Quick Look

English for up country students

Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development Minister Arumugan Thondaman who is also Ceylon Workers’ Congress General Secretary has made arrangements to develop English knowledge of upcountry students.

The Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation will organise internet English weekend classes through 43 Prajashakthi Centres in estates on the Minister’s instructions.

The agreement was signed by CWC President Muthusivalingam and Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation leader with G. Ramachandran, Director of Techo Informatics (Pvt) ltd Andhara, India on May 6 at the Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation.

Doctor in a different role

P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

A doctor attached to the Nuwara Eliya General Hospital allegedly involved in an ‘overtime racket’ was arrested by Nuwara Eliya police.

The suspect produced before District Judge Amali Ranaweera was released on Rs. 5,000 bail.

Dr Amunugama at ADB AGM

Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama returned to Sri Lanka after participating at the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Asian Development Bank in Madrid, Spain.

Minister Amunugama held discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and People’s Republic of China Finance Minister Xi Xuren. The discussions centered on expanding bilateral economic co-operation between Sri Lanka and Japan and Sri Lanka and China.

Special service

Dr. Vijaya Corea will speak tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, adjoining BMICH, Colombo 7 to mark Whit Sunday.

Blood Donation

A blood donation campaign to mark the Centenary Ahmadiyya Khilafat (Establishment of Spiritual Leadership in Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam) organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association will be held tomorrow from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at Baithul Hamd, 619/4, Baseline Road, Dematagoda, Colombo 9.

Lankans temporarily stopped from going to Lebanon

Sri Lankans will not be sent for employment to Lebanon until further notice due to unrest in that country, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Chairman Kingsly Ranawaka said.

According to the Lebanese Embassy, Sri Lankan expatriates numbering about 60,000 are safe.

Vesak pinkam series

Sri Dharmaloka Central College, Kelaniya has organised a series of Vesak Pinkamas from May 12 to 19 at the school premises.

Schoolchildren’s Sil Campaign will be held on May 12, a special Bodhi Pooja on 15, Vesak Lanterns Competition from May 15 to 19 and Osupan Dansela, Mal Dansela and at night Bakthi Gee festival on May 19.

This vesak pinkam Series are held by Sri Dharmaloka Central College Principal Nimal Jayaweera’s instructions and patronage of Napagoda Sumanatissa Thera (Head of the School Buddhist Association), Mahawa Seelananda Thera, Kuragammana Pagngnakiththi and Kadigomuwe Suneetha Thera.

Cinnamon cultivation in Galle spiced up

Sumathipala Deeyagahage, Southern Province roving correspondent

Cinnamon has been cultivated in 452 acres in the Galle district by the Agricultural Exports Department to promote the crop outside the traditional cinnamon cultivating areas.

Nearly 610 farmers have cultivated cinnamon under this programme. Aid to the tune of Rs. 1.5 million has been provided for the move.

The department says land owners prefer cinnamon as prices show an upward trend.

Romeo flees with jewellery

Indika Polkotuwa

A youth from Katugastota who had developed an acquaintance with a woman at the Kurunegala bus stand robbed her jewellery and money amounting to Rs. one lakh.

According to the woman, the youth took her to a hotel in Kandy where he administered some drugs to her and later robbed her valuable.

Vesak Sathiya declared

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The `Vesak Sathiya’ is scheduled to be held from May 14 to 20 throughout the country at every school by the Education Ministry.

Accordingly the Education Ministry has issued a circular regarding the procedure which has to be followed by Buddhist schools and all Pirivenas in accordance with Buddhist culture while the non-Buddhist schools will conduct `Daham Sathiya’ religious programmes which will coincide with their own religions.

The principals have also been advised to carry out religious activities without harming the religious identity of other religions in schools where the students represent various religions. The religious activities which will be conducted during Vesak Sathiya and Daham Sathiya will definitely help to strengthen the mutual understanding among each religion while gaining the benefit of team work, the Education Ministry sources said.

Virumawa Surakimu launched

To mark the World Mothers’ Day, the phase II of the ‘Virumawa Surakimu’ project will be launched at the John de Silva theatre, Colombo on May 13, under the patronage of Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. The Seva Vanita Unit of the Ministry will provide financial assistance totalling to Rs. 2.4 million to 200 mothers of dead soldiers. In addition 200 sewing machines costing over Rs. 1.7 million will be distributed among the beneficiaries.

FHO’s efficiency exam postponed

Family Health officers segment II ‘A’ efficiency bar examination has been postponed for May 25, in view of the Eastern Provincial Council elections.