News in Brief

Lecture

COLOMBO: Rajyogini Dr. Nirmala Kajaria, Director Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre, Asia Pacific Region will deliver a lecture on May 21 at 5 p.m. at the Saraswathy Hall, Bambalapitiya.

Programme: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Raja Yoga Pictorial Exhibition, 5 p.m. - 6.30 p.m. Lecture and Meditation experience.

Anniversary celebrations

NEGOMBO: The Young Men's Muslim Association of Negombo will celebrate its twentieth Anniversary with Meelad Un Nabi Celebration at Periyamulla, Negombo on May 21. An Open Oratical and Qirath Contest, Seven-A-Side Soccer tournament and various other events will take place on this day.

Pakistani High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Bashir Wali Mohamad will be the chief guest. Guest of Honours will be Dr. Muhammed Aejaz First Secretary of Pakistan High Commission and M.H. Saleemdeen National President of All Ceylon YMMA Conference.

Workshop on parentcraft

COLOMBO: Mauw Piya Mehewara - a workshop on Parentcraft organised by the Ma Piya Sumithuro will be held at the Darma Vijaya Foundation Auditorium, Bauddhaloka Mawatha on May 21 from 8.30 a.m. - 2.30 pm.

This free workshop aimed at those who are going to be parents guides how to spend a sound family life. Specialised doctors will be the resource persons.

"Every woman is a mother, wife, sister or a daughter. It is she who gives new life to the world and the services she renders can be compared to none. During my career, I have seen mothers' pain during their pregnancy," Parentcraft project founder and consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. L.A.W. Sirisena said.

'Having realised this invaluable parental service, we have founded the "Ma Piya Sumithuro" organisation at No. 156 A, Castle Street, Colombo 8, for the benefit of those who are seeking parenthood, he said.

Dr. Sirisena said the first ever parentcraft workshop was inaugurated at the Castle Street Maternity Hospital in 1996. This is the 112th programme of the series and is continuing every third week of Sundays from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at selected venues. More details on 2675598.

Foundation laying ceremony

WENNAPPUWA: The foundation stone will be laid today for the construction of second and third factories under 300 factory programme, undertaken by the Industrial Development Ministry.

Union Apparels and Kane Apparels Garment factories will be opened by Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama at the Noorani Industrial Estate in Wennappuwa at 10 am today.

Statistics Department new chief

COLOMBO: D.B.P.S. Vidyarathne has been appointed Director General of Census and Statistics from April 25. She joined the Department of Census and Statistics in 1976 as a statistician. She held the posts of Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Additional Director and Director respectively during the period of thirty years of career.

She received B.Sc with first class honours from the University of Peradeniya. Later while in service, Vidyarathne completed her post graduate professional training at the International Programmes Center of U.S. Census Bureau. She is the first appointed woman directress general of the Department. She is an old student of Panadura Sumangala Balika Vidyalaya.

Drama for a good cause

COLOMBO: The Leo Club of Colombo (Host) will be presenting the popular stage drama "Charitha Hathak" on Sunday, May 21 at the Elphinstone Theatre, Colombo 10 from 6.30 p.m. onwards.

All proceeds from this project will be utilised for the Club's childcare projects. Main emphasis will be to provide for the education of street children.