Rio Carnival

Revellers of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome March 6, 2011. REUTERS

Winter Carnival

Hungarian people wear masks during the traditional Buso Carnival in Mohacs, southern Hungary March 6, 2011. At the Buso Carnival, which lasts for six days, locals bury the winter and party before the start of lent. According to legend, the masks helped locals scare away the Turks in the 16th century. REUTERS

Inter-schools rugby 7’s

Defending league championships St. Peter’s began the 2011 all-island inter-school rugby campaign under 20 inter-schools rugby 7’s for the second successive year defeating Kingswood by 24 points to 15 in the final played at the  Royal Sports Complex grounds in Reid Avenue yesterday. The picture shows Peterite play maker Sandun Herath in action in the final against Kingswood yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

“Walk for Cancer”

“Walk for Cancer” a cancer awareness and fundraising event organized by the Sri Lanka Cancer Society was held at the Green Path this afternoon. The picture shows a youngster who took part in the walk imprinting her palm print to show support to Sri Lanka Cancer Society and raise awareness regarding Cancer in Sri Lanka. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Showing off dog skills

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Wet weather in the evening

The Meteorology Department predicted thunder showers in the evening today in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces coupled with heavy winds. Light showers are also expected in other parts of the country. The Department also warned of lightning

Air Force 60th Anniversary

Large number of visitors are arriving to the Air Force exhibition and carnival organized in Ratmalana to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It started on March 2 and it will be held till the 8th of March. The main attractions are the exhibits, air displays, air demonstrations and fly pasts. Pics By Pradeep Dilruckshana

Rain stops play

Groundsmen cover the field as it rains during the ICC Cricket World Cup group A match between Sri Lanka and Australia in Colombo March 5, 2011.  REUTERS

President welcomed by Mervyn

President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the first election rally at the Nawaloka Grounds in Welisara yesterday. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and other public representatives in the Gampaha district were also present at the rally. Pics By Gayan Amarasekara

Preparing for battle

Sri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara (L), Lasith Malinga (C), and Muttiah Muralitharan take a break during a practice session yesterday, ahead of today’s ICC Cricket World Cup match against Australia in Colombo. REUTERS

Showing school spirit

The 77th big-match between St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College began today at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium. Seen in the picture are students buying souvenirs to support their school for the game. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Best comfort for the sick

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa inspecting the condition of a bed while Minister Maithreepala Sirisena looking on at the National Healthcare Exhibition started today at the BMICH. Pix by Pradeep Dilrikshana

Jumbo survives Hakka Patas explosion

A wild elephant lying with serious injuries caused by an illegal hunting device called Hakka Patas laid by a poacher in Nanattan area in Mannar, was handed over to the Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home for treatment

Awarding journalism diplomas

The Sri Lanka College of Journalism (SLCJ) held its 7th annual diploma award ceromony yesterday at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. The chief guest at the occasion was the Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Haraldstad. 72 were awarded diplomas yesterday for the year 2010. Pics by Nisal Baduge.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

US soldiers wear chemical warfare gear during a joint military exercise with South Korea at a US Army base in Dongducheon, 40kms north of Seoul, on March 3, 2011 aimed to simulate the detection and disposal of North Korea's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.  US and South Korean soldiers displayed their techniques for handling weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the face of North Korea's nuclear sabre-rattling

Minister displeased with dirty kitchen

Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera yesterday visited the Welikada prison to attend a book distribution ceremony. The Minster who visited the prison kitchen after the ceremony expressed his displeasure on the uncleanliness of the kitchen. He instructed the Prison Commissioner to look into the matter and to improve its standard.  Pics by Janaka Galappaththi

Final rites for a fallen hero

The remains of Flight Lt. Monath Perera who died in the mid-air collision of two Kafir jets on Tuesday morning are lying at present at a relative’s house at Kitulampitiya in Galle where he attended school. The remains would be taken to his Alma Mater, Mahinda College Galle on Saturday morning for the public to pay their last respects. The funeral will take place at the Samanala Grounds in Galle on Saturday evening. Pix by Sajeewa Wijeweer

Protecting their jobs

The All Island Provincial Revenue Services Unity held a protest in Pettah today calling on the authorities to address their employment issues. The picture shows members of the Revenue Services Unity shouting slogans during the protest. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protesting for their rights

The Joint Council of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine held a protest in front of the Health Ministry today making several demands including the extension of their training period to three years. The picture shows members of the Joint Council of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine during the protest walk. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Amidst rubble

Members of the Police DVI (disaster victim identification) team prepare to move a body found in the rubble of the PGC building during ongoing search operations in the aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch on March 3, 2011. Rescuers have conceded they do not expect to find any more survivors, turning attention to questions about why the damage inflicted on the city in the 6.3-magnitude tremor was so severe. Up to a third of the downtown area

Buddha statue in Bamiyan

A combination photo of the 55-metre-high Buddha statue in Bamiyan, central Afghanistan in December 18, 1997 (left) and after its destruction on March 26, 2001. It has been ten years since the statue was destroyed by the Taliban on March 2, 2001. REUTERS

“The Night of Shiva”

The picture shows Hindu devotees observing Maha Shivarathri Day at the Sivam Kovil Kotahena Colombo today by in honor of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivarathri is celebrated throughout the world by Hindus. During the day and night they spend singing the devotional hymns and dance joyously in the name of the Lord for the blessing. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Protesting for rights

The State Engineering Employees Union today staged a protest campaign in front of the State Engineering Corporation in Colombo 2, protesting against what they called a “suppression” by the management and protesting against the recent decision outlining a circular released, bringing down the retirement age from 60 to 57. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary

The Sri Lanka Air Force celebrated their 60th Anniversary today with an exhibition and carnival organized at the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Ratmalana. The picture shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 60th Anniversary celebrations this morning. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Battlefield of "Baengma Goji"

Middle and high school students who defected from North Korea listen to a military guide upon their visit to the battlefield of Baengma Goji (The Battle of White Horse) near the demilitarized zone in Cheorwon, about 77 km (48 miles) northeast of Seoul, March 2, 2011, after a ceremony to commemorate their school's foundation anniversary. About 140 students from Hangyeore Middle and High School for North Korean teenage defectors took part in th

Javan rhino

This handout photo released by WWF on February 28, 2011 shows a video grab recorded on November 22, 2010 of a Javan rhino and a male calf captured by hidden cameras in the jungle of the rhino sanctuary in Ujung Kulon National Park on the southwestern tip of Java island.  This images from the camera trap is a proof that Javan rhinos are breeding in Indonesia's national park, the last redoubt of one of the world's most threatened mamma

81st Geneva Car Show

Italian carmaker Pagani's new Huayra sports car is displayed during the first media day of the 81st Geneva Car Show at the Palexpo in Geneva March 1, 2011. REUTERS

Locally built naval craft

The Navy today handed over a locally built naval craft to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. The picture shows Coast Guard personnel after the craft was handed over. Pix by Samantha Perera

A heavy burden

JVP which took to the streets to protest against the high cost of living in Colombo today pledged to make Lipton circus another Tahrir Square. The picture shows JVP protester carrying an effigy of a loaf of bread during the protest. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Malinga gets Hat-trick

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga celebrates after taking the wicket of Kenya's Shem Ngoche during their ICC Cricket World Cup group A match in Colombo March 1, 2011. REUTERS