Quick Look

Ministry relocated

The Power and Energy Ministry which was located at No.493/1, T.B. Jaya Mawatha, Colombo 10 will be relocated at Saumya Bavan, No.72, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha from today, the Ministry announced yesterday.

The Ministry will commence all its operations including that of the public relations, from the new venue from today (September 1) with the participation of Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne and Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Foundation laying ceremony

The foundation laying ceremony of the new National Scout Headquarters Building will be held on September 2 at 10.30 a.m. at 65/9, Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2, under the patronage of Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Dinesh Gunawardena on the invitation of the President of the Sri Lanka Scout Association Prof. Nimal de Silva and the Building Committee Chairman, former Chief Commissioner H.S. Weerakoon.

Off to attend Asian seminar

Indigenous Medicine Minister Tissa Karalliyadda left for Bangkok, Thailand to attend a (Asian) Regional Seminar on indigenous medicine which began yesterday. The seminar concludes on September 2.

Minister DEW in China

Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Dew Gunasekara left for the Peoples' Republic of China to attend the 5th. International Co-operation Summit to be held from August 31 - September 3.

The theme of this year's Summit is "Establishment of a new International Economic Order and an Economic Co-operation Pattern". Issues such as Food security and economic recovery will receive special focus.

Buddhist talk

Dr. Kosala de Silva will deliver a public Buddhist talk in English on "Kamma in Buddhism" at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday, September 5 at 4.30 p.m. at the Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

New Presidential advisor

Director, National Child Education Foundation (NCEF), Mulleriyawa New Town Ven. Bandagiriye Somawansa Thera has been appointed Presidential Advisor on child and primary education. Ven. Somawansa who will be attached to the Education Ministry in this capacity received his appointment letter from President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently.

Ven. Somawansa who has several books on Child Education to his credit is also the Principal of the NCEF Bauddha Vidyalaya at Mulleriyawa. (Wyman Hettiarachchi)

Ministers head for fresh Doha talks

World trade ministers meet in the Indian capital this week for a fresh round of talks aimed at building momentum to conclude the long-stalled Doha Round of global free-trade talks. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations began in 2001 with the aim of boosting global commerce to help developing countries.

Ayurveda camps for elders

Milton Dharmasinghe Bulathsinhala special corr.

The Senior Citizens Development Unit of the Bulathsinhala Divisional Secretariat has launched a program to conduct Ayurveda Medical camps for senior citizens.

Clinics have been conducted in Mahagama South, Yatagampitiya and Delwella.

Lanka B-onion the novel strain

Sigirya group correspondent

The Matale Agricultural Committee has decided to introduce the cultivation of an inland B-onion variety known as the Lanka B-onion. This follows a proposal made by the Galewela Provincial Secretary Wasantha Wanninayake. The Committee also decided to have B-onion cultivation carried out in three phases this year.