Quick Look

New AG

Former Senior State Counsel and a Senior Civil and Criminal Lawyer Mohan Pieris has been appointed new Attorney General with effect from December 18, 2008.

Mohan Pieris, as a Senior State Counsel had led the prosecuting team in number of important cases. After joining the unofficial Bar, Pieirs had appeared for the defence in number of important civil and criminal cases in Sri Lanka.

FM to recruit foreign Service personnel annually

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama said that recruitment to the foreign service was not adequate and moves were afoot to absorb personnel annually.

The Minister made these observations at the inauguration of the orientation programme for media personnel covering parliamentary proceedings at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute.

He said the Tamil language to the officials of the foreign service should be made compulsory.

Strike at Cancer Institute called off

The All Ceylon Nurses Union called off their five-day strike at the Maharagama Cancer Institute following a discussion with Health Ministry officials.

Union’s Vice-President Uditha Vanigasekera said they decided to call off the trade union action as health authorities agreed to meet their key demands.

He said the Health Ministry officials agreed to commence a training programme for nursing staff from next April. The first batch of nurses will receive Indian training, he said.

The Ministry will also increase the nurses’ risk allowance from Rs. 500 to Rs.3,000. A fully equipped medical unit for nurses to work in protective environment will also be put up, he said.

Community centre for Rozella

G. A. Gunasena Ginigathena special corr.

The community centre at Rozella in the Watawala area in the Nuwara Eliya district has been reconstructed by the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat under the Gama Neguma programme initiated by the government.

The Ministry of Nation Building funded Rs. 500,000 for reconstruction of the old community centre which was in a state of disrepair during the past few years.

With the recommissioning of the community centre residents of the village of Rozella have been able to reutilise it to carry on their community development activities conveniently.

Bangladesh lifts emergency rule

Bangladesh's military-backed government says nearly two years of emergency rule will end Wednesday.

The move restores civil liberties ahead of this month's national elections.

A Home Ministry statement says President Iajuddin Ahmed has already signed an order lifting the emergency he declared in January last year to quell weeks of street violence over election reform that left more than 30 people dead.

The statement says the order is effective beginning Wednesday and will give candidates the freedom to conduct campaigning for parliamentary elections on Dec. 29.

Political parties have been demanding an end to emergency rule so they can campaign for the polls without any restrictions.

DHAKA, Bangladesh AP

46th anniversary of PRINT CO-OP

The 46th anniversary of Sri Lanka Printers' Co-operative Society Ltd (PRINT CO-OP) will be held at the BMICH, Committee C auditorium on December 20.

Established in 1962, the Co-Operative Society has rendered a commendable service to its members in importing and selling printing papers and printing machinery components for their use.

Society's President Dharmapriya Palansooriya has contributed largely to the progress of the society. Piyal Udaya Abhayagunawardhana is the Director/Secretary. A 15 member director board assisted by a staff of 16 manages the affairs of the society.

Sri Lanka Printer's Co-Operative Society is at No. 593, Maradana Road, P.De. S. Kularatne Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Ecumenical Christmas prayer

An ecumenical Christmas prayer and carol service on Christian unity will be held on December 21 by the Community of the Holy Trinity of the Catholic Renewal Movement from 4.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. at the Community Prayer Centre at No. 19 De Alwis Place, Dehiwela. Pastors from various Christian denominations will give messages. The service will end with fellowship and refreshments. All are welcome.

Carol service

New Covenant Church Carol service will be held on December 21 at 10.00 a.m. at 59, E.S. Fernando Mawatha, Wellawatte. The speaker - Dr. Chandy Libertus. All are welcome.

Free seminar

A free seminar for AAT members on "how to be a successful communicator" will be held at AAT Centre, Narahenpita, Colombo 05 on December 19 from 5 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

The seminar will be conducted by Senior Regional Distribution Manager of Asian Alliance Insurance PLC M.L. Subasinghe. For details call 0112595857.

Kalutara Vidyalaya get-together

The annual get-together and war heroes commemoration ceremony of the Kalutara Vidyalaya past pupils 96 group will be held at the Garden Beach Hotel Kalutara North on December 20 at 3 p.m. A highlight will be a special meeting at which special mementos will be awarded to war heroes who are members of the group, the organising committee said.

The programme will conclude with a felicitation dinner at 7 p.m.