Quick Look

Parking slots for three-wheelers

Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said he will provide three-wheeler operators with parking space in every town.

The three-wheeler operators are inconvenienced in every town due to the absence of a permanent parking area, the Minister said.

He was addressing a group of trishaw owners and drivers at Maharagama recently.

Minister Gunawardena said he would relax the restrictions on two stroke three-wheelers and present to Parliament a program to maintain them in an eco-friendly manner.

“We also hope to grant them various concessions through State banks. They will get loans upto Rs. 200,000. They will also assured of a pension scheme through a special fund to be set up in the future. The new Parliament to be elected will definitely solve the problems faced by three-wheeler drivers.

This Parliament would also spearhead the development activities which were delayed for the past 30 years, the Minister said.

Avurudu Pola

The Avurudu Pola organized by the staff Guild of Wycherley International School, Colombo will be held on March 27 from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. at 232, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

There will be over 40 stalls with various items at bargain prices and games.

Two nabbed with giant turtle

Jaffna Special Corr

Two fishermen who hid a giant turtle measuring seven feet and weighing 155 kilos were produced before the Jaffna Magistrate.

The captured turtle had been brought to the Gurunagar jetty hidden in a boat. Police following a tip off found the turtle hidden in the bottom part of the a boat.

Capturing turtles is an offence. In Jaffna turtle flesh is a delicacy and sold at Rs. 1,000 a kilo.

Dharmacharya Exam

The Examinations Department has announced the acceptance of applications for Buddhist Dharmacharya Examination - 2009 (2010) to be held in June this year. The Department has already posted the applications to the Pirivenas/Dahampasalas which had applied for last year’s exam, Examinations Commissioner General Anura Edirisinghe said.

Any Dahampasals or heads of Pirivenas who have not received their applications so far may write to or call over at the department at Pelawatte, Battaramulla with details to obtain the same before March 26. Applications close on April 09.

Special prayer, meditation

A special prayer and meditation will be conducted in front of St. Anthony Holy Relic at St. Anthony’s church, Liyanagemulla, Seeduwa today from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. with the aim to invoke God’s blessings for the IDPs and their speedy resettlement including for peace, unity and reconciliation among all citizens according to SP Anthonymuthu, Coordinator of BI. Joseph Vaz Centre.

This program has been organized by the Blessed Joseph Vaz Centre, Yatiyantota in collaboration with Rev. Fr. Victor Jayaman, Parish Priest, Liyanagemulla with the participation of Legion of Mary, the Parish council of St. Mary’s Church, Yatiyantota and the Parish Priest of Yatiyantota Rev. Fr. K. Deveraj, Parish Priest of St. Sebastian’s Church, Bulathkohupitiya Rev. Fr. Sathes Savarimuthu.

Symposium

A symposium on the election manifestos of the UPFA and UNP will be held on March 24, 2010 at 4 p.m. at the Mahaweli Centre, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Applications for Hindu Dharmacharya Exam

The Examinations Department has called for applications for Hindu Dharmacharya Exam for 2008/2009 (2010) prospective applicants can obtain applications for the exam through the heads of Hindu Religious Schools by calling over at the Examinations Department, Pelawatte, Battaramulla before April 01.

Any heads of Hindu Religious Schools who have not received their applications may obtain same by calling over at the Examinations Department during official hours.

100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day

The National Workers Congress in collaboration with the Women’s Council of the National Workers Congress will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day on Sunday March 28, at the BMICH.

The theme of the Meeting is “Decent Work, Decent Life for Women”. There will be 400 working women representing all economic sectors participating in this event. The medium of language will be Sinhala, and simultaneous in interpretation will be provided.

Money from leaves

Mohamed Maharoof Kurunegala South Group Corr.

Mukunuwenna and Gotukola have become a money spinner in the Kurunegala District, specially in Bingiriya, Kuliyapitiya, Panduwasnuwara and Kuruengala divisional secretariat areas. A number of unemployed youths have taken to cultivate Mukunuwenna and Gotukola. A bundle of Mukunuwenna or Gotukola fetches Rs. 10 in the market.

Daily News Buddha Pradeepa 2010

The closing date for articles for the Daily News Buddha Pradeepa 2010 Annual published by ANCL has been extended to March 30. Articles that are not selected for the Annual will be considered for Buddhist Spectrum pages. Please send your articles (confined to 800 words) to:

Daily News Buddha Pradeepa 2010, 35, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10. Email: [email protected].