Quick Look

President Mahinda Rajapaksa waves at the crowd gathered at the Colombo District Dehiwala SLFP Balamandalaya meeting, organized by Colombo District candidate Dhanasiri Amaratunga at his home in Dehiwala yesterday. Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana and Johnston Fernando too participated. Picture by Sudath Silva

‘Tharunyata Hetak’ Chairman and Hambantota District UPFA candidate Namal Rajapaksa visited Anuradhapura and paid homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi recently. Here he offers a Cheevara Pooja at the Bodhi during his visit. Picture by Hidogama group corr

Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa called on Colombo Archbishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith at Archbishop’s House yesterday. Picture by Chaminda Hittatiya

Over 600 join UPFA

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Around 600 UNP and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress supporters including two UNP Municipal Councillors joined the United People's Freedom Alliance to support the Government's victory at the upcoming General Election. They obtained UPFA membership from UPFA General Secretary Minister Susil Premajayanth.

Buddhist talk

Ven. Ayagama Susila Thera will deliver a public Buddhist talk in English on "Significance of Dana" at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society at the Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya on Saturday (20) at 4 p.m.

Dhamma sermons and meditation

Ven. Galigamuwe Gnanadeepa Thera will conduct Dhamma sermons and a meditation program at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha on March 27 from 8.00 to 4.00 p.m.

Beginning of holy month

The Colombo Grand Mosque says that, at the conference of the learned Ulemas, Theologians, Katheebs and Trustees of Jummah Mosques, representatives of the All Ceylon Jemmiyathul Ulema, Sharia Council, Thakkiyas, Zavias, Anjuman Faiz-E-Reza (Memon Community), officials of the Muslim Religious Affairs Department held at the Madrasathul Hameedia Hall on March 16. It was decided to commence the Islamic month of RABI-UNIL-AKHIR, 1431, from Wednesday evening March 17.

Schols for Indian diaspora children

The Indian Government will offer Scholarships for Diaspora Children (SPDC) to assist children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in pursuing Undergraduate courses in higher and technical fields in India.

The Indian Overseas Affairs Ministry seeks application for the Scholarship Program for the academic year 2010-11. Under the program, 100 scholarships are offered for Undergraduate courses in disciplines including Engineering, Architecture, Technology, Humanities/Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management - BBA/BBM, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture/Animal Husbandry, Science, Law etc.

For information, websites www.edcil.co.in; and www. educationindia4u.nic.in

Medical centre at Kelaniya campus

A newly constructed two storeyed Medical Centre of the Kelaniya University will be opened by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya Prof. Sarath Amunugama today at 10.20 a.m.

Col Ratnayake granted bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne yesterday released retired Col. Kapila Ratnayake on bail in Rs 7,500 and a bond of Rs 50,000 with a surety.

Ratnayake was taken into custody by the CID along with General Sarath Fonseka from the latter's office in Colombo.

The CID conducting investigations into the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka said that the Col. Kapila Ratnayake was taken into custody for possession of several number plates in his vehicle.

Granting bail the Judge directed him to appear at the CID on every last Sunday of the month between 9 am and 12 noon. The Court also directed him to surrender his passport to court.

He was directed to appear in court again on June 2.

Jeyaraj's cut-outs removed

An organized gang has been involved in the removing of cut-outs erected by the people to commemorate the second death anniversary of Late minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.

According to his widow and Katana SLFP Chief Organizer Dr. Sudharshani Fernandopulle, cut-outs with the photo of slain Minister were on display throughout the Gampaha district to educate the public on the commemoration program. The second death anniversary falls on April 02. Dr. Fernandopulle said that she had received information that an organized gang is behind this incident. She said she has informed the security authorities about this gang.

AGM - Matara Convent - PPA (Colombo branch)

The Past Pupils' Association of the Convent of Mary Immaculate, Matara (Colombo branch) will hold its 37th Annual General Meeting on Saturday, March 27 at 12.00 noon at the Peach Valley Chinese Restaurant, No. 27, Flower Road, Colombo 07, followed by lunch.

New members will be enrolled on that day.

Maha Kumbabishekam

S. Duraisamy Maskeliya Group Corr

The Maha Kumbabishekam for the newly built Sri Sithy Vinayagar temple at CP/HZ/Queensland Tamil Vidyalaya, in Maskeliya Educational Zone, in Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat, in the Nuwara-eliya district will be held on Friday the 19th at 10.30 a.m.

This Hindu Temple is being built for the convenience of school going children and their parents residing around the Tamil Vidyalayam for worship and chanting of prayers.

Pinkama

A pinkama to invoke blessings on the President, Government, War Heroes and the people on the eve of the first anniversary of ending the war will be held at the Somawati Chetiya premises on May 8 beginning 7 p.m. under the guidance of Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera.

Inter-school debate

An inter-school debate organized by the Colombo Isipathana Vidyalaya Oratory and Debating society will be held at the school premises on March 20 and 21. Debating teams from 18 schools are billed to participate.

Technical sessions and AGM

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and General Treasury Public Finance Department's Additional Director General Ivan Tissera will address the Technical sessions of the Institute of Supply and Materials Management at the OPA Auditorium at Prof. Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 7 on March 20 at 2.00 p.m. The AGM will commence at 5.00 p.m.

Royal College to assist water project

In a bid to assist underprivileged schools, a series of projects has been organised by the Royal College UNESCO Association with the contribution of all students. The project is aimed at supplying drinking water and water for school based agrarian purposes at the Vidyadeepa College, in Halmillawe, Thambuththegama on March 19.