Quick Look

Dengue down

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

There is a slight decrease in Dengue cases in July compared to June, the Government Epidemiology Unit revealed. Accordingly 7,049 Dengue cases were reported in June and the figure had come down to 5,794 in July.

A total of 21,178 Dengue cases have been identified since last January.

The highest number (758 cases) were reported from Colombo while 753 cases were reported from Kegalle during July.

Out of the 21,178 Dengue cases, 227 have died. Forty one deaths are reported from Gampaha District. No Dengue cases have been reported from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts.

Hundreds of thousands throng Kandy for Perahera

Indika POLKOTUWA and Aseka KURULUWANSA

Kandy and its environs were filled with hundreds of thousands of devotees and sightseers who had come to witness the historic Esala Perahera's final day yesterday for the first time after terrorism was defeated.

Crowds converged on the route taken by the Perahera from dawn and various Buddhist organizations and volunteers offered them food and refreshments while they were standing on the roadside till the day perahera arrived.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Central Province Pujith Jayasundara said about 350,000 people had entered Kandy yesterday to witness the pageant.

Postponed

The 25th Death Anniversary Commemoration of Marhoom Alhaj Sir Razik Fareed organized by the Sir Razik Fareed Foundation with the co-operation of the Moors' Islamic Cultural Home (Inc.) which falls this year on August 23, Sunday has been put off on a decision taken by the Sir Razik Fareed Foundation Board of Directors due to the intervening Ramazan Fast.

Instead of a public gathering the occasion will be marked by a religious observance conducted exclusively by the members of the Board on August 23 at his grave-side.

Electrician dies

Sarath WELAGEDARA Elahera Group Correspondent

An Electric Technician attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board was electrocuted in Bakamuna yesterday morning.

M.M. Maddhuma Bandara (52) father of three died by electric shock when he was repairing a transformer in Bakamuna. Bandara, resident of Diggalpitiya, Bakamuna, was attached to a sub CEB depot in Bakamuna.

The Bakamuna police is investigating.

Anniversary

The 10th anniversary of the Association of KOICA Fellows in Sri Lanka will be celebrated on August 7 at the Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo at 6.30 p.m.