Quick Look

President congratulates cricketers

President Mahinda Rajapaksa congratulated the Sri Lanka cricket team that won the triangular tri-series by defeating India at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium Dhaka, Bangladesh yesterday.

Thousands feared dead as 7.0 quake strikes Haiti

The strongest earthquake to hit Haiti in over a century rocked the Caribbean nation Tuesday, toppling buildings and triggering fears that thousands have been killed in a wave of destruction.

Some of the country's most venerable buildings, including Haiti's presidential palace, were destroyed by the late-afternoon, 7.0-magnitude quake. See page 10 for full story

It was a boy

Under the headline "Girl dies after falling from bus" in our page one story yesterday, the student who was killed in the accident in Akmeemana was a boy named Iresha Madusanka.

Motorcyclist killed in road mishap

A motorcyclist was killed when he lost control of the machine which toppled the road. The mishap occurred in Medawatte, in Ragala on Tuesday.

Police spokesman SSP I.M. Karunaratne said the motorcyclist was heading from Medawatte to Ragala. He lost control and toppled in the street. The injured motorcyclist died on admission to the Nuwara Eliya hospital. The deceased was identified as A.R. Chelvam, a resident of St. Leonard Estate, Ragala. Ragala police are investigating.

Two remanded in robbery case

Mahanama VITHANAGE Malwana group correspondent

Two suspects involved in the robbery of household items valued at Rs. 96,000 from a house at Nedungamuwa were arrested by Weliveriya Police.

The stolen goods were also recovered.

The robbery had been commited when the house owner was away.

The suspects produced before Gampaha Chief Magistrate Manjula Thilakaratne were remanded until January 18.

Sangha Conventions

The Sri Lanka Freedom Bhikkhu Organisation has organised a series of Sangha Conventions countrywide in support of the candidature of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming Presidential Election said its Secretary Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thera. Program is as follows.

January 15 at 3 p.m. at Matale Town Hall and Uyanwatta Esplanade Matara. January 16 at 2 p.m. Galle playground pavilion and 3 p.m. Tangalle Town Hall January 17 at 3.30 p.m.at Kegalle Postal Complex Auditorium January 19 at 2 p.m. - Ratnapura Town Hall and January 20 at 3 p.m. Homagama town.

Unity service

The Episcopal Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Roman Catholic Church with the churches of the National Christian Council has organised a united act of worship on Sunday January 17 at the church of St. Francis de Sales, Dalugama, Kelaniya.

Seminar

Wayamba Engineering Diplomates' Association with the assistance of the Rotary Club of Kurunegala will conduct a half-day seminar on "Good Grooming for Professional Appearance" on January 17 at Hotel Seasons, Lake Round, Kurunegala from 9.00 a.m. Beautician Nayana Karunarathne will conduct this program.

AGM

The 11th annual general meeting and the get-together of the Ampitiya Government Pensioners' Welfare Society will be held on January 17 at 9.00 am at the Hotel Suranga, Ampitiya.

Foundation stone laying

The foundation stone for a two storeyed building to build a bhikkhu elders home will be laid by All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Chairman Jagath Sumathipala at Keebiela Baddegama on January 17 at 2.30 p.m.

Free sterilisation clinic

The Animal Welfare and Protection Association will conduct a free sterilising/neutering clinic at 'Lion's City' Seeduwa (on January 23 from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon on a first come first served basis. Dogs and cats (Male and female) four to six months and over can be neutered and sterilised.

The animals must not be given any food and water for 12 hours prior to the operation and must not be sick. Cats should be brought in a box or cage or used rice bag and dogs on a chain.

New swimming pool for Dharmaraja

The new swimming pool complex of Dharmaraja College, Kandy an ambitious project completed by the Old Boys' Union will be opened on January 17.

The project cost over Rs. 35 million, of which Rs. 20 million was contributed by the Old Boys, parents and present boys while Rs.15 million was provided by the Government. E.W. Balasooriya, the 86 year Rajan whose brainchild this project was, contributed Rs 12 million, initially donating Rs 6 million to start the work.

Youth program

The North - South Dialogue Desk of Jesuit Lanka Centre for Social Concern is organizing a program for Youth on January 16, on the current situation of our country and the sharing of the stories of our journeys to Jaffna for University students and those who are in leadership positions in schools in Sinhala medium.

The guest speaker will be Human Rights Lawyer S.G. Punchihewa. The program will be from 8.30 a.m to 12.30 p.m with lunch at 31, Nirmala, Clifford Place, Colombo 4, lane next to Studio Lekha or New Chariot outlet - close to Bambalapitiya Flats.

Leukemia patient appeals for help

Two-year old Jerome Cooray of No. 16/4, Constantine Lane, Koralawella, Moratuwa is suffering from positive J. M. L. (Juvenile Myelo Monocytic Leukemia). This is a very rare disease and doctors say that bone marrow transplant will be the only successful treatment for this condition. Facilities for bone morrow transplant are not available in Sri Lanka. It has to be performed in Singapore says the child's father N. D. L. Cooray who requests for public assistance since he has no permanent employment. The surgery will cost $ 200,000. The father could be contacted on 077-2744944. www.jeromenehan.com Remittances can be made to National Savings Bank, Moratuwa. Account number: 015111003545