Warning against collapse

United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe hands out leaflets to supporters in Maligawatte today in a protest where he warned that the health and education sectors are near collapse. Pics by Samantha Perera

The time has come

Students of the Tamil Vidyalaya in Vavuniya and students of several Colombo schools are seen here arriving for the Advanced Level examination which began today. Pic by Romesh Madusanka and Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Victims of landslide

People mourn their missing relatives as rescuers search for survivors in the landslide-hit Zhouqu County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province August 9, 2010. Mudslides engulfed a town in northwest China on Sunday, killing at least 127 people and leaving nearly 1,300 residents missing as rescue teams dug out crushed homes and tried to blast away debris clogging a river. REUTERS

Fruits of peace

The people of Jaffna are now steadily going back to their day-to-day activities since the war ended last year. Picture shows residents in Jaffna shopping for the seasonal fruit rambutan during their weekend shopping. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

My best friend

A dog show organized by the Kennel Association of Sri Lanka was held this morning. Kids are seen here kids playing with a dog during the show. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sail away...

Sailing boats make their way through the Baltic Sea during the Hanse Sail sailing festival in Warnemuende near Rostock, northeastern Germany. Organisers expect up to one million visitors to come to the event running from August 5 to 8, 2010.

A different kind of music

Combo of pictures taken on August 7, 2010 shows visitors of the M'era Luna music festival in Hildesheim, central Germany. The festival for alternative and dark musik is one of Europe's biggest. More than 40 bands play gothik, darkwave and alternative music. Organisers expect up to 20,000 visitors at the festival running from August 7 to 8, 2010. AFP

Spiritual flight

A pigeon takes flight near the Thirukethiswaram Temple in Mannar. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Kite craze

Kite season has commenced with the start of school holidays. Street vendors in Colombo are seen setting up kites for sale. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

A silent prayer

Pilgrims light candles at the Madhu Church which commenced its annual festival yesterday in Mannar.  Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Foggy weather

A guard of honour adjusts the service caps of his associates before a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall as a heavy smog shrouds Moscow. South Africa's President Jacob Zuma took part in the ceremony. REUTERS

Surf's up

Blake Thornton of Australia surfs off the lip as he competes beside the pier during the men's third round heats of the US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach, California on August 5, 2010.  The event which brings together the world's best surfers celebrates it's 51st year beside the historic Huntington Pier which is considered the birthplace of California's surfing culture. AFP PHOTO

Chit chat

Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera joined the UNP today. The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremasighe and MP Mangala Samaraweera having a light moment at the UNP Headquarters in Sirikotha after he joined the UNP. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Make way…

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse and Navy Commander Vice Admiral TSG Samarasinghe are seen here at the Galle Dialogue 2010 held today. The function has been organised by the Sri Lanka Navy. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A son's brilliance

.The Rugby encounter between Defence Services (DS) team and Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President’s team kicked off at the Army Headquarters grounds today. President's son Yoshitha Rajapaksa is seen here assisting his teammate in a tackle. Pic by Indrarathne Balasuriya

Make amends!!

Colombo University students staged a protest against the recent dimolishing of Sambodhi Vihara in Arugam Bay and called for the quick reconstruction of it. The students marched from Colombo University premises to Lipton Squire. Pic By Waruna Wanniarachchi

A new duty

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga attended an award ceremony of a women's society at the Puttlam Municipal council. The former president is seen greeted by officials of the society. Pic Hiran Priyankara

Time for a new investigation

The Jathika Hela Urumaya held a meeting today urging UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon to investigate into the killings attributed to the US led coalition forces as said by the leaked ‘wikileaks’ documents. JHU Chairman, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera is seen here addressing the media together with JHU General Secretary Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sharing knowledge

The G15 High Level Task Force meeting was held today at John Exeter International Conference Hall of the Central Bank. Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga is seen here having a conversation with Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs, Romesh Jayasinghe. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Prevention begins now

Minister Maithreepala Sirisena is seen here showing a vial to Minister Dullas Alahapperuma during a dengue awareness programme held in Dehiwala today. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

We want justice!

Islandwide protests were staged today against Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva after his infamous action of tying a Samurdhi officer to a tree on Tuesday. Pics. by Romesh Madushanka, Hiran Priyankara Jayasinhe and  Pradeep Dilrukshana

In court again

General Sarath Fonseka is seen here at the High Court premises today in the presence of his wife and JVP MP Sunil Handunetti prior to the Hicorp case hearing. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

A lucky escape

Bodyguards react as they protect Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) while he greets people in Hamadan, 336 kilometres (208 miles) southwest of Tehran, on August 4, 2010. Ahmadinejad was unhurt after an explosive device, officially described as a firecracker, went off near his motorcade. AFP PHOTO

Studying, come rain or shine

Around 400 students, victims of the Tsunami or war are seen here studying under makeshift classrooms at the Mullaitivu Maha Vidyalaya. Pics by Romesh Madushankar 

Bringing color to life

Students from schools around Colombo came together to paint the Sariputhra Maha Vidyalaya boundary wall today in Colombo 02. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Teachers demand dues

The Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) carried out a protest outside the Colombo Zonal Education office today and then forcibly entered the premises. Seen here are teachers and CTU General Secretary, Joseph Stalin arguing with Colombo Zonal Education Director Chitrangani Lunuwila. Pic by Samantha Perera

The final touches

A Hindu Priest is seen here putting the final touches to the Vel cart prior to the commencement of the Slave Island Sivasubramaniya Hindu Temple festival this morning. Pic by Indraratna Balasuriya

A day at the courts

Editor of Sinhala newspaper Lanka, Chandana Sirimalwatte made an appearance at court today over a charge for contempt of court. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja 

Future power

Delegates hand President Mahinda Rajapakse a miniature windmill at the National Energy Exhibition which President Rajapakse officially opened today at the BMICH. The exhibition will be open to the public tomorrow. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Another day, another rally

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva addresses a large gathering of supporters at the Vihara Maha Devi Park earlier today where the JVP held a rally. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana