Quick Look

Indian Foreign Secy in Sri Lanka tomorrow

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow on a three day visit on the invitation of the Sri Lankan Government.

Rao who served as Indian High Commissioner in Colombo from 2004 - 2006 will be visiting Sri Lanka for the first time after assuming the office of India's Foreign Secretary on August 1, 2009. She will call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama. She will also meet senior government personalities. Rao is also scheduled to inaugurate the English Langauge Training Centre in Peradeniya which has been established with Indian Government support.

Tharunyata Hetak Movement President Namal Rajapaksa presided over a certificates awarding ceremony of the English Course and Personality Development workshop conducted among the youth in the Hambantota district recently. Vocational Training Authority Chairman Daya Sandagiri, Advisor to the Minister Lionel Pinto, Professor Lakshman and Dr. Hansy of the Netherlands were also present.

Use water sparingly

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has appealed to consumers to use water sparingly to ensure that water service will reach consumers equally in all parts.

The NWSDB also urged the public to use alternative ways of procuring water in meeting their daily needs.

Police arrest illegal migrants

Shirley WIJESINGHE

A group of Sri Lankans suspected to be illegal immigrants were arrested by Batticaloa Police while they were trying to escape by boat. According to the Police Media sources, group comprised 20 Tamils and 4 Sinhalese from the areas of Udappu and Chilaw. A direction finding instrument, daily rations and several maps were also taken into police custody.

Couple gets RI for harassing teen

A custodian couple of a minor were each sentenced to two years' rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years by Kandy Provincial High Court Judge Preethi Padman Surasena when they pleaded guilty to the charge of harassing the child without providing access to schooling. SW

Summoning of Parliament

Parliament Secretary General informed that the Sixth Parliament that stands dissolved has been summoned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to meet on March 9 at 9.30 a.m. to communicate to Parliament that the President has declared a State of Emergency according to the powers vested in him by paragraph (4) (i) of the Article 155 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to approve the Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance.

Parliament Secretary General of requested all the Members of Parliament of the Sixth Parliament to be present at the Parliament Sitting.

Contact Assistant Directors (Administration), Janakantha Silva and S.D. Shantha Sam of the Table Office of Parliament on 011-2777549, 011-2777273, 0112777304, 0112777367 for information.

Meelad un Nabi celebrations

The Meelad un Nabi celebrations organized by the Sri Lanka Young Muslim Dawah Society will be held at the Society Secretariat, Sri Vipulasena Mawatha, Maradana, Colombo 10 on March 7. ITN Board of Director Hashim Omar will be the chief guest. Society President Farik Faris will preside.

Fund-raising jumble sale

The Animal Welfare and Protection Association (AWPA) will hold a fund-raising jumble sale on March 27 from 10.00 a.m to 3.00 p.m at YMBA Hall, No 17, Dhammarama Road (opposite Savoy Cinema), Wellawatte, Colombo 6. These funds will be utilized for the work of the AWPA - sterilizations and neutering of animals, immunizations etc.

Clean, usable items - clothes, sheets, children's clothing and toys, household items, ornaments can be sent to 14/1, De Fonseka Road, Colombo 5. 294, Park Road, Colombo 5 (between 10 am - 3 pm), 3, Jawatte Avenue, Colombo 5 (Global Fitness Centre), 107, Kadawatha Road, Dehiwala (between 10 am - noon) and 28, Dr E.A. Cooray Mawatha, Colombo 6.

Meeting

The Harispattuwa Balamandalaya meeting of the Sarath Amunugama Foundation will be held at Hedeniya Enrich Hotel tomorrow at 10.00 a.m.

The Gampaha District SLFP Muslim Women Wing meeting will be held at Ismail Hadjiar Park, Malwana today at 3.00 p.m. It will be held under the patronage of Mrs Pushpa Rajapaksa.

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister and UPFA Kalutara District candidate for the General Election Mahinda Samarasinghe handed over his declaration of assets to Kalutara District Secretary S. Hapuarachchi at the District Secretariat Wednesday.