Search For Survivors

South Korean Marines search for possible survivors and bodies from the sunken naval ship Cheonan, in the waters off Baengnyeongdo, an island near the border with North Korea March 29, 2010. The South Korean naval ship sank on Friday night near the disputed maritime border with the North and 46 sailors were reported missing.  REUTERS  

Red protest

Red Shirts supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans as they protest at the 11th Infantry Barracks in Bangkok on March 28, 2010. Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and anti-government protesters edged closer to landmark talks aimed at ending two weeks of mass rallies.  AFP PHOTO

A glowing celebration

Pakistani devotees gather at the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Hussain popularly known Madhu Lal Hussain during a festival in Lahore to mark his 422th birth anniversary. The 422th annual three day festival of Hazrat Shah Hussain began on March 27.   AFP

The final march?

Red Shirts supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans as they protest at the 11th Infantry Barracks in Bangkok today. Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and anti-government protesters edged closer to landmark talks aimed at ending two weeks of mass rallies.  AFP

Worried about her husband’s health

Wife of detained General (retired) Sarath Fonseka, Anoma Fonseka adresses the media today at the General’s office in Colombo. She claimed that her husband was not receiving medical treatment and is suffering from respiratory problems and severe cold systems. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A common man?

Main opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe is seen here with shanty dwellers at Torrington Square earlier today where he presented supporters his manifesto for the upcoming general elections. By Varuna Wanniarachchi

Green gold?

A stevia plant, known as “sweet herb”, or “ka´a he´e” in the native Guarani language, is seen on a plantation in Caacupe, 50 kms east of Asuncion, Paraguay. A sweetener derived from the South American native herb stevia is taking the global marketplace by storm, on the promise of a new zero-calorie product that also has the appeal of being natural. AFP  

Celebrating Avurudu

The "Avurudu Pola" organized by the staff guild of Wycherley International School was held at the Wycherley school premises today. Students can be seen here taking part in traditional Avurudu games at the event. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi 

Earth Hour

Twilight sets on Auckland as it approaches Earth Hour (top) and the lights go off on Auckland as it enters Earth Hour (bottom) March 27, 2010 in this combination picture. Earth Hour, when everyone is asked to turn off lights for an hour from 8.30 p.m. local time, is a show of support for tougher action to confront climate change. Viaduct Harbour is seen in the foreground, the Sky Tower at right. REUTERS

Easter art

An artisan paints an Easter egg with drawing ink during the yearly Ester market at the museum of ethnology in Hamburg, northern Germany on March 26, 2010. Some 40 exhibitors present their Easter art at the 26th North German Easter Market, taking place from March 25 to March 28, 2010. AFP

Protecting the seas

A vessel from Sri Lanka's newly established Coastguard unit carries out a patrol of the sea port of Colombo on March 26, 2010. The fledgling coastguard inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 5, is scheduled to build up to a force of over 1,000 sailors with a fleet of about 30 craft becoming the island's first non-military law enforcement agency at sea.  AFP

Standoff

Bhikku Union of the Colombo University and the police were involved in a standoff today with the monks attempting to reach Temple Trees. The Bhikku Union was protesting against the establishment of a private Bhikku academy. The protesting monks and police can be seen here during the protest in Colpetty. Pix by Varuna Vanniarachi

Religious advice

Anoma Fonseka, the wife of General Sarath Fonseka handed over the election manifesto of the Democratic National Alliance to the Catholic Bishop Malcolm Ranjith in Colombo today. Mrs. Fonseka is seen here in conversation with the Bishop during the meeting. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Back to normalcy

The government has decided to repair all the vehicles and the property damaged during the war against the LTTE and hand them over back to the civilian owners. Picture shows Northern governor G.A Chandrasiri inspecting some of the damaged vehicles in Mullaitivu. Pictures by Romesh Madushanka

Football for Hope

A young boy plays with a football on March 25, 2010 during the official ceremony to inaugurate the site in the Alexandra township in Johannesburg which will host the 'Football for Hope Festival' from 4 to 10 July ahead the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. AFP

Advice for the future

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is seen here sharing a light joke with Namal Rajapaksa, son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a Buddhist monk at a book launch in Colombo today. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Giving blood

Over 50 employees from the U.S. Embassy volunteered to donate blood to the Colombo National Blood Bank during the Embassy’s Annual Health Fair. Picture shows US Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis donating blood at the event

Bundles of votes

Postal voting for the upcoming General election commenced today and will continue till tomorrow. A soldier of an army camp in Colombo can be seen here making preparations for those soldiers who are on election duty to use their franchise. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Fighting fire with fire

Illegal fire arms are burnt in Nairobi as part of a campaign by the Kenyan government to mop-up illicit small arms and light weapons that are at the centre of increasing violent crime in Kenya and Africa.

Baby elephants return home

Pictured here is the release of the 9th batch of baby elephants into the wild by the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home which took place yesterday in Udawalawe National Park. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

Discussing the future of mother Lanka

Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha, Colombo district candidate for the UNF, moderator Professor Sudantha Liyanage and Environment and Natural Recourc Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at the debate organised yesterday at the Mahaweli Centre by AIM 2020 Assembly of Professionals to Discover the Future of Mother Sri Lanka. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Countdown to the polls

Polling cards for the upcoming general elections were distributed to some of the registered voters today. Picture shows a postman handing over the polling card to a lady in Colombo this morning. Pic by Varuna Wanniarachchi

Happy birthday Ranil

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasingha celebrated his birthday today. The opposition leader is seen here partaking in traditional meals with UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya at the UNP headquarters to celebrate his birthday today. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

A different kind of rage...

Lava spews out of a mountain on in Hvolsvöllur in the region of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland. The small volcano eruption that forced more than 600 people to flee their homes in Iceland over the weekend could conceivably set off a larger volcano. AFP

Outrage!

The National Sanga Council held a press conference today where they expressed their outrage at the controversial video featuring Akon in which scantily clad women danced with a Buddhist statue in the backdrop. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Free Fonseka !

 A protest was held in front of the Fort Railway station this morning against the Court martial of General Sarath Fonseka. A group of monks can be seen here holding banners calling for his release. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pakistan National Day

The 70th National Day of Pakistan was celebrated at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo today. The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Mrs. Mariam Saeed is seen here hoisting the national flag at the event this morning. Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

China internet to Hong Kong

A man poses next to a platform of Google logo in front of its China headquarters building in Beijing March 23, 2010.  Google Inc moved its China Internet search service to Hong Kong in a bid to resolve its dispute with Beijing over censored search results while keeping a foot in the world's largest Internet market. REUTERS

Under the gaze of his grandfather

Rukmal Senanayake, grandson of late D.S Senanayake walks away from the D.S Senanayake monument at Independence Square after placing flowers in commemoration of his grandfather's 58th death anniversary today. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Remembering the fallen

The 146th Police Commemoration Day was celebrated today at the Trincomalee Police Headquarters with IGP Mahinda Balasuriya as chief guest. Sergeant Sabhan, killed during a raid to arrest a notorious criminal Utuwankande Saradiel in 1864 was the first police officer killed on duty.