Quick Look

Pirith to bless President

A 365 day pirith pinkama to invoke blessings on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the three Armed Forces and police and the people will be held today at the Ruwanweli Maha Chaitya, Anuradhapura.

The pinkama which begins today will continue for 365 days ending on 2010 Duruthu Poya Day.

The event initiated by Nation Building Minister, S.M. Chandrasena has been organised jointly by the Samurdhi Authority, Weerasinghe Foundation of Japan and the people of Raja Rata.

Emblem distribution ceremony

A ceremony to distribute emblems of the Siri Pagnathissa Dharma Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda will be held tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. at the Siri Pagnathissa Dharmaprasada.

Dr. Nambiriththankadawara Gnanarathana Thera, Department Head of the Pali and Buddhist Studies of Kelaniya University will conduct this event.

Iraqi Justice refutes allegations

The story with the above title we carried on page 4 yesterday, January 8, 2009 was based on a press release issued by the Embassy of Iraq in Colombo.

Treasury Secretary pleads for time

The Treasury Secretary Sumith Abeysinghe yesterday filed a motion in the Supreme Court moved for further two weeks time to file objections in the rights application that sought to reduce the price of petrol.

Abeysinghe stated that the Court granted three weeks time on December 17, for the same. He apologised to the Court for the inconvenience caused. The matter has been fixed for January 13.

Pressure mine defused

A group of STF officers from the Amparai Kunchikudiaru camp on a routine route patrol from Kunchikudiaru to Rufuskulam found a 11 kg pressure mine buried on the road around noon on Wednesday.

The mine was later safely defused. Police headquarters said.

Registration of citizens

The Defence Ministry has decided to register citizens in the interest of their safety.

The process of registration has been made easy by furnishing information through the website, www.citizens.lk, the Media Centre for National Security states.

Call from Bar Assn

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka requested members to assemble at the main entrance of the General Cemetery Kanatte at 4.00 p.m. on Monday to participate in the funeral of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga.

Awards ceremony

The awards ceremony of the Diploma in Travel, Tourism, Economics and Hotel Management of the Colombo University will be held on January 16 at 3 p.m. at the Senate room of the College House. Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof. Kshanika Hiruburegama will also participate.

Islamic lectures on Poya Days

Scholar Hafil Al Alim Fazil Farook (Darul Uloom Islammiyya, New Castle, South Africa), will deliver a talk on 'The Third Haram of Islam (The Sacred Land) today at 10.30 a.m. at the Nimal Road Jummah Masjid in Bambalapitiya along the Marine Drive.

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Past Pupil's Association of St. Mary's Maha Vidyalaya, Avissawella will be held on January 18 at 10 am.

Plea to reopen library

The Public Library at Ibbagamuwa has been closed due to its dilapidated condition. This library is maintained by the Ibbagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha.

This building was built by the Pradeshiya Sabha in 1996 at a cost of Rs. 1.5 million. The plan was to construct a three storeyed building, but as the first step, only the ground floor was built. All the walls are cracked. As a result of the closure the members are greatly inconvenienced. They request the Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha to take prompt action to renovate the building.