Quick Look

Acting Minister

Enterprise Development Minister Mano Wijeyeratne has been appointed as acting Minister of Construction and Engineering Services by President Mahinda Rajapaksa until the return of Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne from abroad.

Sandagiri new vta chairman

Former Navy Commander Admiral Daya Sandagiri yesterday assumed duties as the chairman of Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority (vta) at its office in Narahenpita.

An old boy of St. Mary's College Veyangoda and Kegalle Central College, Sandagiri was at the helm of the Sri Lanka Navy for over five years. He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff on his retirement as the Naval Chief.

He succeeds Major General Thilak Ponnamperuma. Major General Ponnmperuma, Director General W.A. Ranaweera, Director (Training) K.P. Koralage, Directors W.D. Fernando, C.R. Samaraweera were also present on the occasion.

Memorial oration

The second annual memorial oration of K. C. Kamalasabayson, President's Counsel and former Attorney-General will be held on Friday, August 28 at 5 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Law College auditorium, Colombo 12. His Lordship the Chief Justice J. A. N. de Silva will be the chief guest while Attorney General P. Mohan Peiris PC will be the guest of honour.

The memorial oration will be delivered by Ms Kanag-Iswaran (President's Counsel).

Financial allocation

The Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry has released a grant of Rs. 28.8 million for the development of forty eight Grama Niladhari divisions in the Dickwella Divisional Secretariat area.

The funds will be utilized for the implementation of development activities under the second stage of Jathika Saviya - Gama Neguma program.

Planting project

Theja VIDYARUPA, Akuressa Group Correspondent

Kotapola Environment and Community Facilitation Committee will plant herbal, fruit and flower plants alongside the main road from Kotapola to Deniyaya for the protection of environment and natural beauty.

Chairman of the Committee said it is expected to launch a continuous town clearing program for the eradication of epidemic of dengue.

He said 900 plants were planted at the premises of Kotapola Pradeshiya Sabha, crematorium and garbage disposal centre recently.

Over 78 (A) H1N1 patients in Lanka

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Seventy eight (A)H1N1 patients have been reported in Sri Lanka upto date, said Public Heallth Deputy Director Dr. Palitha Maheepala. Out of this, 68 travelled to Sri Lanka from other countries, he said.

The other 10 patients were persons who closely associated with some of those patients. Seven patients had come to Sri Lanka from UK and another seven from Saudi Arabia. The number of patients who had come from India is five. Three patients had come from the US, Dr. Maheepala said.

Science labs in IDP centres

The Education Ministry will set up seven mobile science laboratories in IDP centres in Vavuniya to facilitate the practicals in science teaching.

These mobile labs costing Rs. 7 million will be shifted to permanent schools in the area after these IDP centres are closed, ministry sources said.

CBI arrests Sri Lankan on the run for 18 years

The special crime branch of CBI arrested a Sri Lankan, John Prabhakaran, who has been wanted in two fake passport cases.

The man with suspected links with LTTE has been absconding for nearly 18 years.

The SCB officials, after entering Prabhakaran’s name in the wanted list in 1991, arrested him from Chennai on Monday.

Prabhakaran had been operating from Chennai and also from other parts of Tamil Nadu with a strong network in Sri Lanka. Times of India

Computer training centre

M. I. Farook- Batticaloa district group corr.

The Ministry of Education has taken measures to set up a computer training centre at Eravur Al-Azhar Vidyalaya for the benefit of the students in the school.

Rs. 285,000 has been provided by the Asian Development Bank for this purpose, said the principal of the school, M. S. Abul Hassan.

In addition, Rs. 200,000 has been set apart by Eastern Provincial Council Minister M. L. A. M. Hizbullah to fulfil other requirements of the school.

A task force has also been formed in the school to promote home gardening, forming a students club and improving agriculture in the school compound, he said.

Road in bad state

Fred Silva JINASENA Telwatta group correspondent

The only road leading to the gigantic "Maga Neguma", Premix Plant and Metal Crusher Plant situated in Galagoda, Ambalangoda is in a horrible state, no action has been taken by the Road Development Board for 25 years

to repair it, villagers of Galagoda and suburb villagers said.

This road is commencing from Ronnaduwa junction on the main road of Ambalangoda, Madampe and Baddegama and the area belongs to the Divisional Secretariat, Hikkaduwa and Rathgama Provincial Council. The road is full of potholes which turn into muddy puddles on rainy days causing great inconvenience to both motorists and pedestrians.

Annual walk

The second Annual Members Walk will be worked off on August 29, Saturday at 6.30 a.m.

The Assembly point will be the premises of the National Football Training Centre at Baddegana and will proceed along Baddegana Road to Kotte Road, Mahindarama Road, Ferry Road to Sri Lanka Nippon Friendship Road, Sri Sunethrarama Vihara Mawatha and back to the Football Training Centre.

The themes of the Walk are to educate the public of the necessity to keep the Environment Clean and free of pollution which will be helpful in preventing diseases such as Dengue and to promote walking as a means of maintaining health.

SEC Chairman at symposium

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Udayasiri Kariyawasam will deliver the keynote address at the twenty seventh International Symposium on Economic Crime held from August 30 to September 6 organised by the Jesus College of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Felicitation ceremony

Manel Mal Wiru National felicitation ceremony organised by Manel Mal Movement will be held on September 2, at 3.30 p.m. at the National Youth Services Council Hall, Maharagama.

The presentation of a book titled 'Uthura Saha Nagenahira Rakadun Budu Puthun' and the distribution of wheelchairs to disabled soldiers will also take place at this occasion.

Representatives of Tri Forces and Police, founders of the National Patriotic Movement and Manel Mal Movement will also participate.

AGM

The nineteenth Annual General Meeting of the Air Traffic Engineering Officers Association of Airport and Aviation Services (Sl)Ltd. (AASL) will be held on Saturday, August 29, at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo.

The ceremonial session will be held on "Golden Pond".

The Chief guest will be AASL Chairman Prasanna Wickramasooriya while guest of honour will be K.V.P. Ranjith de Silva, Secretary Ministry of Aviation.

Opening ceremony

Lakro English Academy - Elawella Road, Matara will be opened by the Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhana on August 30, Sunday at 09.58 a.m.

Home Affairs Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera will also participate at the occasion.