In brief

Environment Day celebrations

Environment Day will be celebrated in Wariyapola today with the European Union participating in a special program at Malagane Maha Vidyalaya.

Four other schools Netiya Kanishta Vidyalaya, Wilgamdematawa Kanishta Vidyalaya, Kuranawa Kanishtra Vidyalaya and Mellapoththa Babul Adam Muslim Maha Vidyalaya will also participate.

North Western Province Governor Tissa Balalle and European Union Ambassador Bernard Savage will be the Guests of Honour.

The program will start with tree planting in the school compound followed by the presentation of books to participating schools. The two books are on the Natural Environment of Sri Lanka and the Biodiversity of Sri Lanka.

Two lectures on the Natural Environment of Sri Lanka by Sudath Abeysinghe and on Sri Lanka's Biodiversity by Ravindra Kariyawasam will follow.

This program is organized by the Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust.

Special program on Buddhist conference in Thailand

A special program on the International Buddhist Conference held in Thailand as part of the United Nations Vesak day celebrations will be telecast today at 10.30 p.m. on Sirasa TV.

The event, held at the Buddhamonthon Auditorium, Nakhon Pathom, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, was attended by members of the Maha Sangha and the Buddhist laity from over 90 countries.

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and the Thai Deputy Prime Minister attended the ceremonies. Tourism Minister Milinida Moragoda delivered the keynote speech on Buddhism and Governance in the 21st Century.

Blood donation at Seylan Bank

The Seylan Bank, Mt. Lavinia branch has organised a blood donation campaign at its premises on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of ceremonies to mark its 20th anniversary.

De Mazenod College OBA special meeting

The Old Boys Association (OBA) of De Mazenod College, Kandana is organizing the Mazemodian walk and carnival to raise funds to construct the College Swimming pool.

A special general meeting will be held on June 7, 2009 at 10.00 a.m. at the College hall to discuss to find sponsorship for the event.

Contact 0777 322577 or 0773 950205 for details.

Madarasa admissions

Jamiyathus Sumaiyya Arabic College, Thihariya requested all applicants to be present with their parents tomorrow between 11.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. for interviews.

Gram dansela

A gram dansela organised by the youths in Thalgahawatte , Boralesgamuwa will be held at the Y junction at Thalgahawatte on June 7 at 7.30 p.m.

Poson Bakthi Gee tomorrow

The Buddhist Society of the Colombo South International College under the guidance of Vice Principal Nalini Jayasekera will conduct a Poson Bhakthi Gee recital at the College tomorrow at 5.30 p.m.

It will be held under the patronage of Managing Director Mangala Wijekularatne and Directress Sudharshi Munaweera.

Sri Lanka’s new Ambassador to Norway Rodney M. Perera presented his credentials to King Herald of Norway at the Royal Palace in Oslo. Perera explained to the Norwegian Head of State the aim of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government to free civilians held captive by the separatist terror group.

Two volumes containing speeches made by Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle as Chief Government Whip in Parliament till his death, published by the Department of Government Printer was distributed to the media by Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle. A journalist receives her copy. Picture by Sudath Nishantha