Welding the dome

Welders work near the BP Pollution Containment Chamber at Wild Well Control, Inc. in Port Fourchon, Louisiana May 3, 2010. The system is made up of a 125-ton structure that will be set on top of the largest leak source. This leak is located at the end of the riser, about 600 feet from the wellhead. Energy giant BP Plc, its reputation battered by a catastrophic oil spill threatening the U.S. Gulf shore, said on Monday it was working

Mahela strikes

Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene celebrates his century against Zimbabwe during their ICC T20 World Cup 2010 match at the Providence Stadium in Guyana today. Sri Lanka who won the toss and elected to bat have scored 173 in 20 overs. AFP PHOTO

Food for thought

Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando paid his first visit to the Narahenpita Economic Centre where he inspected vegetables, spices, rice and spoke to vendors. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi 

A small victory?

Anoma Fonseka is seen here with Tiran Alles at the Appeal Court in fort today where an interim order was issued today preventing the hearing of the first Court Martial probing conspiracy charges against General Sarath Fonseka until 21 May. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Next in line?

Parliament Member and son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa is seen here in conversation with Minister of External Affairs G.L Peiris after the latter officially assumed duties at his Ministry today. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Showing the way

Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, a private, non-profit foundation, who is in Sri Lanka on a visit called on Health Minister Maithipala Sirisena today. Picture shows the Minister in conversation with Sasakawa. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

Taliban chief threatens US

In this file photograph taken on November 26, 2008, shows Pakistani Taliban commander Hakimullah Mehsud speaking to a group of media representatives in the Mamouzai area of Orakzai Agency.  Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who was believed killed in January, vowed attacks on the United States in a new video dated early April, the SITE monitoring group said on May 3, 2010. AFP

Bread prices up

 All Island Bakers’ Association announced that the price of a loaf of bread will be increased by one rupee with effect from midnight tonight.  An employee of a bakery in Colombo can be seen here hard at work baking bread for the evening stock. Pix by Nisal Baduge  

Nerves of steel

Mine clearing personnel search for unexploded mines in Elephant Pass, the main land route connecting Colombo to the island's northern Jaffna peninsular, in May. The army estimates over a million mines and unexploded devices were buried in the war-torn north by the now defeated Tamil Tiger rebels, during the 37-year ethnic conflict that the United Nations estimates, claimed over 100,000 lives. Sri Lanka plans to have a victory day parade on

Champ

Floyd Mayweather Jr. reacts after defeating Shane Mosley by unanimous decision after the welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

Laboring on Labor Day

A JVP supporter is seen here collecting money during a May Day rally of the party held in Colombo today. The UPFA and other political parties also held May Day rallies around the country. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

119th remembrance

The 119th remembrance of the man who pioneered the labour movement in Sri Lanka, A.E. Gunasinghe was held near the statue of the late Gunasinghe in Pettah today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

In memory of Premadasa

President R. Premadasa's 17th death anniversary was commemorated in front of the Premadasa statue in Hulftsdorp this morning. UNP leader Ranil Wickremasighe who attended the event can be seen here talking to the son of the late President, Sajith Premadasa at the ceremony. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Water every where

With heavy rains being experienced around the country several parts of Colombo were flooded after the heavy downpour last night. Seen here are some residences in the Rajagiriya area affected by the rain. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi 

May Day around the world

Supporters of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN, in Spanish) celebrate International Workers Day on the eve of May 1, in Managua, on April 30, 2010. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced on Friday that over 100,000 civil servants, soldiers and police officers will receive a salary supplement of 25 US dollars per month, thanks to the support of Venezuela.  AFP

Preparing for May Day

JVP supporters are seen here adding the finishing touches to hoardings in preparation for a May Day rally to be held in Campbell park today. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sivaram remembered

Slain Daily Mirror journalist Sivaram was remembered at an event in London. Picture shows guests at the event paying tribute to the journalist.

Loose wires

Seen here are local residents walking past electric cables that hang haphazardly in the Puttalam area. A wind power generator project got underway in Puttalam despite protests by resident claiming that the cabling hangs too close to their roofs and interferes with other wires and TV antennas. Pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha 

Hoping for resettlement

Newly appointed Resettlement Deputy Minister, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan visited the Manik Farm welfare camp in Vavuniya today. The Minister can be seen here interacting with a family housed at the welfare camp. Pix by Romesh Madusanka 

Talking about the economy

Gampaha District UNP MP Ruwan Wijewardana is seen here addressing a press briefing this morning. Mr. Wijewardana who topped the District’s preferential votes’ list at the General Election commented on the governments mismanagement of the economy. Pix by Nisal Baduge

China thinks big

The performance centre, the place where the World Expo 2010 opening ceremony is to take place, is seen at the site of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai on April 29, 2010. After the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China is planning to stage the largest World's Fair yet as the latest demonstration of its growing global clout. The six-month exhibition starts on May 1.  AFP PHOTO

Another rainy night…

Traffic came to a grinding halt in Colombo earlier this evening as heavy rainfall caused minor flooding on many roads. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Ready for the job

New Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, who was often the target of the public for the gas price hike, is seen here assuming duties at his ministry today. Former Education Minister Susil Premajayanth is also in the picture.  Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Thumbs up

New Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is seen here giving the thumbs up after assuming duties at his new Ministry this morning. Former Power and Energy Minister John Seniviratne is also in the picture. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Warming up

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle (L) and Gareth Hopkins of New Zealnd watch a ball as it bounces near the wickets during the warm-up match between West Indies and New Zealand at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on  April 28, 2010. The ICC World Twenty20 2010  takes place in the West Indies from 30 April to 16 May.  AFP PHOTO

A warm welcome

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa is welcomed by the Prime Minister of Bhutan at the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, Bhutan which began today. Pics by Sudath Silva

“Where are our businesses?”

Pavement hawkers in Pettah were evicted today in order to clear the roads off illegal structures and make way for pedestrians to walk peacefully. The eviction comes days after pavement hawkers in Kandy were also evicted. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Remembering Lord Buddha

Today is Adhi vesak full moon Poya day. Picture shows Buddhist devotees visiting Temples in Colombo to mark the religious day. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Advice from the predecessor

New Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa is seen here being given advice from his predecessor Champika Ranawaka after assuming duties at his office this morning. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Art with sand

This picture taken on April 27, 2010 shows sand sculptures at Roermond. The Dutch sandsculpture festival in Roermond will take place from April 30 until September 26. AFP PHOTO.