From Thailand with love

The Thai government today handed over centric water pumps and accessories to Sri Lanka for use by the resettled families in the North. Picture shows the Thai ambassador in Colombo Thinakorn Kanasuta handing over the water pumps to the Governor of the North Major General G.A. Chandrasiri. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Time out

Sri Lankan born M.I.A. is seen here playing with her baby boy in New York City's East Village while on her way for dinner with friends and her husband Benjamin Brewer yesterday. (Celebuzz)

We are 'ready'!

Bollywood actor Salman Khan is seen here addressing the media in Colombo today. Khan said he was not worried about repercussions back in India regarding the shooting of his new movie in Sri Lanka. Pics by Manoj Rathnayake

Reaching out

Opposition leader Ranil Wickarmasinghe is seen here talking to residents of Dehiwala at a Bala Mandalaya organized by UNP Dehiwala organizer Sunethra Ranasinghe this evening. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Down again

Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernand gestures as he announced the price of a 12.5 Kg domestic gas cylinder has been reduced at a media briefing held this evening. Pic  Pradeep Pathirana

Power to the people

Minister of Power and Energy Champika Ranawaka gestures at a press conference earlier today where it was announced that more awareness is being created among the local community about conserving power and alternative means for power. Pics by Kushan Pathiraja   

Yum yum….

The rambutan season is now in full swing. Traders are seen along the streets of Colombo selling the juicy fruit. Picture shows a rambutan trader in Pettah. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

The end of the road

This April 24, 2008 file photo shows CNN talk show host Larry King walking down Pennsylvania Avenue following a stop at the White House in Washington, DC. Veteran CNN broadcaster Larry King announced his decision to step down from his long-running show June 29, 2010, ending a record-breaking career that saw him conduct more than 40,000 interviews. AFP

Traditional welcome

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa are seen here being greeted by three Ukrainian women clad in national outfits at the Kiev airport. President  Rajapaksa arrived in Ukraine today for a 4 day official visit to Ukraine. Pix by Sudath Silva

No strings attached

IMF Resident representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Koshy Mathai takes a seat to address the media at a press conference today after it was announced that Sri Lanka received the third tranche of a US$ 2.6 billion loan given by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without any conditions. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

The budget messenger

The 2010 Budget speech was presented by Acting Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama in Parliament this afternoon. The picture shows Minister Amunugama smiling and posing for the media after arriving at the Parliament premises. Pix by Sanjeewa Niroshana

A shameful act

While Sri Lanka’s focus is on cracking down on the Buddha Bar chain headquartered in France, a Daily Mirror online reader had emailed us photos captured through his lens of similar restaurants in the Netherlands which degrade Bhuddism.

Protest against nuclear

Members from the environmental protection group Greenpeace dressed in hazard gear protest outside the Environmental Protection Department in Hong Kong on June 28, 2010.  The group were protesting against nuclear power after a radioactive leak occured at Daya Bay nuclear plant in southern China on May 23. AFP

On to a new life

58 LTTE cadres were re-introduced to society after having undergone rehabilitation and completing a vocational training program in Batticaloa today. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan are seen here congratulating one of the former cadres. Pics by Amaradoro Amarajeewa

Keeping promises?

The Public Services Trade Unions Alliance (PSTUA) today held a campaign in front of the Maradana railway station seeking signatures for a petition against the non-fulfillment of the presidential election promise of a Rs. 2500 pay hike for the public sector. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Salute!

The visiting Indian Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma can be seen here inspecting the guard of honour accorded to him by the Sri Lanka Navy today. The visiting Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other top political leaders and military officials during his six day visit to the island. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Back off UN!

JHU protestors can be seen here voicing their anger at the appointment of the UN panel of experts by UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon this afternoon. The protestors gathered in front of the UN office in Colombo to voice their protest. Pix by Samantha Perera

Advice from the Speaker

Official houses for Members of Parliament constructed at the Madiwela housing scheme were handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today. Picture shows the Speaker giving instructions to officials at the scheme. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Going to space

A handout picture released by the European Space Agency (ESA) on June 27, 2010 at the Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana shows the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket the day before at 6:41 pm (2141 GMT). It successfully placed two satellites in orbit, after twice delaying the launch for technical reasons this week. Riyadh-based communications operator Arabsat's 4.9-tonne satellite, made by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, separated

Scrum down

CR & FC took on Air Force this evening at the Air force grounds, Air Chief Marshal and Chief of Defence Staff, Roshan Gunathilake also attended the match. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Health Hazards

The Sri Lanka Temperance Association organized a walk and a sathyagraha at the Vihara Maha Devi Park today to commemorate World Temperance Day. Two monks are seen here listening to a speech  with a poster of a man in a smoke mask placed behind them. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Crime scene

Police are seen here investigating the scene of the crime along the Puttalam beach this afternoon where the body of an Indian national whose found dumped . Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha

Tragedy

Six people were killed and 10 others injured when the van they were traveling in collided with a lorry along the Deduru-Oya bridge in Kurunegala early this morning. The picture shows the van in which the victims were traveling. Pics by Pushpakumara Jayaratna

Navy celebrates Poson

The Sri Lankan Navy conducted a Poson Bathi Gee Prasangaya (Poson Devotional Songs Concert) on a naval boat on the Kirulapana Canal last night. The picture shows Navy personnel on board the vessel reciting Poson Bathi Gee at the event. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Speeding away

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain takes a corner  during  the Dutch Motorcycling Grand Prix in Assen, June 26, 2010.  REUTERS

Saving the goal

Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera makes a save during a 2010 World Cup second round match against South Korea in Port Elizabeth June 26, 2010. REUTERS

Free from drugs

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls today. The picture shows balloons being released at the Sugathadasa Stadium at the end of the walk organized to commemorate today under the theme of “Think Health Not Drugs”. Pix by Warun Vanniarachi

Remembering MJ

A card with a photograph of late entertainer Michael Jackson is placed among flowers during an event to commemorate the first anniversary of his death, in Leipzig yesterday. REUTERS

He speaks the truth

A man holds a placard before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match between Brazil and Portugal at Moses Mabhida stadium last night. REUTERS

Illuminating Thantirimale

The historic Thantirimale Viharaya is illuminated by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd every year, in view of Poson Poya. This picture shows the view of the historic Viharaya in the evening. Pic by Sanjeeva Niroshana