In brief

Prof Malalasekara's 110th birth anniversary

The 110th birth anniversary of Professor G.P. Malalasekara will be commemorated by the World Fellowship of Buddhists Sri Lanka Centre at the BMICH on December 22.

Prof Malalasekara, one of the eminent oriental and Buddhist scholars of his times, worked to organize the unity of Buddhist nations especially to bring together the three sects Hinayana, Mahayana and Vaajirayana to form the World Fellowship of Buddhists.

The first congress of International Buddhists was held in the premises of the Sri Dalada Maligawa on May 25, 1950 with the participation of 129 foreign delegates from 39 countries including those of the west. His contribution to education, religion and the country will be remembered in the lectures of prominent scholars and others - Ven Prof. Dhammavihari Thera, Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Dr.W.G. Weeraratne.

Christmas carnival

Christmas Children's Carnival and the launch of Citizen's Charter will be held at the Chilaw town council playground with the participation of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa at 9 a.m. today.

The carnival and the launch of charter is organized by the Chilaw Municipal Council. Fisheries Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, Child Development and Women's Empowerment Minister Sumeda G. Jayasena, Public Estate Management and Development Minister Milroy Fernando, North-Western Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe, Chilaw Mayor Hilary Prasanna Fernando and several others will participate.

A meeting of the Sanghas that was called by the Sri Lanka Nidhahas Bikkhu Peramuna Branch of the Kalutara District, on a request made by Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to garner their support for the re-election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was held recently at Rankoth Viharaya, Panadura. Here the assembled Sangha, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, Ministers Prof. Peiris, Kumar Welgama and Rajitha Senaratne. Among those in attendance were Ven. Horane Pannasekera Thera, Anunayake of the Shyamopali Chapter of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya, Ven. Kumburugamuwe Wagira Thera, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sabaragamuwa, Ven. Vatinapaha Somananda Thera, Secretary, Sri Lanka Nishahas Bikkhu Peramuna, Ven. Matale Ariyawansa Thera, Presidential Advisor and Kahapola Sugatharatne Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Rankoth Viharaya.