Quick Look

 Japan gives Rs 2,000 m

Northern spring for Jaffna health sector

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva will launch the Northern State Hospital Development program at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital today. The total cost of the project is Rs 2,000 million.

The Japanese Government has provided Rs.2000 million to the Sri Lankan Government to improve the central functions of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital under this project. The project will be completed before the end of 2010. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will fund the project.

India to carve new southern state

India's government will carve a new state out of southern Andhra Pradesh - base for several major multinational corporations' operations - after violent protests, a move likely to fuel more statehood demands.

Regular protests demanding the new "Telangana" state, which would take 10 out of 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh, have shut down businesses in Hyderabad, the main city and home to firms like Microsoft, Google and Mahindra Satyam.

No AH1N1 bar for O/L candidates

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

There is no restriction for students suffering from AH1N1 to sit the G.C.E Ordinary Level Examination this year, Education Ministry sources told the Daily News.

The Education Ministry rejected rumours that candidates suffering from AH1N1 will not be allowed to sit the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination.

The Education Ministry has further emphasized that all candidates have the rights to sit the Examination if they are physically fit.

However Health Ministry sources said that it is advisable to take precautionary measures such as using masks if any candidate has doubt. The G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination will be held from December 11 to 22 at 3,215 examination centres throughout the country.

Death from AH1N1

The third AH1N1 victim from Matara hospital was reported yesterday with the death of a patient transferred from Tangalle hospital with symptoms of fever. The victim is identified as Wijayamunige Yasawathee (39), a mother of three from Angunukolapalassa.

Water cut in Colombo

Water supply to Maligawatte, Mahawatte, Baseline Road, Grandpass, Stace Road, Bloemendhal, Kotahena, Mattakkuliya, Mutuwal, Thotalanga and Aluthmawatha will be interrupted from 11 p.m. on December 11 and 3 p.m on December 12.

Public lecture

The Royal Asiatic Society hosts a lecture by Major-General Shavendra Silva on "The Battle of Nandikadal - Strategy and Tactics" at 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 17 at the Mahaveli Centre at 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Public forum

An open public forum (sanvada) has been organized by The Pathfinder Foundation on December 17 from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. The target audience of this seminar includes politicians, especially economic advisers to the political parties involved in the preparation of election manifestos for the presidential and parliamentary elections. The theme of the public forum is "Unleashing the People's Potential: What should be done?".

Yuletide extravaganza

'With Christmas in Your Hearts', a Yuletide extravaganza organized by the Burgher Association will be held at the CR and FC grounds, Colombo 7 on December 13 from 6.00 p.m.

A nativity play depicting the birth of Christ will be staged while Christmas carols will be sung by the St. Thomas' Kotte Youth Choir. This would be followed by a Christmas fellowship with a live band and DJ in attendance, plus guest star appearances. Proceeds of this fund-raising event will be utilized for the establishment of the proposed Burgher Association English language school to be launched in the near future.

Law Journal

The BASL Law Journal 2009 Vol. XV will be launched on Saturday, December 19 at 10 a.m. at the BASL Auditorium.

The first copy will be handed to Chief Justice Asoka de Silva. This issue is dedicated to the former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka PC Late Deshamanya H. L. de Silva.

Prayers

Prayers and religious lectures will commence on Sunday, December 13 with Rathibathul Jalaliya by Moulavi A. B. M. Mubarak (Falahi) and Y. M. Rafi. It will be conducted after Magrib prayers and it continue till Isha prayers. A religious lecture will also be conducted at the Nawala Jummah Mosque.

Lecture

Director General of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management Charles Holden who will be visiting Sri Lanka this month will deliver a lecture on "The Next Ten Years - A Global Perspective" at the OPA Auditorium at 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo 07 on Tuesday December 15 from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. The lecture is organized by the Institute of Supply and Materials Management.

Service

An extraordinary service of Christmas Praise and Worship' will be held on December 13, Sunday at 10.30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Colombo 7. (Adjoining BMICH)

Get-together

The Old Boys Association of Asoka Vidyalaya, Colombo 10 will conduct the Old Asokians get-to-gether at the Capital Mall, Thalawathugoda from 6.30 p.m. onwards on December 11. For details contact Namal on 0777743646

Christmas Party

The Sri Lanka Ex-Air Force Logistics Association annual get-together and Christmas party will be held on December 27 Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Sri Lanka Air Force Boat Club, Katunayake. All members and Non members (All trades under the Directorate of Logistics Branch) are invited. For details contact A. S. K. Seneviratne on Te. No. 0112888919.

Wesley Carols

Wesley College, Colombo holds its Carol service on December 13 at 5.00 pm at the college main hall. College students and old boys will join in the carol service as supervised by Principal Dr Shanthi McLelland and Vice Principal Rev Shehan Fernando.

Kingswood Christmas Party

The traditional Christmas gathering of the Kingswood Union Colombo Branch will be held on December 12 at 7 p.m.

Details and tickets can be obtained from committee members.

Death of T. J. Mahendran (Shaffi)

The death occurred of T. J. Mahendran (Shaffi) a long-standing employee attached to Thinakaran Editorial, yesterday. He was 53. Mahendran, a resident of Wolfendhal Street, Colombo joined the Lake House in 1977 and had served the company for well over 32 years. His funeral took place yesterday amidst a large gathering of mourners.

He leaves his wife and two children.

Water project

Jayaweera SUGATHAPALA Attanagalla special corr.

Remote areas in Oyabada and Bemmulla in the Attanagalla electorate will be provided pipe-borne water. Rs 8 million has been set aside for this.

The projects will be launched in Thihariya, Kurunduwatta, Isipathanarama Mawatha, Sapugastenna and Katuwasgoda.

Vasantha Udanaya

Uva Province Governor C. Nanda Mathew presided over a meeting in connection with the Vasantha Udanaya carnival to be held at Bandarawela town during the April season.

This carnival has been planned to coincide with the Nuwara-Eliya holiday season next April. This discussion took place at the Governor's Office on December 3 and representatives of Tri-Forces, Police, government officers and members of local bodies were present.

The Governor gave instructions to develop the city as a green city. At this discussion, attention was also paid to ensure proper traffic arrangements in the city. A decision was taken to apply one single colour of painting on all buildings in the town.

Milk chilling centre

A milk chilling centre was inaugurated at Mahaoya on the Ampara-Mahiyanganaya road recently by Livestock Development Minister C.B. Ratnayaka.

Help save his life

Indika Nishantha Atapattu of 54, "Priyamalee", Dedduwala, Nakulugamuwa is suffering from A.M.L. (blood cancer) and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Chennai India in preparation for a bone marrow transplant on the recommendation of Doctors. The entire process is estimated to cost nearly Rs. two million.

Indika's mother, D. L. W. Dissanayake says she is unable to bear the expenditure due to her present plight. She has sold all her properties at her disposal to meet the current expenditure involved in treating her son. She has requested public assistance to enable her son to undergo the surgery and save his life. All contributions should be remitted to account number 013-2-001-008881 at the People's Bank Galle branch or account number 08602 0080287 at the Hatton National Bank, Tangalle Branch.

NIFNE celebrates anniversary

The National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering (NIFNE) also known as the Sagara Vishwa Vidyalaya , will celebrate 10th anniversary. The Pirith Chanting will be held on December 17 at the NIFNE Mattakkuliya premises. The alms-giving will be held on the following day.

In early 2010, the Sagara Vishwa Vidyalaya will conduct an exhibition and a ceremony, related to the theme "Building a glorious and prosperous Sri Lanka through capacity enhancement in ocean sciences".

Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena opened a new SLFP party office at Barber Street, Kotahena, Colombo 13 last week. Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, WPC member Nawzer Fowzie and ITN Director Hasim Omar were also present. Picture A. Maduraveeran