Guard of Honour

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff who is on a three day visit was given a guard of honour at the Army Headquarters this morning and had bilateral talks with the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya. Pics By Pradeep Pathirana

Uli’s first photo shoot

Baby elephant Uli hides behind his mother Sabie in their enclosure at the zoo in Wuppertal, western Germany, as he has his first photocall on January 18, 2011. Uli was born at the zoo on January 16, 2011. AFP

Pakistan Army Chief arrives

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, arrived today on a three day visit and was received by Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Bandaranaike International Airport after he arrived in a Pakistan Air Force plane.  Pic By Nisal Baduge

Festivities at Nuwara Eliya

The Maha Kumbabisegam festival was celebrated today morning at the Eswara temple of Sri Gayathri Peedam in Nuwara Eliya today, and is held once a year. Pix: Waruna Wanniarachchi.

Teaching meditation

Ajahn Brahm Thero, the world renowned meditation teacher from Perth, conducted a mediation programme today at the BMICH with the participation of several thousands of devotees. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Observing Duruthu Poya

Buddhist devotees light joss sticks at Gangarama Temple, Colombo today to mark Duruthu Poya. Pic by Kitsiri de Mel

Kelaniya Perahera

The annual Duruthu Maha Perahera of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya was held yesterday night. Seen here is Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe placing the casket carrying the sacred relics at the start of the Perahera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SBX

Australia's Alex Pullin, Seth Wescott of the U.S., Italy's Luca Matteotti, and Nate Holland of the U.S.  are airborne as they compete in the men's Snowboard Cross (SBX) final to be placed in first, second, fourth and third position respectively at the FIS Snowboard World Championships in La Molina January 18, 2011. The championships take place in Barcelona and La Molina from January 15 to 22.    REUTERS

Beginning school

The picture shows year two students of the Ananda Sastralaya in Kotte greeting year one students on their first day at school today. January 18th was the first day of the school for year one students. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Preparing for Perahera

The Kelani Duruthu Perahera commenced today and the Randoli Perahera will be held for three days. The picture shows the elephants being prepared for the Preahera. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Against attacks on media

Media organizations today held a protest at the Fort railway station alleging that that the responsibility of the attacks on the media in the recent past lay with the government. The picture shows media personnel at the protest rally. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tragedy

A nine month old infant is missing while the mother is in critical condition after the motor cycle they were traveling collided with a bus near the Kandalam tank a short while ago. The father of the infant died due to the accident. The infant and the two parents were traveling in a motorcycle when they collided with a bus near the Kandalam tank pushing the motorcycle into the water. Search and rescue operations are underway to locate the infant

Meeting Gaddafi

Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Al-Gaddafi is seen here greeting Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa during their meeting in Tripoli, Libya. Parliamentarian Mr. Sajin De Vas Gunawardane were also presnt at the meeting. Pix By : Udesh Gunarathna

Sled Dog Racing

Mushers and their dogs rush at the mass start of the Haute Maurienne trophy of the La Grande Odyssee sled dog race in Bessans January 17, 2011. The race crosses the Alps in France and Switzerland covering over 1000 km (621 miles) over 11 days. REUTERS

Rations for the victims

The picture shows rations being handed out to children who were displaced in Batticaloa due to the floods and heavy rain. The situation in the area is expected to get better with the flood water receding. Pix by Samantha Perera

Blessing !

Father Juan Villa blesses a dog outside Madrid's San Anton church January 17, 2011. Hundreds of pet owners bring their animals to be blessed every year on the day of San Anton, Spain's patron saint of animals. REUTERS

Helping the cause

Several businessmen met Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake today and provided relief goods to be distributed to the victims of the recent flooding. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

School must go on

Two teachers clean up the floor of a classroom at Anaipanthy R.M.K. Maha Vidyalaya , Batticaloa. Schools were reopened for academic activities today after the recent floods. Most schools were found to be filled with sludge and muddy water. Pix by Samantha Perera

Guard of honor

India's Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik is seen here walking past the guard of honor as he arrives at the Sri Lankan Air Force headquarters today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Paying last respects

Ranjit Senanayake, father of SLFP parliamentarian Vasantha Senanayake, passed away on Saturday night. The picture show UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake paying their last respects to late Ranjit Senanayake today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

“Luminarias”

A man rides his horse through flames during the “Luminarias” annual religious celebration on the night before Saint Anthony's, Patron of animals, in the village of San Bartolome de los Pinares, about 100 km (62 miles) north west of Madrid January 16, 2011. According to tradition people from the area ride their horses through the fire to purify the animals. Picture taken January 16. REUTERS

In memory of the founders

An alms giving was held in light of the YMBA Founders’ Day at the YMBA main hall in Borella today. The picture show outgoing president of the YMBA Mr. Prasanna Goonatilleke taking part in the offering of Sangika Dana today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Visiting Ampara

Mohammad Ali bin Mohmmad Rusthan The Chief Minster of Malaka in Malaysia visited the people of the flood affected  Ampara District at the invitation of SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem today. Pix by S.L Azis

Connecting Jaffna and Pooneryn

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today declared opened the Sangupiddy Bridge which connects Jaffna and Pooneryn. The cost of the bridge is Rs. 1037 Million. Pix by Presidnt Media

Offensive t-shirt changed

An Ukrainian woman who wore a t-shirt printed with a picture of the Buddha changed her attire after being requested to do so by a monk in the Unawatuna area.  The monk had informed the tourist that it offended Buddhism. Pix by D.G.Sugathapala-Unawatuna

In all its splendor

The Kelani Duruthu Perahera will be conducted from today for three days with the Randoli Perahera being held on the final day. The picture shows the procession of the Dorakada Asna  Perahera the first pageant of the Kelani Duruthu Perahera. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Lemur meal

Two ring-tailed lemurs enjoy salad on January 14, 2011 at the Hagenbeck zoo in Hamburg, northern Germany. The animals are native to the rainforests of Madagascar.    AFP PHOTO

Mid air

Austria's Stefan Thurnbichler soars through the air during the practice session of  the FIS World Cup Ski Jumping in Sapporo, northern Japan, January 15, 2011.  REUTERS

Relief for the distressed

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is seen here distributing flood relief items among the flood affected people in Batticaloa during his visit today

New Navy Chief

The New Navy Commander Vice Admiral D. W. A. S. Dissanayake today assumed duties at the Navy Headquarters. The picture shows the newly appointed Navy chief assuming duties.  Pix by Gayan Amarasekara