News in brief

Maha Pinkama

POLONNARUWA:The third Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Deepa Dassana Maha Pinkama organised by the Pansil Surekeeme Padanama of the Embilipitiya Budu Pahan Centre will be held at the historic Somawathi Cetiya Polonnaruwa on June 28.

The pinkama is held to invoke blessings on the President, Government, Security forces, police and the country and its people, said the chief co-ordinator K.H. Wilfred. The participants will leave the Budu Pahan Centre for Polonnaruwa in a special mortacade at 5.30 pm on June 27, he said.

Workshop on national security

COLOMBO: The Government Information Department in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat, Defence Ministry and the Education Ministry has organised a workshop program titled 'Kumara Pavura' to educate school principals, teachers and students on national security and disaster management. The program will be held in four stages.

The Information Department in a press release said the workshops under the program will be held at the Maharagama National Institute of Education on June 19, 20 and 21, Galle Kalegana Resource Centre on June 26, 27 and 28, Gurudeniya Education Development Centre on July 3, 4 and 5 and the Anuradhapura Resource Centre on July 10, 11 and 12.

Seminar on bomb threats

COLOMBO: A one day seminar on 'Bomb Threats' organised by the Industrial Security Foundation (Sri Lanka) Inc., (ISF) will take place at the 'Learning Centre' YWCA, Rotunda Gardens, Colombo 03 on June 17, Saturday commencing at 8.30 a.m.

The participants at this seminar should be those engaged exclusively in the security profession, in both private and public sector organisations and institutions.

As the resources personnel, Former Director Police College, and a Fellow of the Security Foundation, S. B. W. de Silva and Eric Perera will share with the participants, their life experience in dealing with subjects of Threat from Explosives, Identification & Action concerning suspected explosive devices, at this seminar.

Participation is strictly by prior registration. Further details could be had from ISF Secretariat, Fax. 5634939 or Phone 0777476103, states ISF Press Release.

Launch of a new research work on music

COLOMBO: The launch of the research work authored by Dr. Dayaratne Ranatunga and Prof. Amara Ranatunga titled "Polineesiyanu Sangeethaya Ha Narthanaya - Thulanathmaka Vigrahayak" takes place at National Library Services Board Colombo, today, June 15 at 3.00 p.m.

Prof. Richard Moile from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and the distinguished members of Advisory Committee of the Amaradeva Music Foundation too will participate on this occasion. The opening of Amaradeva Music Foundation too will take place on this day.

Zikr Majlis and Thawba

NAWALA: A programme has been organised by M. H. A. Haniffa, Chief Trustee of the Nawala Jumma Mosque who will conduct Thawba and Zikr Majlis at the Masjiful Badriveen (Nawala Jumma Mosque). The programme will commence on June 16th after Esha prayers.

Consumer workshop, seminar

COLOMBO: The Consumer Affairs Authority will hold a workshop, seminar with the business community on June 19, Monday at the CWE Auditorium, 27, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2 from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

The key speakers are Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Rohitha Bogollagama, Dr. W.M.K. Ratnayake, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Ajith Nivard Cabral, Prof. I.M. Dharmadasa, Sunil Wijesingha and other representatives from the business community.

The topics are:

* Consumers and the business community: Vision of the Government;

* The business community and consumer authority: A dialogue;

* Expectations of public and the business community towards consumer authority;

* Combating prices and cost of living: Joint agenda for the business community and consumer authority;

* Women in business and women as consumers and

* Balancing the interest of consumers and the business community: Some suggestions. There will be a special guest lecture on 'Solar energy for development and poverty reduction' by Prof. I.M. Dharmadasa of the Sheffield University, UK.

SJC OBU mass

COLOMBO: St. Joseph's College O.B.U. family mass will be held on June 18 at 8.30 a.m. at the College Chapel which will be followed by breakfast. This mass is being organized by the Class of '71.

NCC welcomes IGP's statement on arrest and detention

COLOMBO: The Commission for Justice and Peace of the National Christian Council (NCC) of Sri Lanka welcomes the IGP's statement quoted by the "Daily News" of June 01 that the Police will abide by certain norms when searches and other security operations are carried out.

It has been reported that the security personnel are insisting on Police Registration form, particularly from Tamils in Colombo and elsewhere.

We note that the Emergency Regulations published under gazette extraordinary No 1405/14 of 13 August, 2005 lays down the procedure to be followed during search operations and that there is no requirement in the law for anyone to register with the Police. We call upon the IGP to publish prominently in all language newspapers the procedure laid down in the law and the requirements of the law in this regard so that people will know that security forces are acting within those confines during searches and arrests.

Help save her life

KANDY: Chandralatha, 38, of Teldeniya is suffering from renal failure and has been recommended an urgent kidney transplant. She seeks kidney donor.

Her husband, a minor employee says he is unable to meet the costs of expensive drugs and tests.

Therefore, the philanthropists and public are requested to assist Chandralatha's cause by sending whatever contribution possible to A/C No-207-1646535 People's Bank Teldeniya branch. Willing kidney donor could contact 2512113, 0776548825 or 0777207042.

Book launch

COLOMBO: R.P. Wijesinghe's latest book Helidaravva will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall, Colombo 10 on Tuesday, June 20 at 10 a.m. Helidaravva is the Sinhala translation of Cakes and Ale.

Wijesinghe has written many other books such as Venus saha Adoris, Nagarajge Lokaya, Laba Upan Heti, Veera Bhoomi, Dimur, Mole Gedara, Gora Casterbridge Nagaradhipathi, Upekshara, Podi Duva and Parithyagaya.

Foundation laying ceremony

Ingiriya Central Group Corr

INGIRIYA: The ceremonial stone-laying ceremony for the constructing of the Aukana Buddha replica at the Ingiriya Imagira Sri Vijaya Bodhiraja Buddhist Center will be held on June 18.

This is being organised by the temple Dayaka Sabha on the advised of Ven. Ingiriya Vipulasara Thera, Chief Incumbent of the temple

Awards ceremony

COLOMBO: The 7th annual awards ceremony of the Ingrin Printing and Graphic Institute will be held at the BMICH, today at 2.30 p.m.

Primierr Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. Ministers Sripathi Suriyaarachchi, Piyasena Gamage, Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Southern Province Governor Kingsley T. Wickremaratne and the Netherland Ambassador in Sri Lanka will attend the ceremony.