Quick Look

Dates for Ramazan Fast

Gamini Samaranayake Kandy Roving correspondent

The Saudi Arabian Government has sent 150 tons of dates for Sri Lankan Muslims during the Ramazan Fasting month.

The Republic of Iran has also sent 15 tons of dates to Sri Lanka, Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie said. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait too will send dates to Sri Lanka while the Government of Bahrain will send 20 tons of dates.

These dates will be distributed to Muslims' through mosques under the supervision of the Department of Muslims Affairs.

President condoles death of K.C. Fernandopulle

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a condolence message has expressed his deep sadness over the death of K.C. Fernandopulle - father of former Highways and Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.

The message said: I came to know K.C. Fernandopulle a few decades ago when his son late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and I were close friends at the Law College. During my visits to Jeyaraj's house on vacation and on special occasions we were never strangers there. He showered all his affection not only on his own son, but on me as well. In our national political activities, whatever Jeyaraj had contributed, it all had the blessings of his father K. C. Fernandopulle. I hardly saw any lacuna in my joint political activities with Jeyaraj Fernandopulle because of the true humanitarian qualities Fernandopulle possessed.

This true humanist bequeathed upon in another people-friendly politician in the name of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. Moreover, Fernandopulle never considered race or religion and this outstanding quality in him stood him in good stead in garnering support of all communities in our efforts to unify the nation. I take this opportunity to convey my deep condolence to the members of his family and friends at this hour of grief.

May he rest in peace.

Meditation

The meditation sessions of Good Wishes and Pure Feelings, A National Meditation Initiative to Spread Vibrations of Love, Peace and Spiritual Powers' by the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres, Sri Lanka will be held at the following venues.

August 24 Monday from 5pm - 8pm at Tamil Society Hall, 7, 57th Lane, Colombo 6.

August 28 Friday from 5pm - 7pm at Kathiresan Hindu Temple, Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura.

August 29 from 9.30 am - 11.30 am at 115/6, Araliya Uyana, Second Lane, Mawathagama, Kurunegala.

All the programs of Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres will be free of any charge. All are invited. Further details can be obtained from 0112717572.

Raja Yoga Exhibition

Raja Yoga pictorial exhibition will be held on August 26 from 3 pm to 7 pm at 115/6, Araliya Uyana, Second Lane, Mawathagama, Kurunegala.

Followed by Raja Yoga meditation classes at the same venue on August 27 and 28 from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm.

All the programs of Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres will be free. Details can be obtained from 0112717572 or 0773506560.

UNP members crossover

Bandula Gunasekara and T.K. Ariyadasa, Malimbada group corr.

Two UNP members of Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha-Ananda Nanayakkara and Sarath Deepal - crossed over to the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at a public meeting at Akuressa on Friday chaired by Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

Former Member of SPC Manoj Sirisena, Chairman Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Munidasa Gamage and Working Director, National Lotteries Board, H.G. Sirisena also present.

DIG Mediwaka police media spokesman

Sarath Malalasekera

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Nimal Mediwaka has been appointed as the Police Media Spokesman with immediate effect by IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne.

Presently DIG Mediwaka is in charge of the Western Province Division three.

Former Police Media Spokesman Senior SP Ranjith Gunasekera will retire from service on November 13.

Seminar for rate payers

Asela Kuruluwansa

A seminar to create awareness among tax payers in Kandy will be held tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. at the Dharmaraja College auditorium, Kandy.

It will be presided over by Inland Revenue Commissioner General Mahinda Medagoda.

Matters in respect of annual returns - 2008/2009 withholding tax etc, will be dealt with at this seminar which is organised by the Regional Officer, Kandy.

Fire guts 20 houses

A fire gutted 20 houses of estate workers at a tea estate in Lindula yesterday. Police Media Spokesman Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka said the fire which had ignited in one of the houses accidentally, had spread to the other houses as they were close to each other.

Although the properties were damaged in the fire at Barefield estate no one was injured, he added.

Deadly cargo at cemetery

Four suicide kits buried in a cemetery in Nelumkulama, Vavuniya were found by Police Intelligence Units on Saturday night.

"The four suicide kits contained 11 kilos of explosives," said Police Media Spokesman Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka.

Security for candidates

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama spcl. corr.

A tight security net has been thrown around Hambantota to protect candidates contesting the Southern Provincial Council elections and the public.

A police post has been set up at the kachcheri premises at Hambantota.