Quick Look

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday planted an ‘Ashoka’ sapling at President’s House Kandy compound to mark the Ayurveda Week – August 1 to 7. Indigenous Medicine Minister Piyasena Gamage, Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake, Indigenous Medicine Deputy Minister Pandu Bandaranayake, Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Miniser Sarath Ekanayaka Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela and other officials were present. Picture by Sudath Silva

Confiscated sand to be given to temples

The Justice and Law Reforms Ministry in a press release said Cabinet has granted approval to issue sand and wood apprehended while transporting illegally and confiscated by a court ruling to temples for construction works connected with 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi Anniversary.

The release said such confiscated sand and wood occupy a large areas of court premises and arrangements will be made to issue them to temples after consulting the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner.

The Cabinet memorandum has been submitted by Justice Minister Athauda Seneviratne.

Family dispute ends in death

Puttalam group correspondent

A family dispute between two brothers-in-law ended with the killing of one when he was attacked by a katty by the other on Saturday, Puttalam Police said.

The suspect surrendered to the Puttalam Police station with the katty used in the killing.

Investigations are being continued by the Puttalam Police.

Unhygienic eating outlet keepers nabbed

Alex Perera Bandarawela special corr.

Twelve persons maintaining eating outlets unhygienically were nabbed by the Bandarawela Police division environmental unit with the help of PHIs, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bandarawela Sujith Wedamulla said.

Croc attack in Kiramba Ara

Kelum Bodhimana Thihagoda special correspondent

A 35-year-old man was seriously injured when he was bitten by a crocodile while bathing in the Kiramba Ara.

The victim, Sunil Santha, a resident of Palolpitiya, Kapuwatta who was seriously injured, is receiving treatment at the Matara Hospital Intencive Care Unit.

Ayurvedha Colleges in Jaffna, Kilinochchi

Jannfa special correspondent

Plans are underway to open two Ayur- vedha Colleges in Jaffna and Kilinoch- chi, Indigenous Medicine Minister Piyasena Gamage said. Ayurvedic workshops will also be conducted in Achchuveli, Gamage said during a visit to Jaffna.

All official quarters near Maligawa Sacred area to be evacuated

Indika Polkotuwa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed relevant officials to evacuate all official quarters of the state officers located in the Dalada Maligawa sacred area.

The President gave these instructions at the meeting held at the Presidents’ House Kandy on July 30 to discuss arrangements of the Kandy Esala perehera.

At the meeting it was revealed that four official quarters belonging to Central Cultural Fund and some buildings belonging to Archaeological Department and Buddhist Affairs Commissioner all located in the sacred area of the Dalada Maligawa.

Death of well-known dramatist R R Samarakoon

Ruwini Jayawardana

Seasoned dramatist, playwright, translator and author R.R. Samarakoon passed away yesterday following an illness. He is well-known for his production Kelani Palama. He was 71 at the time of death.

Starting his creative career in the 60s the old boy of St. Andrews, Nawalapitiya and Kingswood College, Kandy, Samarakoon bagged nine State awards for the drama rendition named Ahasin Wetunu Minissu, Idama, another drama, won him the award for the best original script at the 1975 Drama Festival.

His novel Ge Kurullo won the award for the best work of fiction published in 1971. Ek Sabhya Kathavak, Ran Tharuwa, Thala Mala, Sundara Saha Sobani, Sanda Eliya Kaluwarai and Loku Akka are some of his other books.

The funeral will be held at the Wadduwa cemetery on Wednesday. His remains lie at his home: No 45, Dibbadda Road, Thalpitiya, Wadduwa North.

Samarakoon was married to SLBC news presenter Ramya Wanigasekara.

Concrete wall obscures historic epigraph

Asoka Senaratne Anuradhapura group corr.

The Irrigation Department has erected a concrete wall in the manner completely covering the historic epigraph installed on the bund of the Paalumakichcheva even against the instructions of the Archaeological Department.

The epigraph carved on a stone is eight feet high and three and half feet wide consisting six verses.

It is believed that the epigraph was carved during the period of King Gajabahu the first (177-199 AD).

Dr Mullar has given a description with a clear picture on this epigraph in his book titled “Lakdiva Sellipi”.

Heavy liquor consumption

Asela Kuruluwansa and Indika Polkotuwa

Residents of the Nuwara Eliya district had consumed 15 million litres of liquor and spent Rs. 522 million for same during last year, said Nuwara Eliya District Secretary D. P. G. Kumarasinghe.

He disclosed these figures at the Central Province Progress Review Meeting held recently under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Kandy. The Secretary further said these figures were obtained from the legally permitted 216 liquor shops in the province and illicit liquor consumption is not included in these figures.

Installation ceremony

The third annual Installation Ceremony of the Hindu College, Bambalapitiya Leo Club will be held at the College Auditorium at 3.30 p.m today. The ceremony will be held under the patronage of principal Dr. T. Muththukumarasamy District Leo President Leo Supipi Silva will be the Chief Guest.

Kandy fire damages building

Asela Kuruluwansa and Indika Polkotuwa

A building named as a world heritage in Kandy sacred area was seriously damaged by a fire which broke out in the upper floor yesterday. The Kandy Municipality fire -brigade was able to douse the fire within thirty minutes The cause of the fire was said to be a electricity leak. A foreign couple who were occupying the upstairs escaped without injury.