Quick Look

Buddha, Bodhi Pooja

A Buddha and Bodhi pooja programme to invoke blessings on the Security Forces and Police, country and the people for the new year and transfer merit on people who died in the tsunami will he held at the Sri Sudarshana Dhamma Niketana Viharaya, Sudarshana road Dehiwala on December 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. The pinkama will be conducted by the Ven. Paragastota Sudhamma thera, Viharadhipati, Sath Budu Viharaya, Moronthuduwa under the direction of Viharadhipati Ven. Lelwala Samitha Thera.

Malta Boat Tragedy Commemoration

The 12 Anniversary of Malta Boat Tragedy will be commemorated in Colombo on 25.12.2008 at 11.00 a.m. at Hindu Ladies’ College Hall under the patronage of Minister of Social Service and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda and Chairman of Malta Boat Tragedy Probe Mission Balwant Singh Khera.

In this tragedy 90 Sri Lankan youths were drowning along with over 280 Indian and Pakistani nationals when their ship met with an accident near Malta on 25.12.1996. 300 candles will be lighted and a video film will be shown in the commemoration.

Buddhist talk

Professor Tilak Kariyawasam will deliver a Public Buddhist talk in English on “Facing Death - The Buddhist Way” at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday 27th December at 4.30 pm at Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Dr. Sudath Kumarasignhe Memorial Oration

Dr. Sudath Kumaraisnghe Memorial Oration will be delivered on Thursday 1st January 2009 at 3.45 pm at PPGL Siriwardene Auditorium at, Adamantane House, 341/22, Kotte Road, Welikda, Rajagiriya.

The Oration is being delivered to honour the services rendered to the institute of Chemistry Ceylon by the Late Dr. Sudath Kumarasinghe, a former Head of the Department of Chemistry, at the University of Kelaniya.

All Chemists, researchers, well-wishers and students are cordially invited to this memorial oration on an important and development subject. The formal launch of the Dr. Sudath Kumarasinghe Fund to award Graduateship Scholarship and Prizes will take place soon after the oration.
 

Have adequate stocks for festive season

Mahaweli Systems corr.

The Central Provincial Minister of Co-Operatives has directed the managements of the co-operatives in the province to guarantee an efficient consumer service during the Christmas season.

Ediriweera Weerawardhana wants the co-operative outlets in the Central Province to have sufficient stocks of essential foodstuffs for the benefit of those consumers buying (things) for the festival.

Three day fire drill

G.P.A. Weerasuriya Badulla South group corr.

A three day fire drill was completed by the new appointees of the Badulla MC Fire Brigade. This course was organised by the Badulla MC and conducted by the Senior Instructors of the Colombo MC.

At the end of the course a rehearsal was held in the heart of the Badulla town and certificates were awarded to the new appointees. All the vehicles and ambulances of the Fire Brigade (Badulla MC) were used for this rehearsal.

“This Training Course gave a good training and experience to the staff of the Fire Brigade (Badulla MC) and now they can face any serious fire disaster” said the Administrative Officer of the Badulla MC R.M. Ubesekera.

Prices of green chillies, onions up

W.A.T. Wijesinghe Pothuwatawana group corr.

Prices of green chillies and both red and big onions have risen at weekend fairs in this area.

It is reported 100 grams of green chillies is sold at Rs. 50, while 500 grams of red and big onions are sold at Rs. 80 and Rs. 50 respectively.

Excise net over Rs. 4 lakhs

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional district group correspondent

The Anuradhapura Excise Department has conducted nearly 100 successful raids in November and detected 135 litres of unlawfully distilled spirits (kasippu) and 4350 litres of goda along with illicit brewing appliances worth Rupees One million.

According to Gamini Adhikari the North Central Assistant Excise Commissioner a sum of Rs. 421,500 has been collected as fines from those who pleaded guilty for illicit brewing and selling.

BoC aid to dairy farmers

Mahaweli Systems corr.

The Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branch in Walapane has a plan to help dairy farmers in the Walapane area through a loan programme. Dairy farmers expecting to buy cattle may obtain a Rs. 50,000 loan from the Walapane BoC branch if they have an account there.

One of the objectives of this programme is to help increase local fresh cow milk production, it is indicated.

Diriya Piyasa housing scheme

Matale district group corr.

The construction of 12 houses were completed successfully within the current year (2008) in Dambulla Divisional Secretariat division by the Samurdhi Development Authority under the “Diriya Piyasa” programme.

These houses were constructed for distribution among needy families in the area.

According to the Samurdhi development officers the Government had provided Rs. 600,000 for this purpose, while Rs. 50,000 was allocated for each house.

With contributions from philanthropists and well-wishers the Samurdhi Development Authority had constructed these houses valued at Rs. 2.5 million.

Pinkama to bless President, Forces, country

A pinkama to invoke blessings on the President, Security Forces and Police and the country for the New Year and transfer merit on victims who died in the tsunami will be held in Tangalle town. The pinkama jointly organised by the Tangalle Divisional Secretariat and the President’s Co-ordianting Office in Tangalle will include an all-night Pirith Ceremony on December 28 followed by a Sanghika Dana to 100 Bhikkhus on December 29.

X’mas service

A special Christmas service of the Ceylon Pentecostal Mission will be held on December 25 at 9 a.m. at the Mission Headquarters Church, Rodrigo Place, Mattakkuliya, Colombo 15.

Bogus IP arrested

Rafik Jalaldeen

A suspect was arrested on Sunday evening at Katunayake posing off as an Inspector of Police attached to the CID and making way to the VIP area at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said the suspect was aged 35 and was a resident of Minuwangoda.

“He had frequently visited the BIA in his car with a VIP sticker. He also possessed a toy pistol and kept it on the rear seat of his car,” he added.

The suspect had entered the VIP area at the BIA several times. “The initial investigation disclosed that the suspect had an affair with a Woman Sub Inspector working at the airport and used this connection to enter the BIA,” SSP Gunasekera explained.

Katunayake police are investigating.

Man shot dead

Rafik Jalaldeen

A man was shot dead by unknown gangsters on Sunday evening at Moneragala road, Mahagodayaya, Buttala.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said two unidentified men arrived on two motorcycles shot at the left ear of Sinnaia Wijesingham, 33, and had fled the scene of the crime. The man was shot at his residence in Samagammana, Mahagodayaya.

“The suspects were wearing black jackets and helmets,” he added.

A 9mm cartridge was found from the scene.