Construct 2010

The final day of the 10th Construct Exhibition is being held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center today. A consumer is seen here discussing about roof tiles with a sales person at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating independence

Indian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha is seen here inspecting the guard of honor as a part of the 64th Independence Day celebrations being held at the Indian High commission in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Lighting the cauldron

Sixteen-year-old Darren Choy of Singapore lights the cauldron to the Youth Olympic flame during the Youth Olympic Game (YOG) in Singapore August 14, 2010. REUTERS

Visiting the port

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here taking a tour of the water basin of the Hambanthota port project with his son MP Namal Rajapaksa today.  The water basin is due to be filled with sea water at an auspicious time tomorrow.  Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

"Moskva" in Colombo

The flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, missile cruiser Moskva (Moscow) is currently docked at the Colombo port. The Commander of the Cruise ship is Deputy Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Naval Surface Force, Captain 1st Rank Igor V. Smolyak and ship is commanded by Guard Captain 1st Rank Sergey I. Tronev. “Moskva” will be docked in Colombo till August 15th. Pix by Samantha Perera

Calling for the release

A protest was organized by the JVP in front of the Fort railway station today calling for the release of remanded parliamentarians Vijitha Herath and Ajith Kumara who were remanded for allegedly assaulting two police officers after the Galle march on Thursday. The picture shows JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva addressing the crowd. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Lending a hand

The Sri Lankan Air Force with the collaboration of the Army, the Police, the Colombo Municipal Council and the assistance of the public launched a dengue prevention campaign in Slave Island today. Pix courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force

Alive with colour

 The Mayurapathy Pathrakali Amman Kovil in Wellawatte held its annual chariot festival, which was alive with colour in its song and dance in Colombo today. Pics by Saman Perera  

Celebrating its first kiss

KISS FM celebrated its 1st year anniversary last night at the North Lawn, Taj Samudra with DJ Anna from the UK playing to a full house of Colombo party goers. Pics by Varuna Vaniarachchi

Up Up and away

Hot air balloons fly in the early morning at the International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol August 13, 2010. The annual event attracts up to half a million spectators over four days with six scheduled mass balloon ascents. REUTERS

Sweet victory

Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga plays a shot as New Zealand's Scott Styris and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins watch during the second one-day international cricket match in the tri-series in Dambulla August 13, 2010.  REUTERS

Merit award for DM

Daily Mirror staff photojournalist Pradeep Pathirana was awarded a Merit award for photojournalism at the All Island Photography Competition organized by Debug and  EPSON today. The picture shows photojournalist Pradeep Pathirana being awarded the certificate by T. Mazaar Morseth, a member of the organizing community at an event held at the Art Gallery. Pix by Nisal Baduge

What a sight!

British High Commissioner Dr. Peter Hayes and his wife are seen enjoying Sri Lanka’s wildlife at the Wilpattu National Park during a visit to the area. Pic Courtesy British High Commission

Keeping an eye

Former Deputy Highways Minister Mervyn Silva is seen here looking at the newly unveiled clock tower in Kiribathgoda this morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Satisfying the tummy

Kids participating in the Scout Camporee are seen here hard at work trying to cook their own meal while camping at the Vihara Mahadevi Park. The Scout Camporee will conclude on Sunday. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

ooh la la…..

Ishanka Madurasinghe, Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe 2010 poses with fellow Miss Universe contestants and a chef at a dinner in Las Vegas, Thursday, as the pre Miss Universe events got underway before the final to be held on 23 August. Pic courtesy Las Vegas Sun

Offering comfort

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here comforting a grieving former Minister Mahinda Wijeysekara, who is still recovering at his residence after suffering serious injuries following an LTTE suicide attack in Matara last year. Pic by Nalin Hewapathirana

Shouting for relief

The Socialist Alliance of the UPFA today launched a picketing and agitation campaign at the Lipton Circus to pressurize the government to provide relief to the people including the monthly salary increase of Rs. 2,500 to public servants. The picture shows Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara taking part in the agitation campaign. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Silence!

Former Deputy minister Mervyn Silva is seen here silencing the crowd who had staged a demonstration supporting him in Kelaniya today.  Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Trying to compare…

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is seen here using a chart to compare the figures of those affected by dengue last year and this year, during a distribution ceremony today of the plasma expander Dextan 40, a life saving drug prescribed for patients suffering from Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.  Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

My troubles behind me

Children who were resettled in Vavuniya recently were given gifts by the Vavuniya 'sector four' police. A child is seen here dragging his gift bags back home. Pic by Romesh Madusanka 

The promise of change

UNP Media Spokesperson Gayantha Karunaratillake, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and UNP Chief Organizer Joseph Michael Perera address the media this evening where it was stated that the UNP will formulate a new constitution for the party and hold discussions to resolve the dispute over party leadership. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Giving evidence

Former government peace secretariat head Bernard Gunatillaka is seen here giving evidence before the Lessons Learnt Commission appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, which began public hearings today. Pic by Nisal Baduge

On alert

Police security was seen deployed outside the Colombo office of former Deputy Highways Minister Mervyn Silva this morning, a day after he was removed from his post. Pic by Sanath Desmond

A generous gift

While Muslims prepare to commence fasting a philanthropist distributed food and dry rations to underprivileged Muslims in the Maligawatta area today to commemorate the event. Picture shows Muslim families in the area accepting some of the gifts. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Where is he?

It will be 200 days this week since journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda went missing. Journalists and family members of Eknaligoda are seen here at a demonstration in Colombo today seeking information on the missing journalist. Pic by Pradeep k. Pathirana

Hummanaya shoots high

The hummanaya blowhole has begun to shoot water up several feet higher than the usual height, drawing large number of crowds to the area. Picture shows visitors awed by the spectacle. Pic by Krishan Jeevaka Jayaruk

Another meeting

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe met President Mahinda Rajapakse today where both agreed to continue talks on constitutional reforms. Pics By Chandana Perera

“Less fossil fuels more solar energy”

Greenpeace activists take part in a protest against the use of fossil fuels in Mexico City yesterday. The banner reads: “Less fossil fuels more solar energy”. REUTERS

Giving a helping hand

The picture shows two Navy personnel giving a helping hand to a Buddhist devotee visiting Naga Vihara (Temple). There has been an influx of devotees visiting Naga Vihara after the cessation of the civil war. Pix by Kushan Pathirajaha