Quick Look

Bodhi pooja to war heroes

Theja Vidyarupa Akuressa group correspondent

A Bodhi Pooja pinkama to bless the war heroes will be held at Hulandawa Parana Visuddharama Viharaya on December 30.

Pinkam for Forces and Nation

Theja Vidyarupa Akuressa group correspondent

A series of religious ceremonies have been organised by the Dayaka Sabha of Kalubowitiyana Danapala Sri Sumana Buddhist Centre under the patronage of Viharadhipathi Ven. Boralugoda Somaloka thera.

They will be held on December 31 and January 1 to bless the country, people and Security Forces.

Bodhi pooja to bless nation

Theja Vidyarupa Akuressa group correspondent

Arrangements have been made by the Dayaka Sabha of Welihena Sri Subadrarama Viharaya to hold a Bodhi Pooja to bless the country and people on December 31 and January 1 in connection with the dawning of New Year 2009. The Bodhi Pooja will be conducted by Ven. Weerapana Jinarathana Thera under the patroange of Viharadhipathi Ven. Rambukana Gnarathana Thera.

SSP briefs committees

K.A. Aleem Gampola correspondent

The Senior Superintendent of Police Gampola Police Division Ranjith Kasturiratna briefed the members of the Civil Defence Council Committees of Udapalatha Gampola on what action should be taken to safeguard human lives and public resources in an emergency.

The meeting was held at Auditorium of St. Joseph's Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Gampola. The Gampola police organised the meeting.

PS roads get new look

Sigiriya group correspondent

Rattota Pradeshiya Sabha has taken steps to have several rural roads made usable for the public benefit.

Rattota-Kuruwawa road which remained dilapidated is reported to have been concreted. The Chairman Rattota PS said, Rattota-Diganawala, and Rattota-Maraduwala roads too would be repaired soon.

Sahithya Festival at Navithanveli

V.T. Sahadevarajah

Karativu group correspondent

The first ever Sahithya (Cultural) festival Ceremony organised by Divisional Secretariat, Navithanveli was held at the DS Auditorium with Dr. M. Gopalarathnam, D.S. Navithanveli as Chairman.

The chief guest was District Secretary Sunil Kannangara.

'Kalaichsudar' awards were awarded to eight local artistes who rendered yeoman service in Navithanveli society.

Three journalists, A.L.M. Saleem, V.T. Sahadevarajah and S. Ferinparajah were presented with 'Lifelong Achiever' awards.

Four fined

Matale district group correspondent

Four girls who were loitering in Sigiriya town were arrested by the Sigiriya Police. The police produced them before Dambulla Magistrate Nimal Ranaweera who convicted and imposed a fine of Rs. 500 each.

N/E gets 120 more buses

IRANGIKA RANGE

The Government has added 120 new buses to the existing fleet to meet the demand of commuters in the North and East, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

The Minister said nearly 80 new buses have been added to the fleet in the Eastern Province. All depots including three model depots in Ampara, Kalmunai and Batticaloa in the Eastern Province provide an efficient transport service while some of depots have recorded the good revenue,” he pointed out.

Forty buses have been given to depots in Mannar, Point Pedro, Jaffna and Kankasanthurei for the benefit of commuters in the North. He pointed out that an employee attached to the depot in the North will be rewarded for excellences at the 50th SLTB anniversary celebrations to be held on December 30 at the BMICH.

He explained that the transport services in the two provinces were below expectation and efficiency had remained zero for many decades as a result of the terrorist activities. “Despite many obstacles, we were able to fill the existing vacancies of drivers and conductors while improving the infrastructure facilities in these provinces,” he noted.

Almost all depots in the East and several depots in the North are now operational except for depots in Kilinochchi and Mulaithivu. Meanwhile, Minister Alahapperuma together with Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda submitted a joint Cabinet memorandum last week seeking to strengthen the state transport system in the North Province.

Mihin Lanka back in air on Jan 1

Mihin Lanka will recommence operations from January 1, 2009.

In accordance with the Mahinda Chinthanaya policy, Mihin Lanka was founded to provide ‘low cost’ air transportation to the public. This gave an opportunity for a wider segment of society to travel abroad by air, at affordable prices, a release said.

Mihin Lanka recently acquired a new 186 seater aircraft Boeing 737-800 type (2008 vintage) of ultra modern technology fitted with CFM56-7B26 engines.

This aircraft would provide approximately three tons of cargo capacity to facilitate local exporters and manufacturers/trade.