News in brief

President on live Rupavahini telecast today

COLOMBO: "Janapathi Jana Hamuwa", a live TV programme in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa will answer the people's questions will be telecast over Rupavahini today at 9.15 p.m.

The programme will be telecast live from Temple Trees, with media personnel posing questions on behalf of the people.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva and Mangala Samaraweera, Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera and President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga will also be present.

Esala festival from August 18 to 25

HAMBANTOTA: The Esala Festival of the temple of Sittam Gallena Raja Maha Viharaya will be held for the 39th successive year from August 18 to 25, Chief Incumbent Ven. Agalabada Saddharmakeerthi Sri Piyasiri Sanghanayaka Thera of the Hambantota District said.

The festival begins with an all night Pirith ceremony on August 18 parallel to the annual procession of the Sri Vishnu Devalaya.

The Kataragama Devalaya Perahera will be held on August 19 night, Pattini Devala Perahera on August 20 night, Sumana Saman Devalaya Perahera on August 21 night and the Batahira Rajjuru Bandara Devalaya Perahera on August 22 night.

The final Randoli Perahera will parade the streets on August 23 night with caparisoned elephant and up-country, low-country and Sabaragamuwa dancers.

The Kolmura Yagaya to invoke the blessings of the deities on the President, the country and the Armed Forces and the people will be conducted on August 24 night. The festival comes to an end with the water cutting ceremony on August 25.

Arugam Bay bridge construction

COLOMBO: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) will officially commence work on a state-of-art bridge over Arugam Bay on Monday. The new bridge is the single largest infrastructure project in USAID's Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Programme (SLTRP). Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and US Embassy officials will participate in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Manel Mal programme launch

COLOMBO:The Patriotic National Movement will launch the Manel Mal Movement's two week programme from August 7 to 20.

A meeting between President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Programme's Pioneering group members will be held to address the welfare issues of soldiers and discuss domestic problems families of the Forces face on August 7 at Temple Trees.

After the meeting, the opening ceremony of the new Head office of the Manel Mal Movement will take place at 116/2, Kirula Road, Colombo 5.

The ceremony to present manel flowers to teachers and students will take place on August 8.

The Manel Mal Movement hopes to sell around one million flowers during these two weeks, with the help of Government and private sector trade unions. This programme will be carried out at a District level.