Family members of the involuntary disappeared human rights activists are seen in the court compound at the proceedings of the Habeas Corpus application before the Court of Appeal. Seen here are family members of disappeared human rights activists walking out from the court premises. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
Buddhist monks line up to attend a session at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on the outskirts of Phnom Penh February 3, 2012. The United Nations backed tribunal, which has handed down a 35-year jail term commuted to 19 years for Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, for his role in the deaths of more than 14,000 people at a S-21 torture center in Phnom Penh, is due to announce his appeal decision on Friday, February 3
Members of the Magistrate Court Lawyers Association are seen here staging a protest against the proposed plan to shift the Magistrate Court complex from Hulftsdorp to Battaramulla. The protest was staged in front of the Supreme Court Complex. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
These were some of the few lucky commuters who managed to get into this train which the authorities managed to put into operation despite the strike by the railway employees today. This was a short distance train plying towards Veyangoda from the Fort Railway Station. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
This undated handout photo released by Conservation International on January 31, 2012 shows a turtle preparing to lay eggs at a remote sanctuary of Turtle islands, Tawi-Tawi province, in the Philippines southern island of Mindanao. Globally endangered green turtles are enjoying a baby boom on remote Philippine islands as a three-decade protection programme starts to pay off, environment group Conservation International said. AFP
The Sri Lanka Army and Non Governmental Organisations say that more than 63 kilometres of the 138 kilometre railway line from Omanthai to Jaffna has been cleared of landmines. The demining activities were expedited in view of the ongoing re-construction of the northern railway line undertaken by an Indian company, while they are being assisted by a demining team from India. Reconstruction of the railway line is scheduled to be completed in one
The Government Nursing Officer’s Association held a protest today in front of the Colombo National Hospital demanding authorities to give their promotions without delaying them and also protested about nine other demands that have been discussed with the Ministry during the past two years which had not brought positive results. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
The students of the Sri Jayawardenapura University staged a protest today in front of the university premises against the dictatorial behaviour of the Vice Chancellor and in support of the three students of the University of Peradeniya who have been held in remand custody. The protestors paid floral tribute to the recently damaged monument. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
Sancharaka Udawa 2012 conceptualised and spearheaded by Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SALITO) and organised by Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference and Exhibition Organisers(SLAPCEO) in association with Sri Lanka Tourism was declared opened today (January 31) at the Ceylon Continental Hotel. Pix by Nisal Baduge
A vendor tries to sell bananas to the passengers sitting atop a bus as they wait to cross a toll gate at Hajipur industrial park on the outskirts of the eastern Indian city of Patna, in Bihar state. When India launched reforms to open up its state-stifled economy 20 years ago, many states surged ahead, leaving behind the 3.5 percent “Hindu rate of growth”. Reuters
Sewing Lion Flags has become a cottage industry these days with the 64th anniversary of our independence around the corner. These flags are being made by Upasena Master of Dematagoda who is a small scale entrepreneur in the area. Sri Lanka gained independence on February 4, 1948. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen having a closer look at the ear of former world boxing heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield's ear, that was bitten by Mike Tyson during their heavyweight championship fight on June 28, 1997. Holyfield called on the President at Temple Trees today.
The Eastern Colombo area today, came under the dengue eradication week carried out by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). Seen here is a house situated down Purwarama Road in Kirulapona being sprayed with chemicals to destroy the breeding grounds of the dengue mosquito. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana
The records room of the Magazine remand was set on fire by rioting prisoners on Tuesday morning. The Prison Department suffered a loss of Rs.10 million due to the damages. Seen here is a prison officer looking at the burnt files of the prisoners when a visit was paid by Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The university non-academic staff today gathered at Vihara Mahadevi Park in Colombo after their planned picket was banned by police who obtained an enjoining order said they would go for a discussion with the Salaries and Carder Commission on February 2. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
Two legends of the Manchester United Football team Dwight York and Bryan Robson are currently in the island for a tie up between Bharti Airtel and the Manchester United Football Club to bring a variety of benefits for Aritel’s soccer loving customers in Sri Lanka. The former players are seen at a press conference held earlier in the day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Four persons were killed including two children, while seven others were injured when a van caught fire on the Elamodhara Bridge on the Kalutara-Horana road this morning. Pictures show the van which sustained extensive damages due to the fire. The reason for the fire is yet to be determined but the police say a petrol can was inside the van at the time of the incident. Pix by Sarath Siriwardena
An evening of dance was held yesterday at the Bishop’s College Auditorium Colombo organised by the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) to mark the 63rd Republic Day of India with the participation of Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
Folk artists perform a fire dragon dance amid molten iron at 1,300 degrees Celsius (2,372 degrees Fahrenheit) during a Spring Festival Temple Fair celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing January 25, 2012. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, began on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. REUTERS
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