• Ayurvedic medical center treats patients with sight issues when conventional medicine offers no more

    M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

    An ayurvedic herbal paste known as a 'patthu' is applied to a Sri Lankan eye patient at the Gangula Veda Medura medical center in Panadura, Sri Lanka, April 6. The medical center has restored the eyesight of numerous patients who were all classified as hopeless cases by conventional medicine.

    M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

    An ayurvedic assistant prepares individual herbal prescriptions.

    M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

    Herbal ingredients are ground in the traditional way for patients.

    M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

    Eye patients assist in the preparation of herbal medication as their participation is said to act as a catalyst in their treatment.

    M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

    A collection of ola leaf manuscripts has been handed down through five generations of ayurvedic physicians.

    M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

    Ayurvedic pills are stored in bottles to be distributed to eye patients.

    M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

    Patients await treatment for sight deficiencies.

     

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  • Tourists return to Sri Lanka for whale watching

    David Loh / Reuters

    A snorkeler swims towards sperm whales diving into the sea off the coast of Mirissa, Sri Lanka, March 29.

    The southern tip of Sri Lanka, where the waters of the continental shelf are close to shore, is one of the few locations in the world to see dolphins, sperm whales and other creatures of the deep up close. Tourists have been returning to the island since the civil war ended there in 2009 to enjoy its natural beauty and catch a rare glimpse of the elusive whales.

    David Loh / Reuters

    Tourist boats, carrying whale watchers, surround a pod of resting sperm whales in the Indian ocean off the coast of southern Sri Lanka.

    David Loh / Reuters

    The fluke of a sperm whale sticks out of the sea as it dives among other resting whales off the coast of Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

     

  • Dozens killed in prison gunfight with Sri Lankan police

    Reuters

    Rioting prisoners fire weapons and cheer from a roof during clashes with Sri Lanka's Special Task Force at Welikada prison in Colombo, Nov. 9, 2012.

    Reuters

    Prison officers carry an injured colleague during clashes at Welikada prison in Colombo, Nov. 9.

    Reuters reports — Ten people were killed in a gunfight at Sri Lanka's biggest jail on Friday that started when police conducting a routine search came under fire from inmates, officials and police said.

    Witnesses said they saw police shooting towards the prison where armed inmates were on the roof. Hospital officials in Colombo who gave the death toll were not able to say if the victims were police or prisoners.

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    Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP

    Sri Lankan inmates shout from a roof of a prison as guards carry an injured colleague, foreground, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 9.

    Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP

    Soldiers arrive outside a prison in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov 9.

  • Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP

    Ship sinks off coast of Sri Lanka, creates oil spill

    Oil floats on water in the foreground as the half-sunk Cyprus-flagged carrier Thmothrmopolyseara lies in the Indian ocean off the southern suburban coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 26. Authorities mobilized coast guards and volunteers to clean beaches following an oil spill after the Thmothrmopolyseara sank off-shore because of bad weather. The ship went down Thursday after remaining in anchorage for over three years following a dispute over its cargo.

  • Sri Lankan army holds athletic competition for disabled officers

    Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP

    A disabled officer of the Sri Lankan army participates in a long-jump event during an athletic competition for disabled soldiers in Diyagama, Sri Lanka on Aug. 14, 2012. Tens of thousands of soldiers were wounded in a quarter-century civil war between government troops and separatist Tamil Tiger rebels which ended in 2009 after Sri Lankan soldiers crushed the rebels.

    Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP

    A sightless officer of the Sri Lankan army, left, participates in a 100-meter race for the blind, with help from a colleague, during an athletic competition for disabled soldiers in Diyagama, Sri Lanka on Aug. 14.

    Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP

    Disabled officers of the Sri Lankan army participate in a 100-meter wheel-chair race during an athletic competition for disabled soldiers in Diyagama, Sri Lanka on Aug. 14.

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  • Sri Lankans celebrate the festival of the tooth

    Sri Lankan fire dancers perform outside the historic Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, as they take part in a procession during the Esala Perahera festival, or festival of the tooth, in the ancient hill capital of Kandy on Aug. 1, 2012.

    Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP - Getty Images reports -- The Esala Perahera festival, or festival of the tooth, features a nightly procession of Kandyan dancers, fire twirlers, traditional musicians, acrobatic fire performers and elephants. The festival draws thousands of tourists and spectators from around the island.

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    Sri Lankan fire dancers perform outside the historic Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, as they take part in a procession during the Esala Perahera festival in the ancient hill capital of Kandy on Aug. 1.

    An elephant is lead past Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple of the Tooth decorated for the Esala Perahera festival in the ancient hill capital of Kandy on Aug. 1.

    A Sri Lankan dancer prepares to perform on the opening night of the annual Kandy Esala Perahera Festival in Kandy on Aug. 1.

    Sri Lankan Kandyan dancers perform in front of the historic Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, as they take part in a procession during the Esala Perahera festival in the ancient hill capital of Kandy on Aug. 1.

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  • From weapons to lipstick: former Tamil Tigers prepare to return home

    Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP - Getty Images

    Former Tamil Tiger rebels prepare backstage during a rehabilitation official ceremony fashion show in Colombo on March 29. The program to release nearly 400 former combatants to their families. Officials said more than 10,000 ex-combatants have been rehabilitated and released to their families since the war ended in May 2009.

    Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP - Getty Images

    Sri Lankan former Tamil Tiger dancers perform during an official ceremony for former Tamil Tiger rebels in Colombo on March 29. The program to release nearly 400 former combatants to their families. Officials said more than 10,000 ex-combatants have been rehabilitated and released to their families since the war ended in May 2009.

    By Natalia Jimenez, NBC News

    The Tamil Tigers were a notorious terrorist group in Sri Lanka, beginning in 1983. In their efforts to create an independent Tamil state, they enlisted women in suicide attacks that terrorized the country for over 20 years. According to the FBI, they are credited with inventing the suicide belt. These attacks lead to the death of tens of thousands of people, according to TIME:

    The LTTE (the group is formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) has bombed public buildings and transportation hubs, Buddhist temples and other locations, and is known for missions involving female suicide bombers and for recruitment of child soldiers. Fighters reportedly wear cyanide capsules around their necks that they swallow if they are about to be captured by government forces.

    The conflict in Sri Lanka largely came to an end when the rebels were defeated in May 2009, but the lasting effects of the war are still present. It is encouraging to see that these women are being offered some assistance in rebuilding their lives.

    Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP - Getty Images

    Former Tamil Tiger rebels prepare backstage during a rehabilitation official ceremony fashion show in Colombo on March 29. The program to release nearly 400 former combatants to their families. Officials said more than 10,000 ex-combatants have been rehabilitated and released to their families since the war ended in May 2009.

    Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP - Getty Images

    Former Tamil Tiger rebels prepare backstage during a rehabilitation official ceremony fashion show in Colombo on March 29. The program to release nearly 400 former combatants to their families. Officials said more than 10,000 ex-combatants have been rehabilitated and released to their families since the war ended in May 2009.

    Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP - Getty Images

    Former Tamil Tiger rebels prepare backstage during a rehabilitation official ceremony fashion show in Colombo on March 29. The program to release nearly 400 former combatants to their families. Officials said more than 10,000 ex-combatants have been rehabilitated and released to their families since the war ended in May 2009.

  • Sri Lankan police clash with cost-of-living protesters

    Eranga Jayawardena / AP

    Members of the Sri Lanka's People's Liberation Front brave police water cannons during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 15 . A wave of protest have swept across the country after the government increased the fuel prices from Saturday night.

    Ishara S.kodikara / AFP - Getty Images

    A Sri Lankan Marxist JVP party activists shouts slogans during a protest in Colombo on Feb.15. Sri Lanka's Marxist JVP party took to the streets against rising living costs after the government raised prices of fuel by 35 percent, milk food by 3.7 percent, and bus fares by 20 percent over the weekend. Prices of electricity and gas are also scheduled to go up shortly.

    Eranga Jayawardena / AP

    Members of Sri Lankan police anti riot squad watch after firing tear gas to disperse a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Feb. 15.

    Eranga Jayawardena / AP

    Members of the Sri Lanka's People's Liberation Front brave police water cannons during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 15. A wave of protest have swept across the country after the government increased the fuel prices from Saturday night.

     From AP:

    COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan police fired on fishermen protesting fuel price increases Wednesday, killing one person and wounding three, a witness and a doctor said.

    Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said police used tear gas to disperse an "unlawful mob" but refused to comment on whether police fired guns at the protesters. Read the latest from the Sri Lanka protests here.

     

  • Sri Lankan President's Office via AFP - Getty Images

    Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa inspecting the ear of visiting U.S. boxer Evander Holyfield in Colombo on Jan. 30, 2012. Holyfield had part of his ear bitten off during an infamous boxing match with Mike Tyson in 1997. Rajapakse hosted Holyfield for breakfast at his "Temple Trees" residence.

    Sri Lankan president inspects Evander Holyfield's ear

    By David R Arnott, NBC News

    I reckon most of us would do the same, if we dared.

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