Religious activities in Kelaniya

Today is Nawam Full Moon Poya Day. These photos depict scenes at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya where Buddhist devotees engaged in religious activities this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tour of Oman Race

A pack of riders cycles during the 2nd stage of the 2nd Tour of Oman cycling race from Muscat to Al Wutayya, February 16, 2011. REUTERS

Annual Navam Maha Perahara

The annual Navam Maha Perahara of the Gangarama Vihara began this evening and will and also takes place tomorrow. Seen here is the President participating in a ceremony at the Perehara. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

All about speed

The first high speed train service in Sri Lanka was launched between Galle and Matara this morning. The train service is expected to run at 100 Kmph between the two cities. The picture shows the high speed train during the launch. Pix by  Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Leaflets from the sky

Anti-North Korea and pro-U.S. conservative right-wing people and former North Korean defectors living in South Korea release balloons containing leaflets denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong-il toward the North during a rally at Imjingak near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, north of Seoul, on the occasion of Kim Jong-il's birthday, February 16, 2011. The balloons read,”Overthrow dictatorship of Kim Jong-il

A bicycle parade

A bicycle parade organized by the Scouts of the Vavuniya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Scouting in 2012 was held this morning from Vavuniya to Anuradhapura. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Taking a jumbo wash

The picture shows an elephant being washed this morning in preparation for the “Nawam Maha Perahera” scheduled to commence this afternoon from the Gangarama temple in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A licence to kill and sleep

A tabby cat named Larry rests in a room at number 10 Downing Street in London February 15, 2011.   Downing Street has a new occupant  -- a street-smart character with a licence to kill. Larry, a four-year-old tabby, has been brought in to the British Prime Minister's residence to clean up a gang of dirty rats who have been openly parading in front of the TV cameras. REUTERS

“Obeth Rateh Sangwardanaya”

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WRC Rally

Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen of Finland steer their Ford Fiesta RS during the eighth stage of the WRC Rally of Sweden in Lesjoefors, north of Karlstad, 2011. AFP PHOTO

Assets and Liabilities

The Local Government election candidates of the Jathika Hela Urumaya for the Colombo District today handed over their Assets and Liabilities reports to the election authorities. The picture shows JHU member Udaya Gammanpila after the handing over of the reports. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Celebrating “Monlam”

Tibetan Buddhists and tourists view a giant thangka, a Tibetan religious silk painting with embroidery, displayed on a hill near Langmu Temple in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province February 15, 2011. Local Tibetan monks and pilgrims have gathered to celebrate “Monlam”, or Great Prayer Festival, one of the most important festivals in Tibetan Buddhism. REUTERS

Home of the 777

A Boeing 777 jetliner being manufactured for customer Turkish Airlines is seen in the background, near the fuselage of two other 777s (front), on the production line at Boeing's Commercial Airplane manufacturing facility in Everett, Washington February 14, 2011. REUTERS

Nature

Monarch butterflies line a branch of a bush in the Pedro Herrada butterfly sanctuary on a mountain in the Mexican state of Michoacan February 1, 2011. Monarch butterfly colonies in Mexico more than doubled in size this winter after bad storms devastated their numbers a year ago, conservationists said on February 14, 2011 although the migrating insect remains under threat. Millions of butterflies make a 2,000-mile journey (3,200 km) each year fr

After the meeting

Several UNP MPs today met the Election Commissioner to discuss matter concerning to the forthcoming Local Government elections. The picture shows United National Party General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake, MP Ravi Karunanayake and MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena after the meeting with the Election Commissioner. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Freedom and friendship

The Sri Lanka-Pakistan Friendship Association together with The High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka celebrated the 63rd anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence at the Women’s International Hall premises, yesterday. Pics by Kithsiri de Mel

Never Say Never

Jaden Smith and Justin Bieber perform “Never Say Never” at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 13, 2011. REUTERS

Lantern Festival

People release sky lanterns to celebrate the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival in Pingxi, Taipei County. Believers gathered to release sky lanterns as a form of prayer for good luck and blessings. The tradition of releasing lanterns began during the Ching Dynasty when bands of outlaws frequently raided villages, forcing local residents to seek refuge in the mountains. The lanterns were signals used by the village watchmen to inform the refugee

Old is Gold

A vintage car event was organized by the Vintage Car Club of Ceylon today. The picture shows the vintage cars been driven from Moratuwa to Galle Face Green where the final event will be held. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Eye care

The Sri Lanka Optometric Association today held a free eye clinic in light of their 50th Anniversary in Pettah. The picture shows an eye specialist treating one of the patients at the free clinic this afternoon. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Reconstructing the bund

The picture shows soldiers of the Sri Lankan army with the assistance of the Department of Irrigation reconstructing the bund of the Kiwulekada tank which broke due to the recent floods and heavy rain. Agrarian Services and Wild Life Minister S M Chandrasena was present at the opening moment of the reconstructing programme .Pix by Manula Wickrama

Nawam Maha Perahera

The Nawam Maha Perahera, the annual prestigious cultural pageant held at the Gangarama Temple was held last night. The picture shows police personnel who organized last nights events talking past in the pageant. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

"Sayat"

A hunter calls his hawk to land on his arm during an annual traditional hunting competition near the village of Uzynagash outside Almaty, February 12, 2011. Kazakhstan's national sport of Sayat - or hunting with birds of prey - is popular in the Central Asian state. Hunters all over the country arrived for the annual competition.  REUTERS

Bridge work

Army personnel can bee seen here constructing the Mawadioda Bridge”or“Red Bridge as its known, which sustained heavy damage due to the recent floods in Thoppigala area in the Eastern Province. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

All downhill

Yannick Bertrand of France jumps during the men's downhill race at the Alpine Ski World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen February 12, 2011.    REUTERS

Practice match

West Indies Devon Smith is bowled out by Kenya's Thomas Odoyo during a Cricket World Cup warm-up match in Colombo February 12, 2011.  REUTERS

In protective care

Four rare white lion cubs, 10-month-old twin sisters Luna and Ilanga (top), 7-month-old Credo (C), and 10-month-old Bandhura (R) explore the fresh winter air for the first time ever at the Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen February 11, 2011. The cubs arrived in Rhenen 10 weeks ago and are descendants of the white lions, which are only found in the Timbavati nature reserve in South Africa. The white lion is a Kruger lion with a colour gene mutation. The nam

Cricket fever on the rise

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A visit to Welikada

UNP senior members led by Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe made a visit to the Welikada Prison this evening to meet the jailed former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, where they had decided to continue the struggle to get Fonseka released from jail. Pix by Nisal Badhuge

Medical camp for the IDps

A medical camp was organized by the Sri Lanka Army at the Eralakulam IDP center today. The picture shows IDPs being given medical and food supplies at the medical camp. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana