Dengue awareness campaign

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe is seen here addressing a media briefing on a dengue awareness campaign this morning. The UNP plans to distribute handbills regaring dengue awarness to the public. Deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya and Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene are also seen here. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Cricket vs dengue

While cricketers prepared to take to the field today at Dambulla for a tri-series match, officials took no chances with the mosquitoes. A worker is seen here fumigating the cricket ground as a precautionary measure. Pic by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

A shutterbug cop

A police officer is seen here taking photographs of a group of protestors who made attempts to obstruct the slaughtering of animals at the Munneswaram Kali Amman Hindu Temple in Chilaw this morning. Pic by Jude Samantha

Shocking !

Shown here are images which shocked the country. The x-ray image shows steel nails driven into the hands of a Sri Lankan maid while she was working in Saudi Arabia. The victim is now being treated at a hospital in Matara. Pic by Krishan Jayaruk

Regal entrance

The Kandy Esala Maha Randoli Perahera was held late this evening. The picture shows the tusker Nedungamuwa Raja bearing the Sacred Tooth Relic Casket being escorted during the Esala pageant. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchi 

A jumbo wash

An elephant taking part in the Esala pageant at the Sri Dalada Maligawa is seen here being washed by its mahout in preparation of the final Randoli Perahera which will take place this evening. Pix by Waruna Wanniacrachi  

Pilfering electricity

Officers of the Special Investigation unit of the CEB rounded up around 400 people involved in electricity piracy in a two day operation in Vavuniya. Pic by Romesh Madusanka

Offerings for poya

A group of foreigners are seen here buying flowers in order to take part in religious ceremonies at the Gangarama temple to mark Nikini full moon poya day today. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

The crown goes to...

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, of Guadalajara, stands after being crowned Miss Universe 2010 during the Miss Universe pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada August 23, 2010.  REUTERS

Free at last

Albert Vilalta (L) and Roque Pascual (C), Spanish aid workers who were held hostage for nearly nine months, gesture after being released as they arrive in Barcelona, early August 24, 2010. The two aid workers held by al Qaeda's North African wing were freed on Monday, ending a kidnapping ordeal in the Sahara Desert that lasted nearly nine months. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) seized Vilalta and Pascual while they were travelling th

Ramadan feast

An employee prepares sweets during Ramadan in a shop in Geneva August 23, 2010. Some 310,807 Muslims (4,3 % of the population) were listed in the last national census in 2000 in Switzerland. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS

Inspecting the damage

President Mahinda Rajapakse visited the Sigiriya rock today to inspect the discolored frescos and discuss the remedial measures that could be taken to protect the heritage site. Seen here is the president examining the frescos during his visit. Pix by Kanchana Ariyadasa

Hiding cannabis

More than two acres of cannabis cultivation in the heart of the Kanabendiara forest reserve, on the bank of the Chandrikawewa tank in Embilipitiya was destroyed by the police. The cannabis bushes which had grown up to a height of six feet had been covered with vegetable plants and coconut saplings. Pix by Ajithlal Shanthaudaya

Underwater fashion

Promoters wearing a traditional hanbok perform in a water tank at the “Underwater Hanbok Fashion Show” during a photo call in Seoul August 22, 2010. The event was held to mark the launch of a shopping mall. REUTERS

Honey to the Lord Buddha

The Veddah chief Vanniala Attho is seen here offering bee honey and bee combs to the Sacred tooth relic. The Veddah community traditionally offer bee honey and combs on the first day of the Kandy historic Esala Perahera to the Sacred tooth relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Pic by L.B.Senaratne

Celebrating five wickets

Sri Lankan pace bowler Thisara Perera celebrates after capturing his first five wicket haul in one day international matches during the tri-series match against India at Dambulla today. Pic courtesy Cricinfo

No place to hide

The three armed forces organized a clean up campaign in Kotehena this morning to prevent the dengue menace spreading in the area.  The picture shows an Army officer taking part in the dengue clean up campaign. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Facing the exam

The Grade Five Scholarship examination is being conducted today. More than 300,000 candidates are sitting for the examination from all parts of the country. The picture shows a group of grade 5 students in Vavuniya arriving at their examination center. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

An evening at the Green

People are seen here strolling dwon the Galle face green this evening. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Restored and flying

Swedish pilot Mikael Carlson comes in for a landing in a restored Bleriot XI airplane in Stockholm as part of commemorations for the centenary of heavier-than-air flight in Sweden. REUTERS

Niko fashion

“Niko Goes to Hollywood” a collection of tops, shorts, skirts, slippers, and accessories was unveiled at an ODEL fashion show in Colombo this evening. The picture shows ODEL founder, Otara Gunewardene at the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Combating dengue

Eastern Provincial Councilors are seen here taking part in a dengue awareness campaign today in Trincomalee town, during the dengue awareness week. Pix by Amaradoru Amarageewa

Helping the needy

The Bambalapitiya police held an eye clinic today at the Kadiweshwaran Kovil in Colombo 04 today where many needy people had their eyes checked and were given spectacles. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Painting a town

People paint graffiti during a street festival dedicated to the arts in Havana. The annual urban art festival called Proposiciones and headed by Pablo Milanes and his daughter, singer Suylen Milanes, is aimed at creating an alternative cultural space for human diversity and nature. REUTERS

Prayers and blessings

The annual “ Varalakshmi” ritual which is held to bring long life to husbands and where prayers are offered to unmarried women was held at Sri Venkateshwara Vishnu Temple in Modara today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana 

Something sweet

American Air Force personnel restored a heavily deteriorated school located in Puttalam. The picture shows an American soldier taking part in the restoration of the school handing some sweets to a child. Pix by Hiran Priyankara 

Among the people

UNP leader Ranil Wickremasighe is seen here distributing leaflets during a protest in Jaela today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sangha support

Seen here is senior lecturer of the Anuradapura Bhikku University, Ven. Paththegama Nganasiri thero presenting a book of signatures of the priests supporting the reinstatement of the former Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva. The book was handed over to the Chairman of Sri Lanka Bikkhu Organization, Ven. Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira thero at a gathering of monks at the BMICH which was held to support the reinstatement of the former Deputy Minister.

Fuel racket

A major fuel racket was busted by the Special Task Force with the arrest of some 15 suspects today. The picture shows a bowser and some oil barrels used to transport the low quality fuel. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

An eye for beauty

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna is seen here admiring photographs of models during a photographic exhibition titled “Sri 30” by photojournalist Sri Lal Gomes held at the Art Gallery in Colombo today. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana