More protests

The government midwifes service association staged a protest today against the alleged attempt by the government to train nurses to operate as midwifes thus placing the future of qualified midwifes in jeopardy. A group of midwifes are seen here during the protest. Pic by Kithsiri deMel

The winners are..

Daily Mirror photojournalist Samantha Perera, journalist Dianne Silva, Daily Mirror Deputy Editor Sunil Jayasiri and Sports Editor Channaka De Silva pose at the Sri Lanka Journalism Awards which was held this evening. Pic by Nisal Banduge

And that's how its done..

Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa and Minister of External Affairs,Prof. G.L. Peiris met with Japan's special envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi during an official visit to Japan. Minister Rajapaksa is seen here smiling at Akashi while he explains something to the Sri Lankan ministers.

There's time to kill..

University lecturers are seen waiting till the Federation of University Teacher's Association conducted a media briefing this evening. 4000 University lecturers carried out a token strike today demanding that their salaries be increased. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

It's time

The President's award for special scientific research was held this morning under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The President is seen here checking his watch as he prepares to take his place during the event. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

On top

Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara celebrates after scoring a double century during the second Test match against India. This is Sangakkara’s seventh double century. (Pic courtesy cricinfo)

A trail of destruction

A fire which raged across Mamaduwa, Vavuniya last evening destroyed over 200 acres of forest area. The fire was distinguished with the assistance of the Air Force. Picture shows some of the destruction caused by the fire. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

Maintenance train wreckage

Picture taken on July 26, 2010 shows the wreckage of a maintenance train after four or five wagons drove through a shop at the train station in Stavoren, on July 26, 2010. Two people in the cabin of the train suffered minor injuries. At the time of the accident four people were aboard the train. AFP PHOTO

Floating on plastic

Skipper Jo Royle waves as the 'Plastiki', a boat made from 12,500 plastic bottles, completes her 8,000-nautical mile trans-Pacific voyage from San Francisco by entering Sydney Harbour on July 26, 2010. The experimental catamaran, made from reclaimed plastic bottles, recycled aluminum irrigation pipe and held together with organic glue made from cashew nut husks and sugarcane, took 128 days to cross the world's largest ocean to highlig

Stick to your lane!

Several police notices were seen in Colombo today advising bus drivers to stick to the left lane when driving. The picture shows bus drivers reacting to the police advice. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

First day

Sri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara acknowledges the crowd after scoring his century against India during the first day of their second test cricket match in Colombo July 26, 2010. REUTERS

And the drama continues

A police man is seen here having a conversation on the walkie talkie while university students staged a demonstration in front of the Kelaniya university this afternoon blocking traffic in the area. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Confident smile

The 'white flag’ case involving General Sarath Fonseka was taken up at the Colombo Chief Magistrates Court today. Fonseka is seen here leaving the court complex with a confident smile. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Beware of mines

The FSD carried out an awareness program regarding mines in the Muallaithivu area. Seen here are actors staging the awareness program with the theme 'Stay Safe- Bright Future' Pic by Romesh Madusanka

Land to sea

Amphibious vehicles navigate on the Nantes to Brest canal near Redon, southwestern France, for the opening of the “Amphib 2010” event, an international amphibious vehicles gathering in Peillac on July 25, 2010. About 50 vehicles from 12 countries take part in this event to be held until July 30, 2010.  AFP PHOTO

Giving advice

Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara (R) and chief selector Aravinda de Silva talk at a practice session at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 25, 2010, ahead of the second Test match againstn India scheduled to start July 26. India needs to win at least one of the two remaining Test matches if they are to retain their number one ranking status. Sri Lanka won the first Test at Galle by ten wickets. AFP

Beginning of the Vas season

A special ceremony was held at the Vajiranyana temple in Maharagama today in lieu of the Esala full moon poya. At the ceremony, worshippers invited  monks at the temple for the Vas season. Pic By Kushan Pathiraja

Wind to generate electricity

Minister of Power and Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka laid the foundation stone for the new wind power project in Daluwa in Nirmalapura today. Pic by Hiran Priyankara

Laid to rest

The coffin of Susantha Aruna Bandara, the third year Ruhunu University student who had died under unknown circumstances was laid to rest by his fellow colleagues at the Hariligama public cemetery in Buttala this evening. Pic by Sumanasiri Gunathilake

Blessings from Buddha

Today is Esala full moon Poya day, which is celebrated by Buddhists Island wide. Esala Poya is significant to Buddhists as the day Lord Buddha preached his first dhamma sermon, the 'Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta'. The picture shows devotees at the Gangarama temple taking part in religious observances. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Nature’s fury

Water from the Maquoketa River in Iowa, USA surges through the Delhi Dam as it collapses under the strain of heavy rains on Saturday, July 24. People downstream were being evacuated as boats, propane tanks and buildings were pushed along by the rushing water.  EPA

Chasing the first son

A CR and FC player is seen here chasing Navy player and the son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa during the Caltex Clifford Cup knock-out rugby tournament semi finals today, Navy defeated CR and FC and will now face Kandy SC in the tournament finals. Pix by Waruna Vanniarachi

Coastal clean up

The Civil Defence Force and the Sri Lankan Army today held a dengue cleanup campaign in the Trincomalee district. Seen here are soldiers attached to the Civil Defence Force cleaning mosquito breeding places along the coast of Trincomalee. Pix by Amadoru Amarageewa

Coconut growers launch website

The Coconut growers association of Sri Lanka selected  members for the Executive committee at the BMICH this morning. Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne was the Chief guest for the occasion. The launch was followed by an exhibition. The prime minister is seen here launching the association's website. Pic Waruna Wanniarachchi

March to the fore

Philippine soldiers march during a change of command ceremony at the Philippine army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Manila on July 23, 2010. Philippine President Benigno Aquino overturned a government order to send troops onto the streets of Manila to deal with a water crisis, saying this was an “overreaction.” AFP

A friendly thriller

Unbeaten league champs St. Peter’s College beat Royal College 29-27 in a friendly rugby match this evening. This was a fitting climax to a hotly contested season as the two knock-out finalists produced fine rugby, much to the satisfaction of the crowd at Reid Avenue today ignoring a move to halt the deciding match. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Clearing facts

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya is seen here addressing a media briefing held this evening. The IGP cleared some facts surrounding the death of a third year student of the Ruhunu University who passed away last night after allegedly being assaulted by the police. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Rescued

A fire drill was held at the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation office in Colombo today to educate its employees on how to react during a fire. The picture shows a fire fighter demonstrating how to rescue a civilian from a top floor of a burning building. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Lord Murukan’s victory

The” Vel festival” held in honor of Lord Murukan better known as Kataragama Deviyo, to commemorate the victory of Sri Murukan over the forces of evil was held in Colombo today. Seen here are President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa attending a ceremony at the festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge  

Combating dengue

The Army was called in to give a helping hand to combat the fast spreading dengue menace in the island. The picture shows army personnel talking to students at a dengue cleanup project at a school in Colombo-12  today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel