Quick Look

170,000 new voters in Matale

Sigiriya group correspondent

There are 170,000 new voters for the forthcoming Central Provincial Election says the Assistant Commissioner of Elections Matale Phillip Nisantha de Silva. He said they are eligible according to the Electoral Register of 2007.

The total number of voters registered in Matale district is 3,338,946 and the number of candidates to be elected is 07.

The Assistant Commissioner said Nominations were received from December 24-31 and the election will be conducted at 295, polling stations.

He disclosed the following details - Dambulla - 97 Polling stations, Matale - 67, Rattota - 74 and Laggala 67.

The Assistant commissioner requested the candidates, political parties and the public to have a peaceful environment during the election period.

Insanitary conditions at hospital

Aloka Bandara Dissanayake Dambulla special corr.

It is seen that some parts of the premises of Base Hospital, Dambulla is a big threat to the health of its patients as well as medical staff and also the visitors.

This situation prevails due to the insanitary condition of these places. A lavatory pit over flows to the drain causing a bad smell. The nurses assert that it is very difficult to stay there and they have complained to the doctors of the ward too. This pit is covered with a card board. The hole where the waters of the kitchen flow in is also filled and not safely closed. A bad smell emanates from this also.

According to the information the responsible heads have been informed, but it is in vain.

Allegation by SB baseless

Sigiriya group correspondent

S.B. Dissanayake's allegations against Samurdhi Niladharis, describing them as 'Election Machine' is baseless. Talking with the rural villagers and discussing appropriate subjects in the role of Samurdhi Movement, said the Minister of National Building and Infrastructure Development S.M. Chandrasena.

He was on an inspection tour to examine the project assessment of the Samurdhi Authority in Matale.

The Minister said "Your co-operation and dedication is needed for Nation Building. Be partners in development, but you should not be the of the politicians, and we shall never ask you to be with us, but use your brain for justice."

Underground crossing not properly used

Ariyapala Wansathilake Kurunegala Central special corr.

Adults and schoolchildren are not making proper use of the underground pedestrian crossing in front of the court complex in Kurunegala.

This underground pedestrian crossing is ideally suited to service the purpose of safe crossing to pedestrian traffic. But most of them try to cross the highway without using it.

Kurunegala police said some mischievous youth cast indecent remarks at schoolgirls who try to walk along the underground pedestrian crossing.

He said this underground pedestrian was built by the Government to prevent unnecessary road accidents and save precious lives.

Two acres each

A. W. Gunasekera Banda Balangoda Central group corr.

Arrangement are being made to distribute 80 acres belonging to the Land Reform Commission at Amilagama in the Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat division for the cultivation among 40 families. Each family will receive two acres said a spokesman of the LRC.

Buddhist talk

Rinzee Randeniya will deliver a public Buddhist talk in English on 'The Science of Meditation' at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday, January 10 at 4.30 p.m. at the Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Duruthu Perahera

The annual Duruthu Perahera of the Bolawalana Sri Jayasudarshanarama Viharaya will be held on December 10 starting at 7 pm. The Sri Jayasundarshanaramaya was built under a programme sponsored by late Minister Jayaraj Fernandopulle through his personal contributions. The perahera replete with elephants dancers and other cultural features is conducted for the sixth consecutive year under the guidance of Dr. Sudarshanie Fernandopulle, Chairperson Perehera Committee.

Italy to finance water projects

The Italian Government has decided to participate in the financing of the UNHCR Special Project to improve water and Sanitation Services in selected operations in 2008/09.

Among the funds made available by the Italian Government, 250,000 Euros has been allocated to finance activities in IDP camps in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Trincomalee, for the construction of water wells, rehabilitation of water wells in the area of returnees, promotion of good hygienic practices, states an Italian Embassy press release.

Krishnamurti talk

A recorded public talk on 'Is there a way out of the crisis in the world?' delivered by the late Indian philosopher, J. Krishnamurti will be replayed at Anula Nursery School hall 310, High Level Road, Colombo 6 at 9.45 am on Sunday, January 11.

Induction ceremony

Dr. Narendra Pinto will be inducted as the new President of The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, on January 17 at 6 pm. at Water's Edge Golf and Country Club, Battaramulla.

Dr. Narendra Pinto is Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, National Hospital of Sri Lanka. He succeeds Dr. D.S. Liyanarachchi, Consultant Surgeon, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Certificate course

The certificate course organised by the Institute of Chemistry is designed to provide knowledge on scientific principles and procedures to be followed from product concept to the market in the development of functional foods.

The course will begin on Wednesday, January 7 and will continue of five Wednesdays from 9.00 a.m. to 4 pm. and will be held at the Institute of Chemistry, Adamantane House, 341/22, Kotte Road, Welikada, Rajagiriya.

Lecture

Dr. Gillian Juleff of the Exeter University in England will deliver a lecture on 'Monsoon Steel' (early metallurgical technology and its development in Sri Lanka) at the British Council auditorium, Alfred House Gardens, Colombo on January 6 at 5 pm. The lecture marks the creation of a new permanent display for the Martin Wickramasingha folk museum at Koggala.
 

Community Centre in Alagala reconstructed

G. A. Gunasena Ginigathena special corr.

The community centre at Alagala, a remote village situated in the Ambagamuwa (Ginigathena) DS division has been reconstructed by the Ambagamuwa divisional secretariat under the Government’s Gama Neguma Programme.

On a proposal made by the former Central Provincial Councillor and the chief SLFP organiser for Maskeliya W.G. Ranasinghe and Minister of Nation Building A.P. Jagath Pushpa Kumara funded a sum of Rs. 500,000 for the reconstruction of the rural community centre which was in an improper state during the past few years.

John Travolta ‘heartbroken’ over son’s death

Actor John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston said they were “heartbroken” over the death last week of their son Jett, 16, who was found unconscious during a family vacation in the Bahamas.

“Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered. We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief,” the family said in a statement Sunday.

“We have received many messages of condolence from around the world and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. It has meant so much to us,” the statement said, signed: “With love, John, Kelly and Ella.” Jett Travolta had a history of seizures since he was a toddler and his father’s attorney said he may have suffered a lethal one on Friday.

The youth was the only son of the 54-year-old film star — also a trained jet pilot — and actress Preston, 46. Their daughter Ella is aged eight.