Expanding

Construction work is currently underway in the Bambalapitiya to Colpetty Galle road stretch. The construction is line with plans to expand the existing road lanes. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi

Saraswathi Puja

The annual Hindu religious ritual the “Saraswati Puja” held at the Parliament which is organized by the Speaker of the House was held this afternoon. The picture shows Speaker Chamal Rajapkasa taking part in a ritual during the religious ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

For higher pensions

Pensioners island wide held a protest walk today calling the government to increase the pension payments in the next budget. The picture shows pensioners taking part in the protest walk. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana 

Taking a leap

India's Harikrishnan competes during the Long Jump qualification event of the Track and Field competition of the XIX Commonwealth games on October 8, 2010 in New Delhi. The Commonwealth Games reaches the halfway stage of competition on October 8, with the busiest day of gold medal action in prospect. AFP

First ladies of yesterday……

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Nobel Laureate

Mario Vargas Llosa winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize for Literature, smiles while speaking to the media in New York. The Peruvian-born writer and one-time presidential candidate, a chronicler of human struggles against brutal authority in Latin America, won the 2010 Nobel prize for literature on Thursday. REUTERS

Adhistana Pooja at Maligawa

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“Pitrupaksh”

An Indian Hindu devotee performs “Tarpan”, a ritual to pay obesience to ones forefathers, on the last day of “Pitrupaksh” - days for offering prayers to ancestors on the banks the river Mahananda in Siliguri on October 7, 2010. In Hindu mythology, this day is also called 'Mahalaya' and described as the day when the gods created the ten armed goddess Durga to destroy the demon king Asura who plotted to drive out t

Sponsored by Muthuhettigama

Saman Udugamsuriya who set out to create a Guinness World Record of travelling the entire coastline of the country by foot, arrived at Galle face yesterday to complete his feat.  The event was sponsored by Galle District MP Nishantha Muthuhettigama. Seen in the picture is Udugamsuriya reaching his final destination. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Tender an apology

Ven Prof Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera who called on Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to tender an apology to president speaks to the media at a briefing held at Abhayarama in Colombo today. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Lifting medals

Gold medallist Ravi Kumar Katulu of India (C), silver medallist Vidanage Chinthana Geetal Vidanage (L) of Sri Lanka and bronze medallist Hafifi Mansor of Malaysia pose with their medals for the men's 69kg weightlifting competition at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi October 6, 2010. REUTERS

Swimming heats

English swimmer Rebecca Adlington competes in a heat of the women's 800 metre freestyle for The Commonwealth Games at The S.P. Mukherjee Aquatics Centre Stadium in New Delhi. The Commonwealth Games are taking place in the Indian capital from October 3-14.  AFP

All for SF

UNP Provincial Councillors and supporters gathered at Independence Square today to protest the jailing of former Parliamentarian General Sarath Fonseka. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe also made an appearance at the protest. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana 

Showing gratitude

Students of Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Kotte are seen worshipping a teacher during the World Teachers' Day celebrations held at the school this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Thun Kal Dekma mess

The parliament grounds which had been a paradise for joggers and sports fans was turned in to a muddy mess following the Thun Kal Dekma exhibition organized by the Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities which has Wimal Weerawansa as subject minister. Pic by Varuna Vanniarachchi.

A Lankan winner

Sri Lanka's bronze medal winner Anton Sudesh Peiris Kurukulasooriyage attempts a lift during the men's 62 kg weightlifting clean and jerk event during the Commonwealth Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru sports complex in New Delhi on October 5, 2010. The Indian capital is hosting the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting event in the city since the 1982 Asian Games. AFP

Nursing matters

The Government Nursing Officers' Association (GNOA) held a protest in front of the National Hospital in Colombo today calling for a change in the GNOA’s constitution. Seen here are nursing staff taking part in the protest. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A visit to Welikada

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasighe visited former Army commander Sarath Fonseka at the Walikada prison this afternoon. The Opposition Leader had informed Sarath Fonseka regarding the letter that was forwarded to the President requesting his release. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Lodging issues

Students of the Kelaniya University staged a protest campaign today in front of the university urging the university administration to solve their accommodation issues. Seen here are students taking part in the protest. Pic by Nisal Baduge

In support of SF

A public petition was signed in front of the Fort Railway station by the joint opposition and supporters of the former army commander Sarath Fonskea this afternoon calling for his release. The picture shows Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasighe, JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and UNP General Secretary Tissa Athanayake signing the petition. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Roar !

Workers display Siberian tiger cubs at the raising center of the Dalian Forest Zoo in Dalian, Liaoning province October 4, 2010. The four cubs were born to two different mothers on Monday at the zoo, local media reported. REUTERS

Sanga – CEAT Cricketer of the Year

Skipper of Sri Lanka cricket team Kumar Sangakkara won the CEAT Cricketer of the Year award at a gala ceremony held at Water’s Edge last night. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Catching a wave

Ty Watson of Australia surfs in the second round heat at the Oakley World Pro Junior Championships in Bali October 5, 2010. The junior championships is the first of two Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) events which decide the ASP World Junior Champion for the 2010 season.  REUTERS

By his side

The joint opposition held a protest outside the court premises in Hulftsdorp today. The picture shows the former Army commander being escorted to the Court premises with Anoma Fonseka by his side. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Blessings from the Kovil

The traditional flag blessing ritual of the Sri Lanka Army was held today at the Captain Garden Hindu Kovil in Maradana.  The flag blessing ceremony was organized to coincide with the 61st anniversary of the Sri Lankan Army which falls on the 10th of October. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Water works

The water supply to several areas in Colombo is currently disrupted due to an accident which occurred near the Diyawanna Oya this morning. A vehicle reportedly belonging to a high ranking government official had skidded of the road and collided with a Water Supply line damaging the pipeline.  Pix by Waruna Wanniacrachi.

No to slaughter

A protest against the slaughter of animals for religious rites was organized by the Multi-Religious Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in front of the Colombo Municipal Council this morning. The picture shows animal rights activists displaying posters during the protest. Pix by Nisal Baduge 

Daily life in India

An installation of bicycles depicting scenes from daily life in India is pictured during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi October 3, 2010.  REUTERS

Religious ceremonies for SF

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Sent by President’s media

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Natural History Museum in New York with H.E.Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa,Sept.23,2010. (Photo-White House)