Quick Look

Revamping Analyst's Dept

The Justice Minister of the Netherlands has agreed to extend their maximum support to revamp the 105 years old Government Analyst's Department of Sri Lanka.

This was the outcome of a meeting held recently at Justice Ministry in the Hague between Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda and Netherlands Justice Minister E.M.H. Hirsch Ballin.

This meeting was part of an initiative to establish close cooperation between the two countries in the spheres of justice and the judiciary and to develop a medium and long-term strategy in this regard. During this meeting the two ministers discussed the possibility of establishing a framework for cooperation between the two countries which would include capacity-building and training for judges, prosecutors, prison officials, etc.

After a detailed discussion the Justice Minister of The Netherlands has officially agreed to send a special team to do an assessment on the Government Analyst's Department of Sri Lanka before the end of December this year.

The Government Analyst's Department was established in 1904 and is the laboratory of the central government. The department consists of two divisions, the Food Science and the Forensic Science.

Nalanda Guru Upahara

The Nalanda Junior Old Boys' Association will conduct the annual Nalanda Guru Upahara at the Nalanda College premises on October 11.

The mentors who mould every child's future are their teachers. As Sri Lankan heritage goes, reverence to our teachers is a time honoured tradition observed by all.

It is with this noble objective that the Nalanda Junior Old Boys' Association organizes Nalanda Guru Upahara 2009 to felicitate teachers who have taught at Nalanda College for generations.

Annual Perahera

The Annual Perahera of the historic Dalukgolla Raja Maha Viharaya, Ampitiya, Kandy will be held on October 10 under the auspices of Viharadhipathi and Udunuwara and Udapalatha Chief Sanganayake Ven. Etipola Buddharakkitha Thera.

Sale of Poppy flowers

The Sri Lanka Naval Association has organised a sale of Poppy flowers. Sale of flags will be continued in Colombo on October 9, 14, 16 and 18 and at Galle, Negombo and Kandy for a week beginning October 23, October 27 and October 30.

Help save this mother

R. K. Sriyani a mother of two of No. 226, Morayaya North, Wekandawala, Weeraketiya is suffering from acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Consultant Oncologist Dr. Upul Ekanayake who is treating her has recommended a bone marrow transplant to save her life. The surgery is estimated to cost Rs. 5.5 million.

Sriyani’s husband W. A. Weerasena says he has collected Rs. 1.2 million towards the surgery by selling a property and requests philanthropists and the public to assist his wife’s cause by sending whatever financial contributions possible to help find the balance needed to expedite the surgery and save his wife’s life. All contributions should be remitted to account number 9508654 at the Bank of Ceylon Weeraketiya branch. For information contact 0473486662, 0473471710 or 071-8035695.

Water interruption

Water supply from the Ambatale water purification plant will be suspended to the following areas on October 11, Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on account of an interruption of electricity to facilitate CEB maintenance work.

Areas affected will be Colombo MC area, Peliyagoda UC area, Wattala Mabole UC, Jaela UC and Pradeshiya Sabha area, Kelaniya PS area, Wattala PS area, Mahara PS area, Dompe PS area, Biyagama PS area, Biyagama EPZ, Dekatana, Malwana, Kesbewa UC area, Boralesgamuwa UC area, Maharagama UC area, Kotte MC area, Kolonnawa MC area, Kotikawatte and Mulleriyawa PS areas, Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia MC area, Moratuwa MC area, Kaldemulla, Soysapura and Telawala and Battaramulla, Hokandara and Malabe in the Kaduwela PS area.

Kottawa police station opening

Newly built Kottawa Police Station will be opened today at 12.45 p.m. by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka on an Invitation by Urban and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardana. Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne will be the guest of honour.

Bus topples injuring 14including students

Indika POLKOTUWA and Asela KURULUWANSA

Fourteen persons including six students were injured and admitted to the Jambugahapitiya Hospital when a private bus from Jambugahapitiya to Kandy toppled on the road at Paranagama, Girakaduwa yesterday morning.

Katugastota Police said the accident had occurred due to the failure of the brake system.

Three die in bus crash

Shirley WIJESI NGHE

Three persons died when a private intercity express bus bound to Deniyaya from Colombo and a CTB bus bound to Colombo from Galle collided head on at Halella, Kosgoda at 12.25 am yesterday, Police said.

The dead were identified as private bus driver P.H. Chandrasiri, Pradeep Chandana Gunasinghe and a commuter of the same private bus. Kosgoda Police is conducting further inquiries under the direction of SSP Amarasinghe of Elpitiya Police Division.

Emergency passed

The motion to extend the Emergency was passed in Parliament by a majority of 70 votes with 82 voting for an 12 against yesterday.

The JHU, NFF and CWC voted with the Government while TNA voted against. The JVP was absent at the time of voting. The UNP abstained from voting.

Planter caught poaching

An estate superintendent in Pussellawa and one of his accomplices, said to be a businessman, were caught red handed by the Pussellawa Police while they were engaged in illicit poaching of wild animals in the plantation area recently. Police also took a carcass of a wild boar and a firearm into custody from their possession.

Two drown in river-bed

Ratnapura group corr.

A man who had gone down to the gem-bed below in the Kaluganga river at Kahangama, Ratnapura to collect ‘gem-veins’ died by drowning recently. The gemming had been done near the Kahangama river-crossing, Ratnapura Police said.

About three weeks ago another man who had gone to the same river-bed to collect gem-veins also drowned.

Nipuna Prathiba tomorrow Nipuna Prathiba tomorrow

Nipuna Prathiba 4, an evening of music and dance, by the students of Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the BMICH.

Prof. Sanath Nandasiri will be the chief guest and Bank of Ceylon, Nugegoda Senior Manager Chaminda Welagedara the guest of honour.

Meditation program

A meditation program for health with guided commentaries will be held tomorrow at 5.30 p.m. at the 'Harmony Hall', 55, Peters Lane, Dehiwela.

The highlight of this program is a lecture on 'Stress Related Medical Disorders" by Dr. P. Ketheeswaranathan.

The program which is one of the monthly Health programs is organised by the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres, Sri Lanka. Admission is free.

Blood donation in Dehiwala

A blood donation campaign organised by the Dehiwala congregation of the Christian reformed church of Sri Lanka will be held at Christian Reformed Church, 33, Station Road, Dehiwala tomorrow from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.

The blood collected on this day will be taken to the Cancer Hospital Maharagama. Cancer Hospital Blood Bank medical staff will be present to test and collect the blood.

Mahapola in Beliatte

The 264th Mahapola will be held at Ruhunu Vijayaba Vidyalaya, Beliatte from October 14 to 18.

The Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Ministry has taken initiatives to conduct the Mahapola again.

Service cancelled

The 'Praise and Worship' conducted every second Sunday of the month at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 will not be held this Sunday, (October 11).

Prayer meeting to bless country

The Colombo Mutwal Mizbah Church will hold a holy prayer meeting of Jesus Christ to invoke blessings on the country and President Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 9 to 11 at Hatton Shakthi Hall. It will be conducted by Rev. J.J. Sarangappany, Chief Priest of the Colombo Mutwal Mizbah Church.

Housing projects

The Rothschild and Helboda Plantation housing projects built by NHDA will be opened by Plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratne today.

A lush vegetable cultivation in plots prepared and maintained on the second floor garden of the Kotte Parliamentary Complex alongside flower-beds. Prominent among them are cabbage, tomato and bitter gourd. Authorities said only natural fertilizer is used for cultivation.