Quick Look

UK and Sri Lanka cooperate to tackle illegal migration

The British Government and the Government of Sri Lanka have an ongoing agreement to facilitate the return of Sri Lankan nationals who have been remaining unlawfully in the UK.

As part of this agreement on Thursday, January 15 the first charter flight of Sri Lankan returnees arrived at the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport from the UK.

It marks the commencement of what is hoped will be a regular program of charter flights and supports the UK Border Agency policy to detect, detain and remove those who have unlawfully entered the UK or pose a threat.

The Government of Sri Lanka's support was instrumental in ensuring this flight took place, states a British High Commission press release.

Lanka bound ganja seized

Eight kgs of ganja with an estimated street value of Rs 8 million was seized and two persons arrested at Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district on Monday.

Police also seized the vehicle carrying the ganja, which was to be smuggled to Sri Lanka.

The arrested were Mohammed Aneez, 27, and Abudhagir, 27, from Coimbatore. Abudhagir, an accused in the Coimbatore serial blast case, was out on bail, police said. PTI

Contaminated rice Traders get fine and community service

Kapila Somaratne Panadura group cor.

Six traders found guilty of selling contaminated rice were fined Rs. 2,500 each and ordered to engage in community service for 60 hours by Panadura Magistrate Thusara Rajasingha.

Panadura Public Health Inspector D. Amarapala prosecuted.

Akashi arrives tomorrow

Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow. During his stay, Akashi is expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Representatives of the Government and the opposition to encourage their work on the process towards a political solution to the North East issue, a release issued by the Japanese Embassy said.

This will be his 16th visit to Sri Lanka since he was appointed as the Representative of the Japanese Government on peace building , rehabilitation and reconstruction of Sri Lanka., the release stated.

He will also visit Trincomalee and Vavuniya to observe the ground situation.

Akashi has visited Sri Lanka on several occasions for an assessment of ground situation after fighting between the Forces and terrorists escalated.

St. Sebastian's Church feast

The annual feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on January 20 around the world in a jubilant manner.

People in Kandana marks the event today at the St. Sebastian's Church, Kandana.

Rev. Fr. Mahendra Guantilake, the administrator of the shrine has finalised arrangements to conduct the feast of St. Sebastian under the patronage of the Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo.

Photography course

The 2009 one year Diploma in Photography Course conducted by the Drama, Performing Arts and Image acts Academic unit of the Kelaniya University will begin in March.

The course which will include lectures and practicals will be conducted on Sundays as a weekend course.

Those interested are requested to register with the unit before January 25 after paying the relevant registration fees.

Buddhist talk

Prof. Oliver Abeynayake will deliver a public Buddhist talk in English on "The three life interpretations of Paticca Samuppada" at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday 4.30 p.m. at Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Pushpadana AGM

The Annual General meeting of Kandy Pushpadana Balika Vidyalaya (Colombo Branch) will be held at the Girls Friendly Society Hall, Ananda Coomaraswami Mawatha, Colombo 3 on January 25 at 10.30 a.m.

The school's website will also be launched.

New members and past pupils who wish to participate should contact Ranjika - 0112 867660 or Srimathi - 0112-804720.

Musical evening

The faculty of Dental Sciences of Peradeniya University has organised a musical evening in aid of the Dental Faculty scholarship fund.

The 'Sathsara Anurawa 2009' will come on stage at 7 p.m. today at the university gymnasium.

Church feast

The annual feast of the St. Sebastian church Godella, Dankotuwa will be held on January 24 and 25.

Pooja to bless security forces

B. W. Eheliyagoda Kegalle special corr.

A "Satyagraha" and "Adhisthana Pooja", was performed at the statue of the Budumedura in Ruwanwella town invoking the Blessings of the Triple-Gem and the Deities to protect all security personnel of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force and the Police recently.

Ruwanwella PS, Ruwanwella Divisional Secretariat, Ruwanwella Police and Ruwanwella Sasana Arakshaka Bala Mandalaya and the public in the area participated in this Adhisthana Pooja for the good and well-being and protection of the forces battling against terrorism.

This adhisthana pooja and Satyagraha was headed by Deputy Sanghanayake of Three Korales and Pahatha Bulathgama two Divisions Venerable Rathnagala Sangharathana Thera. Consumer Affairs Minister H. R. Mithrapala and family members of the valiant forces personnel and the police participated in these ceremonies.

Drinking water project mooted

P. D. H. S. Gunasekera Ratnapura group corr.

A drinking-water project constructed at a cost of Rs. 650 million will come up in the Ratnapura electorate sponsored by the Government of Spain according to reports.

The preliminary activities and the ground-work in connection with the project had already been completed, said the Minister of Power and Energy W. D. J. Seneviratne.

The Minister said the project will cover the upper parts of the Ratnapura district where the drinking water problem was acute, despite floods, four or five times a year.

He said the project had been planned to cover the entire Ratnapura district which the floods affected.

Several places in the Pelmadulla electorate will also come under the project, the reports said.

Minor town development

Matale district group correspondent

Arrangements have been made by the Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry to develop minor towns in the Matale district.

In the first stage, Pallepola town which is in deplorable state for a long time is to be uplifted.

In accordance with that programme, all essential facilities will be added for this town including a new bus-stand and the sanitary service.

The preliminary work are in progress and the construction activities will begin soon.