Yasi in Coral Sea

A weather satellite image obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency shows tropical cyclone Yasi in the Coral Sea approaching the coast of Australia on February 1, 2011.  REUTERS

Escorting pirates

Indian police officials escort alleged pirates at a police station in Mumbai on January 31, 2011. The 15 alleged Somalian pirates were arrested by the Indian Navy following a gunbattle off the coast of Lakshadweep Islands. The pirates were caught after the Thailand-registered ship “Prantalay” was intercepted by Indian Navy's Fast Attack Craft (FAC) INS Canskaro in the Arabian Sea, according to police. AFP PHOTO

After the fire

The office premises of the news website LankaeNews was set on fire by an unidentified group this morning. The picture shows the office premises after the fire was extinguished. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Australian Open Winners

Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) holds the winner's trophy after beating Andy Murray of Britain (L) who poses with the runner's-up shield after their men's singles final on the fourteenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 30, 2011. AFP PHOTO

“India Against Corruption”

People hold anti-corruption placards while listening to speeches during a march “India Against Corruption” in New Delhi on January 30, 2011. Marking the 63rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, thousands of people participated in a protest march against corruption.The march, that is taking place simultaneously in 60 cities across India, is part of an anti-graft campaign by civil society groups. AFP PHOTO

All smiles

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe UNP Gampaha District MP Ruwan Wijewardene Provincial council  member Ajith Manaperuma in a lighter moment at the youth meeting organized by the UNP Youth Wing National Youth Front in Gampaha today. This was the first public gathering organized by the party following the handing over of nominations for the forthcoming local government election. Pic By Kushan Pathiraja

Tribute to Gandhi

An Indian Sham Lal Gandhi poses as he spins cotton next to a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute on Martyr's Day in Amritsar on January 30, 2011. Martyr's Day is celebrated to mark the death anniversary of Gandhi who was assassinated by a hindu fanatic in 1948.  AFP PHOTO

Thar she blows

The Sri Lanka Navy today launched its whale watching facility for the public at the Galle harbor in its A-543 naval vessel.  The naval vessel can accommodate over 100 persons in a 3 or 6 hour whale watching journey. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

“Year of the Rabbit” is near

This photo taken on January 29, 2011 shows pedestrians walking past a decoration for the upcoming Lunar New Year, or the “Year of the Rabbit” celebrations in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu province. The Lunar New Year holiday is the most important annual celebration in China, when the nation largely shuts down as families gather together for reunions and feasts. More than 2.5 billion passenger trips by air, rail, bus or sea will

Lion dance

A participant waits to perform during the first lion dance competition held to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year in Manila January, 2011. Some 12 competing “lions” from different lion dance troupes joined in the activity which aims to promote Metro Manila as a tourist destination. REUTERS

Acquiring a 'nationality'

Photo taken on january 28, 2011 shows one of the four elephants held 'hostage' in Morocco walking on a no man's land close to Casablanca's Great Mosque, following European Union travel restrictions that prevent wild animals coming from Africa to enter the EU. But having spent more than six months in Morocco “under European rules they have technically acquired the 'nationality' of the country where they are,”

Indian education

“The Great India Education Fair” is currently being held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre. The picture shows a presentation being made regarding the Education Fair today. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Australian Open tennis champ

Kim Clijsters of Belgium holds her trophy after winning Li Na of China in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 29, 2011. REUTERS

Ash everywhere

An aerial view shows volcanic ashes covering over Takaharu town caused by eruption of Shinmoedake peak, between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, January 29, 2011. Ash and rocks fell across a wide swathe of southern Japan straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima on Thursday, as one of Mount Kirishima's many calderas erupted, prompting authorities to raise alert levels and call on for an evacuation of all residents within 2 km (1

Volcanic lightning

Volcanic lightning or a dirty thunderstorm is seen above Shinmoedake peak as it erupts, between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, in this photo taken from Kirishima city and released by Minami-Nippon Shimbun January 28, 2011. Ash and rocks fell across a wide swathe of southern Japan straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima on Thursday, as one of Mount Kirishima's many calderas erupted, prompting authorities to raise alert levels

Snake charming

A group of foreigners attending the second day of the Galle Literary Festival are seen here posing with a snake belonging to a snake charmer. Pic by Manoj Ratnayake 

Aiming the ball

Andy Murray of Britain plays a stroke during his men's semi-final match against David Ferrer of Spain on the twelfth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 28, 2011.   The match is tied at one set all as play continues. AFP PHOTO

Training complete

A passing out parade for Air Force recruits which included the commissioning of four lady officers and other officers was held at the Trincomalee Air Force training camp. The picture shows Air Force personnel during the passing out parade. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Fighting for pension rights

Members of the Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union staged a protest front of the National Savings Bank in Colombo today demanding the government to restore the agreed pension rights for the state bank employees.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Money Money Money

The 175th Branch of Sampath Bank was opened this morning by Central Bank Governor Ajith N. Cabraal. The Bank located at 103, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 is a Super Branch.  Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Damaged Laut Teduh to Anyer beach

The damaged Indonesian Laut Teduh 2 ferry, which caught fire, is towed to Anyer beach in Indonesia's Banten province January 28, 2011. At least eleven people were killed on Friday after a fire broke out on the ferry, which was heading to Sumatra island, according to a local television reporter. Around 200 passengers were onboard the ferry and about 100 have been rescued by passing vessels. REUTERS

Shinmoedake peak erupts

An aerial view shows Shinmoedake peak erupting between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures January 28, 2011. Ash and rocks fell across a wide swathe of southern Japan straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima on Thursday, as one of Mount Kirishima's many calderas erupted, prompting authorities to raise alert levels and call on for an evacuation of all residents within 2 km (1.2 miles) radius of the volcano. REUTERS

“The man of the forest”

An orangutan roams an enclosure in Ragunan zoo in Jakarta on January 27, 2011. Orangutans are far more genetically diverse than thought, a finding that could help their survival, say scientists delivering their full DNA analysis of the critically endangered ape. The study, published January 27 in the science journal Nature, also reveals that the orangutan -- “the man of the forest” -- has hardly evolved over the past 15 million years,

Day 1 at the Galle Lit Fest 2011

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at the Galle Literary Festival 2011. The Galle Literary Festival 2011 kicked off on Jan 26 Wednesday and will continue till Sunday (Jan 30). Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Lost Humboldt penguin

A lifeguard releases Tomas, a lost Humboldt penguin, near a penguin colony on San Lorenzo Island January 26, 2011. Tomas was rescued by lifeguards on Sunday after losing his way and landing at the beach of Agua Dulce in the Lima district of Chorrillos. Humboldt penguins, poached for meat and sought after as household pets, are considered an endangered species according the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture. REUTERS

Wijeya awarded for clean production

Wijeya Newspaper’s Limited’s Hokandara press complex yesterday won the Silver  award in the coveted National Cleaner Production Awards under the category “Manufacturing Small and Medium”. The picture shows Janaka Rathna Kumara, Assistant General Manager at Wijeya newspaper’s Hokandera Press Complex receiving the award from Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and commerce Tilak Collure. Neither Bronze nor the

Celebrating independence

High Commissioner of India Mr. Ashok K. Kantha salutes a guard of honour at the Flag Hoisting Ceremony held yesterday at the India House on occasion of 62nd Republic Day of India. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Seminar on terrorism to be held

The Army in coordination with the Defense Secretary is to conduct a program from May 31- June 2 on international terrorism and related topics at the Galadari Hotel. Seen here is Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya speaking at a press conference about the seminar held at the Army Headquarters. Pictures by Pradeep Patirana

Easing the burden

The Coconut Development Board sold coconuts to consumers at a concessionary price at Fort today. Consumers were sold 5 coconuts valued at Rs. 30 each. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

JVP hand over nominations

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) handed over their nominations for the local government elections at the Election Secretariat today. Seen here are JVP secretary Tilvin Silva and Sunil Handunetti walking out after handing over their nominations. Pic by Waruna Wanniarchchi