Ex-soldiers kick back

  A disabled soldier in a wheel chair takes part in traditional New Year's games held to mark the end of the harvesting season in Ragama today. Some 170 men are cared for at this military-run rehabilitation hospital. Pics by Samantha Perera

Inspecting the animal kind

Minister Basil Rajapaksa visited the Dehiwala zoo today as part of a tour undertaken to inspect the institutions which fall under his Ministry. The MP is seen here inspecting the conditions of some of the animals. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Learning the trade

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in Bhutan to attend the SAARC summit, visited the Pslk heritage museum in Thiimpu together with First lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa. President Rajapaksa and Mrs. Rajapaksa are seen here admiring some of Bhutan’s traditions. Pic by Sudath Silva  

Lankan Radio wins Award‏

Shree FM radio won the top international broadcasting accolade, the National Association of Broadcasters International Broadcasting Excellence Award. E.A.P. Edirisinghe Organisation Managing Director Jeewaka Edirisinghe is seen here presenting the award to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees.

Exchanging thoughts

New government Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Basil Rajapaksa are seen here having a private discussion just after Mr. Weerawansa assumed duties at his new Ministry in Colombo today. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Next in line

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here introducing his son MP Namal Rajapaksa to the Bhutan Prime Minister after arriving in Bhutan today for the SAARC summit. External Affairs Minister Prof.G.L.Piris, President's secretary Mr.Lalith Weeratunga, Mr.Sajin De Vas Gunawardane MP are also in the picture. Pic by Sudath Silva

New direction

Newly appointed Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha took over at his new office this morning. The Minister is seen here speaking to his staff after assuming duties. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

They keep coming

More weapons used by the now decimated LTTE were recovered by the police Special Task Force (STF) in Vellumilaivaikal in the North. Picture shows troops inspecting some of the recovered items. Pic by Romesh Madushanka    

The champs

Chennai Super Kings celebrate their IPL triumph, Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians, IPL final, DY Patil Stadium, April 25, 2010. cricinfo

Freestyle

Freestyle footballer Habib Makanjoula of Nigeria demonstrates his skills during a public training session in the build up for the Red Bull Street Style 2010 world title in Cape Town, on April 25, 2010.  Competitors representing 59 countries will compete for the title on April 28. AFP PHOTO

Pointing fingers!

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Discussing External Affairs

Sri Lanka’s new External Affairs Minister G.L.Pieris is seen here speaking to reporters in Colombo today, in his first briefing after being appointed to the post. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Martina rocks Lanka

Austria's leading female DJ, Martina Kaiser, performed to a packed house last night at the Beach House in Mount Lavinia. Daily Mirror online was the media sponsor for the event. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Team work for a better catch

Fisherman from the Sinhala and Tamil community work together to get a better catch in the South Kadawatha  fish marcket in Nainamadama Chilaw. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Going home

More Internally Displaced People (IDP) from camps in Vavuniya were re-settled today. Picture shows IDPs returning home in buses facilitated by the government. Pic by Romesh Madushanka

Taking oaths

This television grab shows new Foreign Minister G.L. Pieris taking oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon.  

All smiles

Recently re-appointed Government Members of Parliament Dallus Alahaperuma, Maithripala Sirisena and Susil Premjayantha are seen here in a joyous mood at a press briefing today.  Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

Remembering Lalith

The 17th death anniversary of the late Minister Lalith Athulathmudali was commemorated today. Picture shows Dayantha Athulathmudali, a brother of Lalith Athulathmudali, placing a garland around a monument of the late Minister in Colombo this morning. Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

Remembering Earth Day

School children plant trees during celebrations to mark Earth Day in the outskirts of Lima yesterday. About two thousand school children participated in the planting of three thousand trees during an activity organised by local authorities to promote environmental awareness.  REUTERS

Sent to counterfeit heaven

Customs officers use a roller to destroy counterfeit MP3 players and watches at the airport in the southern German city of Munich. The goods seized had a worth of 100,000 Euro according to the customs officials. AFP PHOTO

Gone with the wind

Over 50 houses were damaged when gale force winds lashed the Moratuwa area on Wednesday night. No casualties were reported. Seen here, a  resident cleaning the  house damaged by the winds. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Down but not out

UNP Member of Parliament Palitha Range Bandara, who was severely injured in an attack just prior to the recent General Elections, is seen here in Parliament today bandaged. The MP was brought to Parliament in a wheel chair. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Taking no chances

A tight security cordon was put in place around the City this morning as well as roads leading to Parliament as the new Parliament convened for the first time today. Picture shows security personnel manning the streets of Colombo. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Rumbling on

Glacial runoff cascades down from the caldera of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano April 21, 2010. The Icelandic volcano which grounded air traffic over Europe is still erupting, but it is spewing less ash, the meteorological office and experts said on Wednesday. Close monitoring of the neighbouring and potentially more dangerous Katla volcano was also taking place, but there have been no signs it has re-awakened, they added. REUTERS

Taking over the reins

Mr D.M Jayarathna embraces his predesessor Ratnasiri Wickremanayake at his swearing in ceremony held earlier today. Jayarathna was sworn in as the Prime Minister of the new UPFA government, before President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier today. Pics by Chandana Perera

Midwives take to the streets

Family health nurses attached to the Government Midwifery Service Association staged a picketing campaign in front of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry today to protest to what they called to the ‘pruning down of their service minutes’ by Health authorities. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya

The preferred candidate

As the re-poll in Nawalapitiya came to an end people took to the streets to extend support to their preferred candidates amidst tight security which was in place even during the election. Picture shows a group surrounding one of their candidates. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachi

Bollywood's best in Colombo!

Bollywood icon, Amitab Bachchan and former Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandez are greeted by traditional Sri Lankan dancers at the Cinnamon Grand hotel. Bachchan arrived in the country today to formally announce that the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards will be held in Sri Lanka, from June 3- 5. Pics. By Manoj Rathnayake

Voting..again

The re-poll of the General Elections in Kumburupitiya and Nawalapitiya is now underway. Picture shows a line of voters exercising their franchise in Kumburupitiya amidst police protection. Pic by Amadoru Amarageeva

Nawalapitiya's security blanket

Security was beefed up today in Nawalapitiya ahead of the re-poll in the Nawalapitiya and Kumburupitiya electorates. Voting will begin at 7.00 a.m. tomorrow morning and end at 4.00 p.m afterwhich ballot boxes will be transported to six counting centers in Nawalpitiya. Pics by Varuna Wanniarachchi