“Beach Closed”

Street Superintendent Chris Hernandez covers a sign announcing “Beach Closed” with black plastic in Grand Isle, Louisiana, May 30, 2010. The mayor of the city re-opened the beach after it had been closed for over a week due to oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil leak. REUTERS  

A closer look

Religious observances organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai were held in Chennai today to mark the Vesak celebrations while an eye clinic was also held concurrently. Picture shows a monk having his eye checked at the clinic. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

IIFA Twenty20

Indian Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara and Indian Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty hold up cricket jerseys at a news conference in Mumbai on May 29, 2010 to promote The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards. Sri Lanka will host top Indian movie stars for the annual “Bollywood Oscars” weekend that showcases one of the world's most ambitious and prolific film industries. The June 3-5 e

Out with their families

Massive crowds could be seen at Galle Face Green this afternoon enjoying the Vesak holidays. Pic by Varuna Vanniarachi

Makeover for Colombo

Picture shows construction workers hard at work carpeting the roads in front of the Colombo library. This is in line with the rapid beautification process which is being carried out by the CMC to make Colombo a more picturesque city . Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Spewing ash

The Tungurahua volcano spews ash and rocks during an eruption in Banos, about 130 km (81 miles) southeast of Quito, May 28, 2010. Tungurahua has been classed as active since 1999 and had a strong eruption in 2008. It is one of eight active volcanoes in the country.  REUTERS

Vesak in Chennai

Picture shows decoratively lit Vesak lanterns at the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner’s office in Chennai. The Vesak festival was celebrated by the Lankan officials and residents of the Deputy High Commissioner’s office. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

100 feet long

A  Buddhist flag 100 feet in length and 50 feet in width was displayed in Dematagoda today, celebrating the Vesak festival. Buddhists around the country commemorated Vesak, the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Pandols adorn the night

Vesak pandols lit up most parts of the city in Colombo last nigh as Buddhists celebrated the Vesak festival. Picture shows some of the pandols in Colombo. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

A hand in cooking

Women are known to be the best cooks but these men were seen trying to show they could match up to it as they prepared meals for the Vesak food stall (dansal) as part of the Vesak celebrations in Puttalam. Pic by Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha

Foreigners celebrate Vesak

Even foreigners took the time to pay a visit to a ‘Banis dansela’ in Kollupitiya today. Pics. By Waruna Wanniarachchi

A walk for peace

A peace walk was staged between Point Pedro in the north and the southern tip of Sri Lanka. Seen here are the participants waving the national flag while taking part in the walk. Pics by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vesak lights

Buddhist devotees are seen here lighting oil lamps and candles at Temples around the City today to mark Vesak which commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha, his enlightenment and passing away into Parinibbana. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

America's new Idol

American Idol winner Lee DeWyze (R) and host Ryan Seacrest stand onstage after the announcement of the winner at the American Idol Grand Finale 2010 in Los Angeles May 26, 2010.  REUTERS

Who will it be?

Finalist Crystal Bowersox and Alanis Morissette (R) perform at the American Idol Grand Finale 2010 in Los Angeles May 26, 2010.  REUTERS

Happy Vesak

  Buddhist monks in Puttalam ad the final touches to Vesak lanterns as they prepare for the long weekend of Vesak celebrations which begins today. Pics by Hiran Priyankara 

The final touches

A young man is seen here putting the final touches to a pandol in Colombo to mark the Vesak festival which falls tomorrow. Pics by Nisal Baduge, Pradeep Dilrukshana

A friendly call

President of the Asian Development Bank, Haruhiko Kuroda called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today. Ministers, Dinesh Gunawardane, Mahinda Yapa Abewardane, Deputy Ministers, Sarath Amunugama, Chandrasiri Gajaweera, Secretary Ministers of Finance P. D. Jayasundara and Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivad Kabral were also present. Pix by Sudath Silva

Helping those in need

The military is continuing to offer assistance to the families affected by the recent floods. Picture shows troops handing out food packets to some affected families in Nawaloka today. Pic by Samantha Perera

Blessings for Vesak

As the country prepares for Vesak, 45 young Bhuddist monks are seen here attending an alms giving held at a five star hotel today. Pics by Nisal Baduge

I want a mask too!

As the wet weather continues, an owl, who clearly prefers keeping its wings dry has made a Vesak mask stall in Matara its new abode. The owner of the stall says he has attempted to chase the owl away but to no avail adding that the bird returns to his stall at dawn and lies amongst the masks Pic by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Blessings to the Nation

A police officer gives donations to Thai monks during a joint mass prayer at Lumpini Park in Bangkok on May 26, 2010 to bless the Nation a week after a deadly anti-government protest crackdown. Thai authorities extended the curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces for four nights, as they seek to restore order following weeks of protests against the administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. AFP PHOTO

Vesak preparations

Seen here are half finished Pandols that are being created for Vesak celebrations in Borella. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

Hearing them out

Thousands of employees and directors of many leading companies, lawyers, doctors and other professionals protested today in front of Temple Trees and later went in to meet and hand over a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting him not to proceed with the proposed CEPA agreement.

A firm demand

The nurses association today held a protest in front of the national hospital, Colombo against the Ministry of the Higher Education for reducing the course period of the Allied Health Services degree from four to three years. Pic. by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Being small is no barrier

A 14 year boy of Samagi Mawatha Angulana is seen here making a large lantern to mark Vesak which falls later this week. The boy’s father said he spent nearly 200,000 for the lantern. Pic by Kusal Chamath

A plea from the heart

The families of those reported missing from Vavuniya and Kilinochchi during the war took to the streets in Vavuniya today urging the government to find their loved ones. A child is seen here in tears during the protest. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

Looking for a solution

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya is seen here scrolling through a book during a press briefing in Colombo today. Pic by Kithsiri DeMel  

In full swing

Students of the University of Colombo practice for their Colours Night scheduled to be held on May 31. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Anniversary memories

An Israeli soldier holds his camera as he patrols the border with Lebanon in front of Kfarkila village in south Lebanon May 23, 2010. Monday marks the 10-year anniversary of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. REUTER