

Smoke rises from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex in this still image from video footage March 14, 2011. A fresh explosion at the quake-stricken nuclear power complex on Monday is unlikely to have led to a large escape of radioactivity, the government said. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano was speaking after a hydrogen explosion at the No.3 reactor in the plant, which sent a plume of smoke into the air. REUTERS

Foxy match

A fox runs onto the pitch before the Six Nations rugby union match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium  in London March 13, 2011.   REUTERS

Surviving the tsunami

Sixty-year-old survivor Hiromitsu Shinkawa (R) who was swept out to sea by a tsunami is seen as crew members of Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Aegis vessel Choukai approach to him for rescue, about 15km (9.3 miles) off Fukushima prefecture, March 13, 2011. The crew of the JMSDF vessel found Hiromatsu clinging to the roof of his house on Sunday, two days after a tsunami caused by a massive earthquake swept him out to sea. The survivor i

A visit to Werahera

The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to Werahera this afternoon. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke to UNP candidates of the area taking part in the upcoming Local Government elections. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja  

Markings on an infant

A two year old infant boy from Batticaloa with 18 marks in his body in Arabic with the word “Allah” is drawing crowds to his residence in Batticaloa. The two month old infant Mohamad Atheebin.is the 3rd child in the family. Pix by Sarifa

Festival of Colours

People throw coloured powder after hoisting a colourful pole or “chir”, to mark the commencement of Holi in Kathmandu March 13, 2011. The tradition of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is celebrated for seven days from the day of erecting the “chir”. It marks the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over Nepal. REUTERS

Pimped out rides

The motor vehicle and motor accessories exhibition 2011, the Auto Vision Motor Show, is currently under way at the BMICH. The picture shows several vehicles on display at the show. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear reactor

A helicopter flies past Japan's Fukushima Daiichi No.1 Nuclear reactor March 12, 2011. An explosion blew the roof off the unstable reactor north of Tokyo on Saturday,Japanese media said, raising fears of a disastrous meltdown at a nuclear plant damaged in the massive earthquake that hit Japan. REUTERS

Scattered

Cargo containers scattered by a tsunami following an earthquake are seen in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS