News in brief

International hearing rehabilitation expert to tour Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Warren Estabrooks, a world leading authority on childhood hearing impairment and auditory-verbal therapy will visit Sri Lanka this week as part of the 2006 Listen to the Children Tour.

Estabrooks, Director of the Learning to Listen Foundation at the North York General Hospital in Canada will run master classes for professionals in Sri Lanka who are training in auditory-verbal techniques.

Estabrooks will speak at a free public meeting to parents on opportunities available to give deaf children voices of their own.

The event will be held on February 26 at the BMICH from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

23rd Upali remembrance

COLOMBO: The 23rd anniversary of the disappearance of Upali Wijewardene will be commemorated on Monday.

A blood donation campaign will be held on Monday at Kelani Raja Maha Vihara, Mass at St. Lucias Chapel, Kotahena, presentation of 10 scholarships to Helena Wijewardene school by the Directors of Upali Group, alms-giving to Dr. B. S. Jayawardene Boys' orphanage, Ja-Ela by staff of Upali Group and Bodhi pooja at Kelani Raja Maha Vihara by the chief incumbent, Ven. Dr. Kollupitiya Mahinda Dhammarakkitha Thera to invoke blessings on Wijewardene.

Wijewardene was the founder Chairman of Upali Group of Companies and first Director General of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission (now BOI).

He was also the Chairman of the Board of Stewards of Sri Lanka Turf Club and the Chief Basnayake Nilame of Kelani Raja Maha Vihara.

He initiated Ruhunu Udanaya Movement to develop Kamburupitiya in the southern province.

International seminar

COLOMBO: Chairman Sri Lanka Foundation and President Centre for Security Analysis, Chennai with the Executive Advisor Hanns Seidel Foundation will hold an International seminar on 'The Peace Process in Sri Lanka: Challenges and opportunities' under the patronage of Bradman Weerakoon, former Advisor to Prime Minister, at 9.00 a.m. on February 15 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Colombo 7.

Upper Kotmale hydro-electricity project implementation

KOTMALE: As the first step towards the implementation of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Electricity project the Ministry of Power and Energy has given priority to the completion of social and human resources development activities for the resettlement of the people displaced by it.

As part of the programme under the direction of Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, the ministry has taken steps to transform the unemployed children of displaced families into a skilled workforce by conducting vocational training courses for them.