News in brief

No slaughter of animals during Vesak, Buddha Jayanthi

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged to refrain from slaughtering animals for meat during the Vesak season and the 2550 "Sambuddha Jayanthi".

The President will also take steps to legislate new laws to stop the inhumane killing of stray dogs by Provincial Authorities.

The President has taken steps to improve the veterinary facilities. The necessary medicine will be made available immediately.

Expect Friday from today

COLOMBO: Friday, an English language tabloid published by Lake House will be released today. Friday will reflect a wide range of opinion, cutting across politics, high culture, cinema, arts and popular culture. It will be available at the newsstands from today.

New Prisons Chief

COLOMBO: Justice And Law Reforms Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda has appointed Major Gen. Vajira Nissanka Wijegunawardena as the new Prisons Commissioner with effect from May 2.

His appointment received Cabinet approval on Wednesday.

Commerce Day

COLOMBO: Royal College, Colombo will hold the annual Commerce Day today. Over 600 children representing 70 schools from Colombo and outstation will participate. The event is organised by the College Commerce Society.

Winners of the quiz competition held last week at Navarangahala will receive certificates at the function to be held under the patronage of MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa.

Commerce Society committee member, Ashoda Panduka said the objective of the event was to develop educational skills of students who study Commerce as a subject at the Advanced Level Examination.

"Commerce gives the younger generation a comprehensive knowledge on import, export and sales and marketing strategies," he said.

A new website will also be launched.

AGM

PANAGODA: The 48th Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Artillery Association will be held on May 14 at the Sri Lanka Artillery Regimental Headquarters, Panagoda at 11.00 a.m.

Exam dates rescheduled

COLOMBO: The dates of several examinations which were not held on April 29 and 30 due to the inability of North and East candidates being unable to travel with the closure of the A9 Road have been rescheduled for May 5 and 6.

The competitive examination to select Trainee Staff Assistants (for the North and East) and Limited Competitive Examination to recruit Class II Grade II of the Sri Lanka Principals Service will be held from May 2 to 6.

The open competitive examination to recruit Assessors of Class II

Grade II will be held on May 7.

Call for free transport for Bhikkhu students

COLOMBO: The National Bhikkhu Front has requested the Education Minister to grant free transport facilities provided to school students to Bhikkhu students as well.

The National Bhikkhu Front pointed out that Bhikkhu students receive education at the Pirivena established long before schools and these institutions still play a vital role in educating young Bhikkhus and improving literature, arts and language.

The Bhikkhu Front hoped free transport is provided to Bhikkhu students immediately.

Vesak celebrations in Kalutara

KALUTARA: The Kalutara Bodhi Trust and the Kalutara Bodhimaga Padanama is making arrangements to celebrate Vesak 2550.

Vesak Week celebrations will commence at 2.30 p.m. on May 9 at the Bodhi premises with a Bodhi Pooja to invoke blessings on the people. Over 500 Bhikkus are expected to participate.

The ceremony will be over around 6.00 p.m.

A special publication covering activities for the week will be distributed to all bhikkus and guests.

Fulbright Lecture

COLOMBO: A public lecture on 'History in our genes' will be held at the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission at No. 7, Flower Terrace, Colombo 7 on May 10 at 5.30 p.m. The Fulbright Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (FAASL) will host it.

The lecture, an insight to the genetic history of three ethnic groups

in Sri Lanka will be delivered by Dr. Neil Fernandopulle.

Dr. Fernandopulle, a senior scientist at Genetech Molecular Diagnostics has been working on the molecular anthropology of the major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.

Meditation course for 2550 Sambuddha Jayanthi

COLOMBO: A course on Meditation starts on May 12, and will continue for three days. The venue will be the Meditation centre, Thalagala.

There will be Dhamma discourses and discussions and kiripidu puja, Sambuddha puja, Bodhi puja etc.

Those who wish to follow the Meditation Course contact Ven. Uduwe Hemaloka (In charge of the Meditation Centre) Vipassana Meditation Centre, Thalagala, Millewa on 034-2254206.

Buddha Jayanthi Kiripidu Buddha Pooja

COLOMBO: Ven. Naotunne Gunasiri Maha Thera Viharadhipathi Vajirarama will administer Sil and preside at the offering of the Kripindu Buddha Pooja on Vesak Poya day. May 12 at the Vajirarama Temple at 6.30 a.m. The Kiripindu Buddha Pooja will be brought in procession to the Vajirarama Temple from the residence of Harold Fernando of 23, R.A. de Mel Mawatha Colombo 5.

Akashi here on Saturday

COLOMBO: Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi, will arrive in Sri Lanka on Saturday to help revive the stalled peace process. Akashi, following his four-day visit is scheduled to fly to India on Wednesday to brief the Indian leaders on the current situation on the peace front.

Aloysian Avurudhu

COLOMBO: The Aloysian Avurudhu 2006 will be held on Sunday May 7, at Police Ground, Havelock Road, Colombo 5.

Get-together

COLOMBO: The annual get-together of Past pupils of Lumbini Vidyalaya, Colombo 05 will be held at the main hall of the school on May 6 at 6.00 p.m.

Concert

COLOMBO: A concert will be held featuring Corrine and Ronnie in aid of St. Joseph's Convent Kegalle's swimming pool project, on May 7 at the BMICH at 6.30 p.m. Music will be provided by Sohan and the Xperiments. The concert will also feature dance acts by Channa Wijewardena. It will be compered by Vijaya Corea, presented by D.K. Presentations.

Chief Minister Sabaragamuwa Province Maheepala Herath will be the chief gust. Deputy Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Kegalle District MP Kabir Hassim are due to be present.

Tree planting campaign

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka All Party Women's Federation has embarked on a national tree planting campaign.

It is proposed to hold a discussion on May 9 at 3.30 p.m. at the Ministry of Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation, No. 7A, Reid Avenue, Colombo 07.