News in brief

Student in IDP camp shines in exam

Omar Kathab Fathima Fasrin living in an IDP camp and a student of Al-Aqsa National School Kalpitiya, who obtained the third highest marks in the whole island Tamil medium at the 2007 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination received Rs. 10,000 and a certificate from the Central Tennekumbura YMMA Kandy.

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Haj festival on December 21

The Haj Festival will be celebrated on December 21, the Colombo Grand Mosque said yesterday.

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45 shanties gutted in Grandpass fire

Over 45 shanties in Mahawatte, Grandpass were gutted in a fire early yesterday. No one was injured.

The shanties had been set-up along the railway line in the Mahawatte area, Grandpass.

"Most shanties were on fire when the fire brigade was called to douse the fire," Grandpass OIC C.W. Wickramasekara told the Daily News.

The fire was brought under control within an hour. The victims were provided witch temporary shelter and food.

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22,357 sit O/Ls in Jaffna

A total of 22,357 candidates are sitting the GCE O/L examination being held in 174 centres in Jaffna. The Security Forces are ensuring maximum security to the examination centres coordinated through 27 units.

A preliminary discussion to explore possibilities for holding the examination uninterrupted was held on December 3 with the participation of five zone directors of education and the Security Forces including the police.

Question papers were airlifted by the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters and provided security until the examination. The examination will continue until December 20.