Quick Look

Public Help Centre closed on Christmas

The Public Assistance Centre at the Police Headquarters to meet Inspector General of Police will be closed on Christmas Day, the Police Department Public Relation Unit said.

Devans ’80 group meets

The annual get-together of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, Old Devans ‘80 Group, will be held under the patronage of its President Sujeewa Abeykoon at Delight Reception Hall on December 26 at 6.30 p.m.

Distribution of prizes to members’ children who excelled in studies, sports and several other events will be held.

Christmas Carol service

The Carol service by the Choir of St. Michael and All Angels, Polwatte, Colombo will be held on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m.

The service will conclude with the hymn O Come all ye Faithful with the blessing of the crib and the offering of gifts by the children (Bring, if possible, only books and items of stationery to give those in need and not toys).

ISMM diploma launch

The Institute of Supply and Materials Management will launch its on-line diploma in Purchasing and Materials Management today at the ISMM Auditorium in collaboration with the Distance Education Modernisation Program (DEMP) and the National Online Distance Service (NODES) under the patronage of the Higher Education Ministry.

American overstayer arrested

Police on Monday arrested an American national overstaying her visa at a place near the historic Navagamuwa Devalaya.

She was directed to the Kaduwela detention centre on the orders of the Magistrate. Meanwhile an eight-year-old child in Walasmulla was killed as a result of the gun with which she was playing misfired.

She mistakenly shot herself while playing with the locally made firearm belonging to her father.

CP

Buddhist talk

Asoka Mahinda Jayasinghe will deliver a Public Buddhist talk in English on ‘Meditating with Bliss’ at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on December 26, Saturday at 4.30 p.m. at Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Local Councils extended

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon has taken action to extend the term of office of the municipal councils, town councils and provincial councils until March 31, 2011. These were to expire in April, May and June respectively.

He had taken this measure with the powers vested in him under the Municipal Councils, Town Councils and Provincial Councils Ordinance.

Fine for attempted murder

Kapila Somaratne Panadura group correspondent

Panadura Provincial High Court Judge Malanee Gunaratne imposed a fine of Rs. 5000.00 and a two years imprisonment suspended for ten years on an accused who pleaded guilty to an attempted murder of a person by stabbing in Moratuwa.

The Judge also ordered the accused to pay Rs. 25,000 to the complainant.

HC visits Vavuniya

Canada’s High Commissioner Bruce Levy, accompanied by diplomats from the High Commission staff, paid a visit to some of the rehabilitation centres in Vavuniya yesterday, and commented: “You hear a lot of discussion about the rehabilitation situation, but you are able to get a more thorough understanding of the impact of various factors, including the rain, by actually visiting the sites.”

Landslide kills two, one injured

S.A.L. Niroshana

Two persons were killed and a third seriously injured in a landslide at Malawa, Kuruwita on Monday evening, police said.

The two persons killed were women and the person seriously injured was building a wall. The bodies were dug out of the earthslip about two hours after the tragedy, police said.

‘Christmas with Mobitel’

Christmas with Mobitel, a Christmas television special featuring top class entertainment will be screened over Rupavahini at 6.30 p.m. on Christmas eve followed by a repeat telecast on Channel Eye also on December 24 at 10.00 p.m. and on Christmas Day (25) at 8.00 p.m. on NTV. Christmas with Mobitel follows the tradition set by Christmas with the Stars which featured top local artistes involved in western music.

Among the male entertainers are Raj Senewiratne, Ronnie Leitch, Sohan Weerasinghe and from the Christmas Archives comes a surprise guest artiste whose identity must be guessed by you!...

Noeline, Corrinne, Erosha and Colombo’s newest singing sensation, Dillain J. completes the star studded line up for this year’s seasonal extravaganza.

Rural Bank, co-op shop opened

W.A.T.S. Wijesinghe Pothuwatawana group corr.

A Rural Bank and a Co-operative shop at the heart of Pallawa town in the Anamaduwa electorate was opened on December 19 Friday in a new two-storeyed building.

CCB promotes coconut cultivation

Bandula Gunasekara and T.K. Ariyadasa - Malimbada Group Corr.

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has launched a program to promote coconut cultivation in the Walawe area of the Mahaweli Division.

Under the program 1,200 acres in Chandrikawewa, Mayurapura, Murawesihena, Sooriyawewa and Kiriibbanwewa will be cultivated during the current Maha season. A subsidy of Rs. 16,000 will be issued to the cultivators for the planting of coconuts in one acre by the CCB.

Lightning damages

Nimal Wijayatunga - Eheliyagoda special corr.

A large number of electricity consumers in and around Eheliyagoda had to face a considerable loss due to burning of bulbs, TV sets and other electric utensils due to lightning tension occurred amidst heavy rains last week end.

SPC budget passed

Hemachandra Nanayakkara - Galle group correspondent

The Southern Provincial Council Budget for 2010 was passed by over two thirds majority.

The SPC received 26 votes for the budget and opposition members received 8 votes.

Boom in dairy industry

Raja Waidyasekera - Tissamaharama special corr.

The milk production in the Weeraketiya DS area in Hambantota has increased according to Meegasaara veterinary surgeon Thushari Weerakone. The milk production exceeds 12,000 litres per month. The milco purchases milk from the producers paying a fair reasonable price, she said.