News in-Brief

AGM

The 18th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association (SLANA) will be held at the YMBA Auditorium, Borella on January 21 at 9.30 a.m.

The awarding of certificates to participants who have completed the training on Computer Fundamentals and Functional Literacy Development at the Colombo Technology Learning Centre (Tele Centre), a project launched by SLANA in collaboration with Microsoft Sri Lanka (Pvt) Ltd will take place upon conclusion of the meeting.

Thai Pongal over Eye Channel

Rupavahini Eye Channel will have a special live telecast of Thai Pongal programmes today from 7.00 a.m. to noon.

The special live telecast on Thai Pongal Day will take place from Sri Kathirvelauthaswami Temple, Ragala.

The live Pongal programme titled Pongum Puthupuna in Tamil will cover Colombo, Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.

Several leading singers, dramatists, dancers and poets will participate in the live programmes.

A Tamil film will be telecast at noon - 2.30 p.m. - musical programme; 4.00 p.m. - Forum of poems and from 9.30 p.m. to midnight - Eye Channel will telecast live dance and musical programmes.

Indian envoy to launch website

Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao will launch the website of the Colombo Malayali Organisation (COMAL) which represents the Keralite Indian origin community of Colombo tomorrow at 7.30 p.m. at Global Towers Hotel, Marine Drive, Colombo 6. Dignitaries representing the Indian origin community will be present.

Talk by Prof. Carlo

One of Sri Lanka's most eminent medical personalities Professor Carlo Fonseka, former Dean of the Medical Faculty will deliver a special talk today on the need for a National Health Policy including a Rational Drug Policy and Food Policy.

The talk will begin at 5.30 p.m. at the CSR hall, 281, Deans Road, Maradana and is part of a health education and empowerment programme organised by the People's Movement for the Rights of Patients and the Centre for Society and Religion.

As part of this programme, Dr. Joel Fernando, a Professor of Family Medicine will speak on the dangers that could arise from the excessive privatisation of the health sector on January 20.

On January 27, Consultant Nutritionist Dr. Damyanthi Perera will speak on how we are poisoning ourselves because of the lack of a National Food Policy.

The talks will be followed by a dialogue and guidance for follow-up action.

Lecture

Dr. Rita Manchanda, Senior Program Executive, Nepal's South Asia Forum for Human Rights will deliver a lecture on "Women's Participation in Armed Struggles: Can it Open Spaces for an Emancipatory Politics? (Study of the Maoist Movement in Nepal) at the ICES auditorium, 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8 on Monday. at 5.30 p.m.

Amaraneeya Rukmani

The Rukmani Devi Commemoration forum of Ethulkotte has organised the cultural concert Amaraneeya Rukmani at John de Silva Memorial Theatre Colombo on Sunday, to commemorate the birthday of late actress Rukmani Devi.

The event is organised on the guidance of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Southern Province Governor Kingsley T. Wickramaratne.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake will be the Chief Guest. Entrance is free.

25 Years Gold Medal Award Ceremony

The Ceremony to award gold medals to 259 employees who have completed 25 years of service in the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., to be held at the BMICH Tuesday at 2.00 p.m.

President Mahinda Rajapakse will grace this occasion on the invitation of the Minister of Transport & Railways and Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development A. H. M. Fowzie.

Lecture

Renowned researcher and writer on textiles history in India Jasleen Dhamija is scheduled to deliver a lecture in Colombo on "Living Traditions and Symbolic Significance of Indian Textiles" on Monday at 5.30 p.m. at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies Auditorium BMICH, Colombo 7.

The lecture will be held under the aegis of India-Sri Lanka Foundation which is an inter-governmental trust set up by the Governments of India and Sri Lanka to foster bilateral relations through the enhancement of economic, scientific, educational, technical and cultural cooperation.

Dhamija is known internationally as a philosopher of living Cultural Traditions. Her main speciality is the History of Textiles and Costumes. She has worked and researched throughout India in developing the handicraft and handloom industry.

With United Nations she worked in Iran, Middle East, Central Asia, South East Asia, the Balkans, as well as with 21 countries in Africa. She was awarded Hill Professorship by University of Minnesota for her work on Textiles.

Drivers fined for drunk driving

Kelaniya Group Correspondent

Gampaha Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Saman Wickremarachchie imposed a Rs. 5,000 fine on each at the three who pleaded guilty to the charge of driving vehicles under the influence of liquor.

The accused were K.A. Shantha, D. Jayalath and K. Kapila Sanjeewa of Meegahawatte. Meegahawatte Police prosecuted.

Pope says 'no' to gay marriage, abortion pill

VATICAN CITY, Thursday (Reuters)

Pope Benedict, speaking out on hot topics that will figure in the campaigning for this year's Italian general elections, on Thursday condemned gay marriage and the use of the so-called "abortion pill".

He was immediately attacked by gay leaders and leftist politicians who accused him of interfering in domestic affairs.