Inspected by a specialist

Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-132 mission specialist Piers Sellers arrives at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 10, 2010. REUTERS

Excersizing their vote

Indigenous people wearing traditional costumes cast their votes at a polling center in Baguio City, north of Manila today.  National elections in the Philippines kicked off today with Benigno Aquino the favourite to win the presidency, but there were deep concerns violence and cheating could mar the vote. Forty million Filipinos are expected to turn up at polling stations across the sprawling archipelago to elect a successor to President Glo

Displaced return

More Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the North of the country were resettled today. Picture shows some of the displaced people preparing to return home. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

The love of a mom

As the world commemorated Mother’s day yesterday there is a section of mothers in our society who have little to celebrate. Picture shows those mothers working hard on the streets of Colombo to earn a living for their families. Pic by PradeepDilrukshana

Filipino voters in elections

Filipinos cast their votes in Tarlac province, in northern Philippines May 10, 2010. More than 50 million Filipinos voted for president, the highest position of the country, and nearly 18,000 other national and local positions on Monday. REUTERS

Thanks Mom

A woman labourer carries her daughter in a basket back to her home after finishing her work on Mother's Day near Jammu. REUTERS

Deep sea specimens

Jelly fishes float in a tank at Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium.  Six hundred specimens representing twelve different species from Japanese waters are currently on display. AFP  

Classic treasures on display

Car lovers of all ages were in for a treat as a range of fabulous old classic from Jaguars to Cadillacs went on display today in Colombo. Pics by Nisal Baduge

An elephant's wrath

Tragedy struck a village off Trincomalee when an elephant went on a rampage destroying one house, killing a soldier and leaving his four year old child in critical condition. Lance Corporal Nimal Karunathilake, who was on leave visiting his family, stepped out of his house with his four year old son to inspect a disturbance at his neighbor’s house early this morning only to be killed by angry elephant which also attacked his child.

Forced out

A boy carries some of his belongings as he and his family is forced to vacate their home by authorities who began demolishing unauthorized structures in the Slave Island area this afternoon. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Sri Lanka crush West Indies

Sri Lanka wrapped up a crushing 57-run win over a disappointingly lacklustre West Indies in Barbados last night after Mahela Jayawardene's sublime unbeaten 98 from 56 balls. - Cricinfo

Questioning the legality…

Unauthorized structures continue to be demolished in the City. Picture shows a man holding up what he says are documents proving his store, which was razed to the ground at Slave Island late this evening, was legally erected but illegally demolished. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana  

Life after war

Paranthan, a town in the Kilinochchi District was earlier a town heavily affected by the war. After the conclusion of the conflict last year the people in the area can be seen slowly getting back to their day to day activities. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

For my wife

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratna is seen here holding up a handbag which caught his attention during an exhibition by the Board of Investment (BOI) in Colombo today. External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris is also in the picture. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Taking over the media

Newly appointed Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who assumed duties at his new Ministry today, is seen here being greeted by MP Namal Rajapaksa, son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

The loser...

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah leave their airplane at Stansted airport, outside London, May 7, 2010. Britain's opposition Conservatives look on course to be the largest party in parliament after the closest election in three decades, but without a clear majority, leaving it uncertain who will eventually run the country.   REUTERS

Preparing for Mother's Day

Agricultural specialist agents Jose Garcia and Julie Nowiki of Customs and Border Protection carefully inspect roses shipped from Ecuador ahead of Mother's Day at a Customs and Border Patrol warehouse on May 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Agent Garcia uses a loop to look for insects after inspecting a bouquet of roses. Imported cut flowers are inspected to prevent pest and diseases from entering the United States. Mother's Day

Britain votes

A betting company displays the election odds outside a polling station in Spelsbury, Oxfordshire where Conservative Party leader David Cameron and wife Samantha Cameron cast their vote. Britain voted today in the closest general election for decades with opinion polls showing the opposition Conservatives winning most seats but not enough to form a government alone. AFP

Leading the pack

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who is on a tour to Killinochchi today, is seen here going past a portrait of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and troops who took part in the military victory against the LTTE. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Remembering a hero

People are seen here gathering at a plaque in memory of Lance Corporal Hasalka Gamini, a soldier who fell in the battle of Elephant Pass after attempting a suicide mission to prevent a siege by the LTTE in 1991.The plaque was erected next to the bulldozer belonging to the terrorists, which the soldier had climbed and lodged grenades into.  Pic By Pradeep Pathirana

New cadets

The Puttalam Wijeyaba Army Training School held a passing out ceremony today for 267 soldiers. Pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha

In the limelight

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse is seen here on a large projector screen during an inspection tour of the Central Bank today. Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal is also seated beside him. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

Justice flooded

The Galle Magistrate Court which was flooded due to the heavy rains has caused great inconvenience to the public. Several landslides also occurred due to the heavy thundershowers in the district. Pic by D.G. Sugathapala

Demanding action

Parents and residents in Trincomalee staged a protest outside a Hostel in the area demanding that the monk who operates the Hostel be removed over abuse charges. Picture shows the police attempting to calm the protestors. Pic by Amadoru Amarageeva

The “Red shirts” continue

An anti-government “red shirt” protester rests next to a placard during a rally in Bangkok's shopping district May 5, 2010. Anti-government protesters in Thailand held their ground on the streets of Bangkok on Wednesday and said they would stay there until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva sets a date for dissolving parliament. REUTERS

A view from space

This NASA image released today from the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory shows the cloud associated with the Rosette Nebula, a stellar nursery about 5,000 light-years from Earth in the Monoceros, or Unicorn, constellation. Herschel collects the infrared light given out by dust. The bright smudges are dusty cocoons containing massive embryonic stars, which will grow up to 10 times the mass of our sun. The small spots near

From politics to sports

Son of President Mahinda Rajapakse and the country’s youngest MP, Namal Rajapakse headed for the parliament grounds after finishing parliament sessions this evening to take his mind off a full day's work and engage in a game of cricket.  He was joined by Duminda Silva who also participated in the match. Namal Rajapakse made his maiden speech in parliament today. Pics by Rifthi Ali

In shallow waters

Member of Parliament Sudarshini Fernandopulle, wife of late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, is seen here inspecting some of the damage caused by the flood in her Katana electorate. Pic by Pradeep Kumara

Demanding media freedom

A group calling itself ‘Journalists against suppression’ staged a protest in Colombo today demanding media freedom and protection. Picture shows a journalist taking part in the protest. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Wanting to be heard

More than 170 students of the Management Studies Faculty of the Vavuniya Campus obstructed access to the faculty and staged a protest today demanding basic facilities including drinking water, internet and a satisfactory catering service. The students are seen here during the protest. Pic by Romesh Madusanka.