Quick Look

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne awarding Mahapola Scholarships to students. Ministers S. B. Dissanayake and Johnston Fernandoare are also in the picture.

Speed fiend kills young boy

Richmond Wijesekera

Bentota Group Correspondent

A 10 year Grade 5 student of Kalyanatissa KV, Batapola in Ambalangoda Education Zone, was killed on the spot by a speeding lorry at Sadamulla, Batapola. He was on his way to attend a Bodhi Pooja in a nearby temple. The student was identified as Osan Pasindu of Batapola. The lorry was speeding towards Elpitiya from Galle.

Villagers had set fire to the lorry and assaulted the driver for reckless driving.

He was taken into custody by the Meetiyagoda Police.

Orphaned toddler dies

W. C. B. Fernando, Puttalam group corr.

The Chilaw police are investigating into a sudden death of an eighteen month old baby girl retained in an orphanage in Thambagalla, Madampe on July 2. The girl Michini Peris had suddenly become ill and was admitted to the Chilaw hospital where she died.

Historical place in a state of neglect

A. A. L. Dias Matale district group corr.

Debawa Tampita Vihara in Kandapalla Korale in Matale district a dating back to the Kandyan period is in a state of neglect.

The Archaeological Department undertook some conservation activities but the work has not been satisfactory, said the public. The murals of this vihara have worn out while the roof is also decaying.

A Buddha statue made of sandlewood at the beginning of the Vihara is still visible. According to the legends this vihara was built by a provincial ruler. Villagers urge the authorities to take immediate action to conserve this historical religious place.

Galle-Matara railway closed from August 1

Shirley Wijesinghe

The railway track from Galle to Matara will be closed from August 1 for four months for its upgrading.

A Sri Lanka Railway official told the Daily News that a combined bus service will be conducted between Galle and Matara during this period. The Department expects to increase the running speed of trains up to 100 kilometres per hour after the track is upgraded, he added.

The railway track from Galle to Kalutara will be upgraded at the next stage which will be followed by the Kalutara to Maradana railway track. Foreign funds have been provided to upgrade activities.

Faculty reopening

Dean of the Ocean Faculty of the Ruhuna University Dr. Thilak Gamage said the faculty will re-open today (05). The university was closed due to unrest during the last month.

Book launch

The Society of Structural Engineers, Sri Lanka will launch a book titled “Guidelines For Buildings At Risk From Natural Disasters.” The book has also been translated into Sinhala and Tamil. This book together with a publication titled “Tsunami 2004 - Sri Lankan Experience” will be launched at a function to be held today at Cinnamon Lakeside to celebrate the incorporation of the Society.

War heroes tennis competition

Disabled war heroes wheel-chair Tennis Competition will the held from 8 a.m. on July 05, 06, 07 - 2010 at Sri Lanka Tennis Headquarters Colombo.

Prize giving

The Annual Prize giving of the Republican International School will take place at the Nuwara Eliya Town Hall Today.

Dr. Deniel Seevaratnam will be the Chief Guest.

The Republican School won many prizes recently at the All Ceylon International Schools Association held at the Bishops College Hall recently.

Mahinda college media circle meeting

A special meeting of Mahinda College Galle Old Boys Media Circle will be held on July 6 at 6 p.m. at SS Printers Maradana. The organizing committee invite all Mahindians who in electronic and print media to participate.

Action on quality concern matters in construction industry

Shirley Wijesinghe

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa directed the Institute of Construction and Development to mediate in quality concern matters in raw materials presently used in the construction industry.

Minister Weerawansa added that some defects were recently experienced by the State as well as private sector in the constructions handed over by the contractors.

The Minister gave these instructions at a meeting he had with the Director Board of ICTA recently. At present, no person takes responsibility for any post -construction defects after the payment is made. Therefore it is essential for some one to take responsibility for such defects, he added.

The Minister also discused matters related to issuing an internationally recognized identity card to the technicians attached to the construction sector.

He instructed ICTA to work out a system to issue identity cards for all technicians in the country.

Death of DA Punchihetti

A prominent personality in Sri Lanka's left movement and a veteran trade union activist D.A. Punchihetti passed away on Friday at the age of 85.

He served as a soldier in the British Royal Army's Artillery Division and participated in attacks when the Japanese fighter planes bombed Trincomalee. However, he was taken in to custody by the Army later in his career on charges that he attempted sow seeds of his left wing political ideologies within the Army.

He was a member of the Communist Party and Deputy Secretary of the Lanka Trade Union Federation. He joined the Independent Trade Union led by Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and served as a General Secretary to the union.

The cremation of D.A. Punchihetti will be taken place in Payagala at 2.00 p.m. today.

Musthafa condoles death of Moulavi

Environment Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapha expressed his deepest condolence of the untimely death of Niyas Moulavi, who passed away during early hours of yesterday. The Deputy Minister stated that he could not envisage another religious persona emerging in the immediate future, who could effectively profile himself as a massive bridge between Muslims and other communities living in this country.

"Niyas Moulavi proved time and again that his personal wellbeing and safety is second tier to him when it comes to preserving national harmony and upholding communal conciliation," said a deeply moved Deputy Minister.