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Heavy fines for slaughtering deer

W.C.B.Fernando - Chilaw Corr

Nochchiyagama Magistrate Vasantha de Alwis imposed twenty years suspended jail sentence in addition to a prison term of one year as well as fines of Rs. 50,000 on two suspects for the slaughter of a deer. They were produced in Court by the Forest Guard, Wilpattu-Kalaoya S. Ratnayaka with the head of a slain deer, twenty kilograms of venison and a deer skin.

Gale damages nearly 100 houses

Gale force winds which lashed across Koralawella, Moratuwa and several areas in Sarikkamulla, Panadura on Friday night damaged nearly 100 houses.

Ports Authority: Talks with TUs fail

Talks between the Trade Unions in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) who are on a work-to-rule action and Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa ended in failure. During the four-hour long discussion the TUs rejected two proposals put forward by the Minister to solve the wages issue. One was a proposal to increase the basic wage by Rs. 500 and a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 in addition. The other was to pay a monthly allowance of Rs. 4,000. Both proposals were unjustly rejected, said a press release issued by the SLPA. Ports Development Minister Dilan Perera, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama and senior SLPA officials also participated at the discussion.

Religious ceremony

A Sanghika Dhana to mark the completion of four years in office of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be held on November 18 at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharasthanaya. It has been organised by the Minister of Labour and Kelaniya SLFP organiser Mervyn Silva.

Ashirvada Sadaham Yatra to bless President

A peace journey under the title Thunhela Ashirwada Sadaham Yathrawa to invoke blessings and seek protection on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and members of tri-forces and police will commence at Mulkirigala Rajamaha Viharasthanaya on November 14 and will conclude at Ratnapura Maha Saman Devalaya on November 17.

This journey will cover areas such as Matara, Weligama, Galle, Bentota, Moratuwa, Maharagama, Homagama, Padukka, Avissavella, Eheliyagoda and Ratnapura.

Special poojas will be held at Matara Bodhiya, Kalutara Bodhiya, Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya along the route.

Bakeer Markar memorial lecture

The 12th Bakeer Markar Memorial Lecture on ‘Challenges in Strengthening Sri Lankan Identity’, conducted by the Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity will be delivered by Dr. Dayan Jayathilake on November 17 (Tuesday), at Mahaweli Centre Auditorium, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7 at 4.00 pm. Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku will preside.

Essential Services

The Government declared that Petroleum, Water Supply, Port, and Electricity services as ‘Essential Services’ with effect from midnight yesterday, the Government Information Department quoting Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga said. The Gazette Notification to this effect was to be released by midnight yesterday.

Boomtime for fishermen

Christie Fernando Chilaw special corr.

It’s boomtime for fishermen in and around Chilaw with the end of the South West monsoon season.

The fishermen are hauling bountiful harvests of all varieties of fish such as Thora, Balaya, Kelawalla and Thalapath in addition to prawns, crab and cuttle fish.

Watchers electrocuted

Two watchers .K. Piyadasa, and Handunye Piyadasa were electrocuted at a gem pit at Mada Junction in Marapona on Saturday when they got entangled with live electric wires.