Quick Look

Senior Counsel M.R.K.S. Suresh Chandra took oaths as a Judge of the Supreme Court in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga was also present.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa re-appointed Ajith Nivard Cabraal as Central Bank Governor at Temple Trees yesterday. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga was also present. Picture by Chandana Perera

With the dawn of peace Kilinochchi which was once the hub of terrorist activity is undergoing rapid transformation opening up opportunities for youth whose future was robbed off them by terrorists. Here MP Namal Rajapaksa sharing a light moment with some of the recruits of the first vocational training centre to be opened in Kilinochchi. With him are Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and MP Dilum Amunugama. Picture by Sudath Nishantha

Minister finds neglected centre

Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando who inspected the Special Economic Centre, Chilaw found that it had been neglected and the fish sales outlets were closed and the rice mill at Pannegamuwa serving the centre too closed for many months, the Ministry said in a press release yesterday.

Spectator nabbed with narcotic drug

Indika POLKOTUWA

A spectator at the Sri Lanka-Pakistan cricket encounter at the Dambulla stadium who had a vial containing an unidentified narcotic drug in powder form was arrested on suspicion by the Dambulla Police recently. Police said the mere application of the drug on a person's mouth gives a higher kick than heroin and other drugs.It is suspected to be of Indian origin. A sample of the drug has been sent to the Government analyst to establish its identity.

Diplomas in Psychology

The Institute of Professional Psychologists Sri Lanka branch at 188, Rajasinghe Mawatha, Borupana, Ratmalana will inaugurate the Diploma in Psychology and the Diploma in Counselling Psychology in Sri Lanka shortly.

Lecturer and Consultant in Psychology W. K. D. Weliwita will be the main resource person in the Diploma in Psychology. Prof. Erantha de Mel will conduct the Diploma in Counselling Psychology. The programs will be held on weekends for six months from June 26.

Demonstrators request lawyers not to appear

S.A.L. Niroshana Ratnapura Spl Corr

A demonstration requesting lawyers not to appear for the two suspects of the rape and murder case, with more than a 1,000 residents of the locality lining up along the road was seen yesterday morning near the Pelmadulla Magistrate Court.

Two young men were handed over to the police by residents in connection with the rape and murder of Renuka Atapattu (29).

Her corpse was found in a waterway last Tuesday and the residents had caught two suspects and handed them over to police. The residents of Pelmadulla and nearby villages joined the demonstration requesting lawyers not to appear for the two suspects.

Heroin on wheels

Mahanama VITHANAGE Malwana group correspondent

A woman transporting heroin in a three-wheeler and the driver were arrested by Sapugaskanda Police after giving chase to the vehicle on the Kiribathgoda-Makola road.

Police found two grams and 400 Milligrams of heroin. The suspects, residents of Colombo 12 and Wellampitiya, produced before Gampaha chief magistrate Mohamed Mekie, were remanded.

Six member robber gang nabbed

Matara roving corr.

A six member robber gang alleged to have been involved in robberies and burglaries in the Matara area were arrested by Weligama police. When the arrest was made there were a T56 gun and live ammunition in their possession.

The suspects have revealed a number of thefts and robberies committed by them. The suspects are residents of Matara and Galle.

Police also took a motorcycle and a three-wheeler alleged to have been used by the suspects into custody.

HQI Weligama Mahesh Kumara is carrying out investigations.

Friday's cases listed for Monday

The cases listed for today in the Supreme Court will be called on Monday (June 21), Supreme Court Registrar M.M. Jayasekera said.

Ceremony to fete ex-Vice Principal

A ceremony to felicitate G.R.M. Bandara, who retired as Vice Principal of Thurstan College, will be held at Fingara Town and Country Club "Araliya Hall" Colombo 7 on June 19 from 7 pm. The ceremony is organised by the Thurstan College Old Boys Union.

Plant show

The super flora plant exhibition and sale of plant will be held at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo from June 18 to 20.

A variety of imported plants will be on sale.

Get-together

The 13th annual get-together of Past Pupils Fellowship (1936-1969 Group) of Methodist High School Moratumulla, Moratuwa will he held at the Golden Carriage Hotel, Holy Cross Avenue Uyana Moratuwa June 20 at 9.00 a.m.

Scouts meet

The 10th Annual General Meeting and Association of Top Achiever Scouts gathering of the Scouts Guilds 2010 organised by the Queen's and President's Scout Guild will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort, 275/74, Prof. Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Highways Ministry Secretary Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda will be the chief guest.

Desiccated coconut industry in crisis, say workers

Ariyapala WANSATHILAKA Kurunegala Central special corr.

The Coconut Development Board should immediately come to the rescue of nearly 20,000 workers attached to Desiccated Coconut Mills whose jobs are threatened by the crisis facing the desiccated coconut industry, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka Desiccated Coconut Millers Association said.

He said prior to the introduction of the open economic policies the coconut industry was the second largest foreign exchange earner in the country.

Blood donation campaign

The Colombo branch of the Old Boy’s Association of Rahula College, Matara will conduct a blood donation program on the Poson Full Moon Day, which falls on June 25 at the premises of Sadisma Hospital, Malabe.

The blood donation program which starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. is aimed at providing blood to the blood bank of the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama.

Blood donation

A blood donation campaign organised by Udeshi City, Kiribathgoda Chairman and Board of Directors will be held at Udeshi City Shopping Complex, 94, Makola Road, Kiribathgoda on June 20 from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Mosquito breeding drain

Badulla South group corr

The drain adjoining the boundary wall of the Excise office, Mailagastenna, Badulla is a mosquito breeding place which can’t be seen clearly due to the depth of the drain.

Residents appeal to the authorities to end this mosquito menace by clearing the drain.

Phone outlet burgled

Siri WAWWAGE Matara roving

A mobile phone sales outlet at the Matara main bus stand terminal building was burgled by thieves Tuesday night.

They had stolen goods worth Rs. 160,000. Among the goods stolen were eightmobile phones given for repair and 390 batteries.