Fire in Meedumpitiya

A vast area of the Meedumpitiya forest reserve in Passara was destroyed by a bush fire that broke out last night. The forest reserve was still ablaze even this morning. The Forest Conservation Officials of the area said the poachers often set fire to the forest reserves during the drought to track down wild animals (Pics Prasanna Padmasiri)

134 tonnnes of marijuana

Soldiers unload 134 tonnes of marijuana to be incinerated at the military base Morelos in Tijuana October 20, 2010. Soldiers seized the drug on Monday in Mexico's biggest-ever pot haul, the army said. REUTERS

Name them

“We Are Sri Lankans” has organized a petition campaign urging the government to disclose the names of Tamil detainees in custody. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Cheers!!!

DNA leader Sarath Fonseka being greeted by a supporter when he arrived at the Court of Appeal premises today for the hearing of his case against the second court martial ruling. Pic By Nisal Baduge

Chelsea Hotel up for sale

The Chelsea hotel on West 23rd Street in New York that inspired creative talent from Sir Arthur Clarke to Sid Vicious is up for sale. REUTERS

Discovered

A painting is seen in a newly discovered tomb near the Giza pyramids October 19, 2010. The tomb dates back to the Fifth Dynasty of 2,514 to 2,374 B.C. and belonged to the priest Rwd-ka who conducted prayer rituals before statues of a departed pharaoh.     RETUERS

Media protest

The picture shows a group of journalists holding placards and chanting slogans urging the authorities to take immediate action against policemen who attacked journalists’ last week. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

No laughing matter

A member of the Parliamentary Delegation from the Common-Wealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK converses with Speaker of the Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa during a courtesy call. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Fonseka in court

DNA leader Sarath Fonseka arrives at the Court of Appeal for hearing of his petition against the verdict of the Second Court Martial. Pic by Samantha Perera

Lara at PGA

Cricket legend Brian Lara (L), Premier of Bermuda Ewart Brown (C) and golfer Ernie Els pose for a picture during the 28th PGA Grand Slam Pro-Am at the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, October 18, 2010. REUTERS

Ther festival

The annual festival of the Sri Vengadehswara Maha Vishnu Templie in Mutwal was celebrated today morning. Pic By Pradeep Dilruckshana

Mangala, Ravi visit Fonseka

UNP MPs Mangala Samaraweera and Ravi Karunanayake come out of prison after visiting DNA Leader Sarath Fonseka. Pic By Nisal Badhuge

SAARC cadet officers

A group of cadet officers from Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan met the Air Force Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshall P.B Premaratne at the Air Force Headquarters today. The cadet officers are in the country for ten days and they will be attending the passing out parade of cadets at Rantabe on October 23. Seen here Air Vice Marshall P.B.Premachandra talking to the Indian cadet officers. Pic By Pradeep Pathirana

A peck on Minister of Culture

UNP parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena greeting Minister of Cultural Affairs Pavithra Wanniarachchi at the recently held Sumathi film awards ceremony.

Houses to replace slums

The government has launched a project to build houses for 819 people who are currently living in illegal housing structures, at a cost Rs. 55 million. Seen here are some of the beneficiaries at the launch of the project. Pics by Kithsiri De Mel

Blessings for the tour

The Sri Lankan Cricket team left for Australia yesterday night to take part in the 2010 Australian Cricket tour. The Sri Lankan cricket team is seen taking part in religious observances before their departure. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Murray triumphs over Federer

Andy Murray of Britain holds aloft his trophy in front of a Chinese national flag after winning the final against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament October 17, 2010. REUTERS

Next batsman

The opening of the ticket reservations for the ICC Cricket World Cup was announced at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambanthota today. Seen here is MP Namal Rajapaksa son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the announcement ceremony. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Goddess of Learning

A religious ceremony to mark the final day of the Saraswathi Pooja, which celebrates Goddess Saraswathi who is considered the Goddess of Learning, was held at the Kotahena Ponnampalawaneswaram Kovil in Colombo today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Where are you going?

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and JVP MP Vijitha Herath are seeing here discussing matters before addressing the JVP Provincial Councilors this morning. The JVP leadership which met the Provincial Councilors educated them regarding the party’s future path. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja  

Vettori in action

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Rescued Marmoset

A Pygmy Marmoset (Callithrix pygmaea) is seen at a primate rescue and rehabilitation center near Santiago . The Pygmy Marmoset, known as the world's smallest monkey and under danger of extinction, was confiscated after being found inside the clothes of a Peruvian citizen during a highway police check at the northern city of Antofagasta, some 1367 km (849 miles) of Santiago. REUTERS

Penguin chick

An African penguin chick walks out of his nest at the Tropiquarium in Servion near Lausanne October 16, 2010. The eggs were incubated by the parents for around a month, then the babies stayed under them for a few weeks in order to gain weight and slowly adventured outside their nest since October 14 according to the Tropiquarium owner Philippe Morel.  REUTERS

Senkaku conflict

A protester in the traditional costume Kimono shouts slogans during an anti-Chinese march in Tokyo October 16, 2010.  Thousands of Japanese on Saturday protested against China's claims to the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and Diaoyu in China. They also demanded the release of  Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo of China.   REUTERS

Notice to leave

Students of the Kelaniya University, except medical faculty students were informed to vacate the hostel premises in and outside the university until further notice. The picture shows a vacated hostel at the University.  Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Passing by

Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain rides during the qualifying session of the Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island near Melbourne October 16, 2010. The Australian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. REUTERS

A junior lion

An African lion cub is pictured in his cage during a presentation to the public in Berlin, October 15, 2010. Two lions Nathan and Miron were born on August 26 and fed by the employees of the Berlin Zoo in the German capital.     REUTERS

A new life

More than 500 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres were released today. The picture shows rehabilitated cadres being provided with transport to go back to their homes.  A cultural event was also organized as a part of the farewell ceremony. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Exploring options

Higher Education and Career Fair “ADYAPANA” is currently being held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center. The picture shows students exploring future career and education options at the Exhibition. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Behind the buffaloes

Minister of Housing and Common Amenities, Wimal Weerawansa is seen here steering buffaloes during the Wapmagul” ceremony in Oruwela, Egodawatta this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge