A visit to Vavuniya

The visiting European Parliamentary Delegation, led by Ms Jean Lambert today visited Vavuniya on an official tour.  The delegation which included seven members met the Government Agent for Vavuniya and also visited the rehabilitation camps set up in the area for the former LTTE cadres. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Quarrying causing damage

Members of the Environmental Organization for the Protection of Adudolakanda in Navagamuwa staged a protest today in front of the Central Environmental Authority against quarrying with heavy duty machinery and equipment in Adudolakanda. They pointed out that the haphazard quarrying caused extensive damage to historic Korathota Rajamaha Vihara. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

The Heat streak

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, leaps past the defense of Sacramento Kings Jermaine Taylor  and Jason Thompson during first quarter in NBA basketball action in Miami, Florida February 22, 2011. REUTERS

Against the Cost of Living

The health service sector of the Workers Collective Against High Cost of Living (WCAHCL) today staged a protest campaign in front of the National Hospital in Colombo today urging the government to curb the rising cost of living. Seen here are the protestors staging a street play demonstrating the government’s luxury and the public’s hunger. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.   

Assessing the damage

12000 Hectares of paddy cultivation is estimated to have been affected in the recent floods in the Vavuniya district. According to the reports of the Agriculture office in the North Central Province stated that Mullaithivu, Mannar, Jaffna including the Vavuniya areas were affected. Pics by Romesh Madushanka

Pabha’s husband in Court

The husband of popular actress and MP Upeksha Swarnamali better known as Pabha, Mahesh Chaaminda Walawegama being taken to the Gangodawila Magistrate Court this morning. He was warned by the Magistrate not to cause harm to the actress. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Talking about "Cyber Warfare"

A one-day seminar on the topic of Cyber Warfare was conducted by Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya this morning. The picture shows the Army Commander making his presentation at the seminar. Pix by Samantha Perera

Aftermath

The four-storey Pyne Gould Corporation building lies in ruin in central Christchurch February 22, 2011. A strong quake hit New Zealand's second-biggest city of Christchurch on Tuesday for the second time in five months, toppling buildings, causing “multiple fatalities,” trapping people beneath rubble and sparking fires. REUTERS

Skating for birds

Skating for the birds : A parrot trained by the Italian trainer Anthonie Zattu performs wearing a pair of rollerskates during the International Festival of Cirkus Art in Prague. AFP

The prize on display

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy sits on a pedestal before the start of the Group A match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad  February 21, 2011. REUTERS

In memory of our heroes

The Ranaviru Memorial in front of the Kokavil Transmission tower in Kilonocchi erected in memory of 55 military personnel including Captain U.S.Aladeniya was unveiled by Commander of the Sri Lanka Singha Regiment Major General Aruna Jayatilleka today. The relatives of the soldiers who died in action paid floral tributes to the Ranaviru Memmorial. Pix by Romesh Madusanka

Jumping the furthest

France's Teddy Tamgho celebrates after he broke his own triple jump indoor world record with a leap of 17.91 metres, during the French indoor athletics championships, in Aubiere, central France, on February 2011. The 21-year-old bettered his previous mark of 17.90 metres, set at last year's world indoor championships in Doha. AFP PHOTO

A silent protest

Jaffna fishermen and their families held a silent protest in front of the Indian Consulate today against Indian fishermen straying into Sri Lankan fishing waters. The picture shows protesters in front of the Indian Consulate in Jaffna. Pix by Kavisuki and Thas

V for Victory

A Bahraini man shows the V-sign for victory after spending the night in Pearl Square in the capital Manama, the focal point of bloody anti-regime demonstrations.

Century for Mahela

Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene plays a shot during the Group A match in the World Cup Cricket tournament between Sri Lanka and Canada at the Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium in the southern district of Hambantota on February 20, 2011. Sri Lanka made 176 for the loss of two wickets after 31 of their allotted 50 overs. AFP PHOTO

World Cup Cricket fever

Sri Lanka fans cheer before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup group A match between Sri Lanka and Canada in Hambantota, south of Colombo, February 20, 2011.  REUTERS

Back home

A fisherman, who was released by the Somalian pirates, being comforted by relatives. Pix by R.G.W.Jayawardane-Weligama

“Homiez and the Popz”

Members of the touring US “Homiez and the Popz” cricket side pose on the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The “Homiez and the Popz” from the Los Angeles gang hotspot of Compton, are the first American team to tour Australia, where cricket is a national sport. They've toured England five times since forming at LA's Dome Village as the LA Krickets Homeless XI, but it's taken them 16 years to get to Australia, and ste

Skiing

Japan's Emi Hasegawa competes during the first run of the women's Alpine skiing Championship Slalom event in Garmisch Partenkirchen, southern Germany on February  19, 2011. AFP

A fine start

The 10th edition of the ICC World Cup kicked off today in Bangladesh. Seen here is Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag raises his bat after scoring a half century (50 runs) during the first match in the World Cup Cricket tournament between Bangladesh and India at The Sher-e Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on February 19, 2011. AFP

Model planes flown again

Unmanned model planes and aircrafts were launched at a ceremony held at the Ekala Air Force camp today, which were previously banned by the government due to the war. Air Force Commander Roshan Gunatilake present at the ceremony. The Air Force has granted permission for launching and flying unmanned model planes boats and cars within the Air Force base premises. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

It’s here

In the run up to the cricket world cup which starts today, life-sized cut-outs of some of the cricketers who will be in action can be seen all over Colombo. Seen here are some of locations where the cut-outs can be seen. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Elephants getting more visitors

With the tourist industry enjoying a post-war boom, visits by foreigners to popular tourist attractions have been on the rise. Seen here are pictures of tourists who recently visited the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Films or fishermen?

IGP Mahinda Balasuriya and Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha in a serious conversation at the Indian Film Festival organized by the Indian High Commission  in association with the National Film Corporation held in Colombo today. This conversation apparently made the other guests at the film festival wonder whether they were discussing on films or fishermen which had become a serious issue. Pic by Indraratne Balasuriya

Preparing for take-off

The Sri Lanka cricket team took off for Hambantota from the Air Force Ground today, to play in their opening game of the 2011 World Cup against Canada on Sunday at the newly built Sooriyawewa Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. Seen here are the members of the team getting into an Air Force helicopter. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Navy chief meets the police chief

Newly appointed Navy commander, Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake met the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya at the police headquarters today. Pics by Nisal Baduge

Air speed vs Ground Speed

Sprint Cup Series driver Andy Lally (71) drives around the track as a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 fighter jet touches down at the airport next to the track during the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Gatorade Duel race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida February 17, 2011. REUTERS

Final day of Gangaramaya Perehera

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa are seen placing the sacred relics casket on the ceremonial tusker at the Navam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple this evening. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Hedge Fund Trial

Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam leaves federal court after a hearing with lawyer John Dowd (back) in New York February 16, 2011. Onetime billionaire Rajaratnam, 53, was arrested and charged with conspiracy and securities fraud in October 2009 in a sprawling case U.S. prosecutors describe as the biggest probe of insider trading in the $1.9 trillion hedge fund industry. Sri Lankan-born U.S. citizen Rajaratnam, who has pleaded not guilty a

UNP meet in Gampaha

A meeting was held in the Gampaha Balamandala at the residence of the member of Pradeshiya Sabha Ajith Mannapperuma today. Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe was present and the party documentary was issued to UNP members. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana