Quick Look

The annual prize distribution of St Lawrence College, Wellawatte was held at the school hall under First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s patronage recently. Here a prize winner receives her certificate from the First Lady as Principal Sister Marie Chandrika Perera looks on. Picture by Lalith Welivitigoda.

Pichchamal pooja

The annual pichchamal pooja organized by the Shanthi Padanama for the 21st time to invoke blessings on the country and its people will be held at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura today at 4 p.m. This will be followed by a pichchamal and pahan pooja at the Ruwanweli Seya at 7 p.m.

Seeks help

W.U. Somadasa, 49, of 662/6/J of Himbutuwelgoda, Kelaniya is suffering from a severe heart disease.

Dr Anidu Pathirana, Heart Specialist, National Hospital, Colombo has recommended and early coronary artery surgery to save his life. The surgery will cost Rs 470,000.

Somadasa a Nattamie at Pettah vegetable market is unemployed due to his illness and the cost is unaffordable.

Contributions can be remitted to Account No. 055-2-001-00101-49 of the People's Bank, Kelaniya Branch.

New Lanka Japan friendship society vice patron

The Lanka Japan Friendship Society elected Lalitha Rajapaksa as the Society's Vice patron following the demise of Dr P R Anthonis who held this position for many years.

Rajapaksa was the Society's First Woman President and served from 2004 to 2007 during which the Society celebrated 50 years.

Sandakada Pahana on stage

Veteran singer Sunil Edirisinghe's Sandakada Pahana Musical show will be staged again at 6.30 p.m. today at Ananda College Kularatne Hall.

The show is sponsored by Ananda College 81 group in aid of Ananda Dhamma school.

A popular musical group led by Susil Amarasinghe will accompany the musical extravaganza.

Bridge about to collapse

Badulla South group corr

The bridge at Malangamuwa near the Vidyadeepa Vidyalaya is on the verge of collapse as one side of it is eroded by rain.

Heavy traffic on this bridge is banned by the authorities but no step has been taken to renovate it. Residents urge the authorities to repair it as early as possible.

Everyone counts World Population Day theme

World Population Day tomorrow will be marked with a series of events including the main official function at the Sri Lanka Foundation. This year's theme is Everyone Counts.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry in a press release said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Maithripala Sirisena will participate in the function.

Professor Dr Carlo Fonseka, Dr S T Hettige and Dr A J P L Abeykoon will make presentations on related themes. Colombo University Arts Faculty Dean Prof Indralal de Silva's book Population of Sri Lanka: Increasing Fertility and Challenges for Development will be launched at the function, the release said.

The world population has reached seven billion and Sri Lanka's population has also increased to 20.6 million, the release said.

Moon sighting conference

A meeting will be held on July 12 immediately after Salath Ul Maghrib, at the Madrasathul Hameediah Hall. Colombo Grand Mosque, to determine the date to commence the Islamic month of Sha' Ban Hijri 1431 on the evidence of sighting the new moon in any part of Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Grand Mosque appealed to the Muslim public to look out for the New Moon of Sha'Ban Hijri 1431, immediately after Maghrib on July 12 and inform the Colombo Grand Mosque on 2390783, 2432110, 2434651, or 0777366099 with realiable witness, if the new moon is sighted.

Kandy gets tough on unroadworthy vehicles Indrani Toradeniya

Most vehicles entering the Kandy city are not roadworthy, Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne told the Daily News.

Legal action will be taken against all owners of such vehicles, he added.

Budget third reading passed

The Budget for 2010 was passed with a majority of 68 votes yesterday.

While 139 voted in favour, 71 voted against. UNP MP Abdul Cader voted with the Government. The UNP, DNA and TNA voted against.

Budget appreciable - Abdul Cader, MP

UNP MP Abdul Cader speaking in Parliament yesterday said that this budget is appreciable.

"I have to represent the people in Kandy. The UNP is cutting our neck. I am asked to come for a meeting on July 7 but they held the meeting on July 6. They are not allowing me to join the debate. It is not fair. It is my right," he said.