For one of their own

Mid wives at the Jaffna hospital held a protest in front of the Jaffna Health Department today protesting over the alleged murder of a mid wife by a doctor last week. According to reports, the doctor had tried to stage the death as a suicide to cover up the murder. Pix by N. Parameswaran

Victory for Paul

Spain's Andres Iniesta holds a mock version of Paul the oracle octopus as he and his team mates celebrate their World Cup victory on a stage in Madrid July 12, 2010. The octopus, who lives in an aquarium in the German city of Oberhausen, had picked Spain to beat the Netherlands in Sunday's final.  REUTERS

Eyeing the trophy

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara pose for a picture with  the upcoming test series trophy during a media conference in Colombo. India will play Sri Lanka in the three-test series starting at Galle on July 18th. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Talking about reforms

The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremasighe addressing the media after concluding today’s discussions with President Mahinda Rajapakse regarding constitutional reforms. The President and the UNP leader had agreed to continue talks on constitutional reforms and other related matters. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Touring the port

 The Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Ports and Aviation, Rohitha Abeygunawardana and Dayashritha Tissera took an inspection tour of the Colombo port today. The Deputy Ministers examined the recently computerized data system for authorized containers and the construction sites of the Colombo South Harbor. Pic by Nisal Baduge  

Differences apart

Regardless of party differences, members of the UNP, Kabeer Hashim and Mohammed Muzammil and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa  are seen here having a conversation after arriving at Minister Wimal Weerawansa's official residence to pay their final respects to the minister's late mother today.  Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

The winning goal

Andres Iniesta of Spain celebrates after scoring his side's only goal. Spain won the World Cup for the first time when they beat Netherlands 1-0 after extra time thanks to the goal by midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Ready for the final

Dutch supporters arrive in the center of Rotterdam on July 11, 2010 to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup final football match opposing Netherlands to Spain in Johannesburg. AFP PHOTO

Starring role

Indian actress Asin who is in Sri Lanka with Bollywood star Salman Khan, visited Vavuniya today with First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. They are seen here arriving at the Vavuniya hospital during the tour.

Lanka to the rescue

A Chinese national who needed urgent medical attention while on a vessel which was passing by Sri Lankan waters was brought to the Trincomalee hospital this morning by the Navy following a request by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo. The Chinese sailor is seen here being given medical attention. Pic by Amadoru Amarageeva

Smoking them out

A dengue awareness and cleanup campaign was carried out in Koswatte this morning. The picture shows a Municipal Council worker cleaning a potential dengue mosquito breeding spot. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchi 

The final goal

Netherlands' striker Arjen Robbenjoins trains with members of the Netherlands football team as they run during an official training session at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. They meet Spain in the 2010 World Cup football final today. AFP

A little bit more...

Minister Wimal Weerawansa is seen here drinking a glass of water offered by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the minister's daughter after ending his fast unto death campaign. Pic by Indrarathne Balasuriya and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Weaker by the minute

NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, who is on a fast unto death campaign, was placed on a saline drip a short while ago. Crowds have gathered around and the minister is said to be in weak condition. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Rallying for a cause

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and members of the United National Party distributed handbills urging people to rally against the government in the Kadawatha area this morning. The distribution of handbills was followed by a protest in the Kadawatha junction. Pic by Indraratne Balasuriya.

Let me fast

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa is seen here being attended to by monks, supporters and a doctor opposite the UN Country office in Colombo where he insists on continuing with his fast unto death. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi  

From dusk to dawn

A boy jumps near another as children play football near Soccer City Stadium in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg. The Netherlands will clash with Spain in the final of the World Cup 2010 football tournament at Soccer City Stadium on July 11.  AFP

In mint condition

The “Bus and Coach Exhibition 2010’’ organized by the National Transport Commission commenced today. Seen here are school students examining a vintage bus belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board which was displayed at the exhibition. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Blessings for the fast

The picture shows Minister Wimal Weerawansa being blessed by a monk during his death fast opposite the UN office in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A friendly match

A friendly football tournament was held between the employees of the U.S. Embassy and students from five local schools this afternoon. This friendly tournament was planned with the idea of appreciating football as the world's most popular sport that emphasizes teamwork, mutual respect and leadership. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

Discussing Maldives

A Maldivian government delegation is seen here in talks with a foreign journalist in Colombo following a media briefing in Colombo regarding the end of the political crisis in the atoll nation after the intervention of the Sri Lankan President. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Continuing the fast

Government Minister and NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa is seen here refusing water offered by one of his medical officers as he continued his death fast opposite the UN office in Colombo today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

A clear stand

Defence Ministry official Lakshman Hullugale is seen here in the company of Major General Prasad Samarasingha, making the government stand on war crimes charges clear at a press briefing in Colombo today. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

Monitoring the country

More security surveillance cameras have been installed in Colombo in order to crackdown on crime and traffic offences. Picture shows some of the cameras being installed in Rajagiriya. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Goodbye

Spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan officially announced his retirement from Test cricket today. He will be playing his final test in Galle starting on July 18. Murali has stated his future plans include working on charity projects in the North. Pics by Indrarathne Balasuriya

Grant our demands

Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA) held a protest in front of the National Hospital today asking the government to grant their demands or they will resort to islandwide protests. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Making a point

Democratic National Alliance leader MP General (ret) Sarath Fonseka is seen here making a point at a press conference held at the Parliamentary complex today. MP Fonseka speaking at the media briefing stated that had war crimes been committed by Sri Lanka he would be the first person to get into difficulty. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Going home

A group of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) who were camped at the Vavuniya welfare center were resettled in Mullaitivu today. The picture shows IDP’s loading their belongings on to a  tractor waiting to be resettled. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Do or Die

Minister Wimal Weerawansa is seen here in a pensive mood as he sits through his death fast opposite the UN office in Colombo. Weerawansa says he will not give up his fast till the war crimes panel by Ban Ki Moon is abolished. Pics By Kithsiri De Mel

Innocence struck…

Dengue has turned into a widespread island wide epidemic with 19,117 cases and 132 deaths reported yesterday, of which the majority of victims were children. Our picture taken at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital show patients waiting outside the heavily crowded wards for treatment. Pics by Kithsiri De Mel