Quick Look

Flag Week to mark Prisoners’ Day

Priyanka KURUGALA

The commemoration ceremony of the Prisoners’ Day will be held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute under the patronage of Prime Minister D M Jayaratne on September 12.

To mark the Prisoners’ Day the Prison Department, The Prisoners Welfare Association and the Education Ministry have planned to launched a Flag Week from September 5 to 12 throughout the country, said Prison Commissioner Major General VR Silva.

“We hope to sell these flags to the schoolchildren,” he said.

He was addressing a press conference at Prison Headquarters, Colombo yesterday.

Prison Commissioner Welfare MB Ratnayake said, there are about 25,000 prisoners in all the prisons of the country. Out of them 387 individuals were released by special pardon last year.

Canadian Police probe LTTE links

More than three dozens Tamil migrants have been segregated from 492 others who arrived by boat, for questioning by Police on suspicion of being linked to the LTTE, or other inadmissible groups, including war criminals, the Toronto Sun reported yesterday.

Those held in segregation at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre in BC include the skipper of the MV Sun Sea, Kamalraj Kandasamy, Captain Vinod, his 24-man crew and about a dozen migrants who arrived August 13 off the coast of BC after a 90-day trip from Thailand.

Fire destroys walkie talkies, batteries

W. C. B. Fernando Puttalam group corr

A fire which gutted the police checkpoint near the Munneswaram Devalaya in Chilaw in the wee hours of Saturday destroyed 24 walkie talkies and 30 batteries used for these instruments. The damage caused has been estimated at nearly Rs 1.5 million.

Investigations revealed that the policemen on duty during the previous night Devalaya Perahera had arrived at the check point after midnight to rest. They had retired to their make shift beds after keeping their walkie talkies inside a cardboard box. A policeman had lit a mosquito coil and kept it beside his bed to ward off mosquitoes and a mosquito net he had spread had accidentally fallen on to the burning coil unaware igniting the fire which also engulfed the box containing the walkie talkies. Chilaw police are investigating.

Hardcore criminal nabbed

Kapila SOMARATNE Panadura group corr.

A hardcore criminal who is alleged to have committed 12 murders and 10 gang robberies in Kalutara, Ambalangoda and Panadura was arrested by police yesterday.

Panadura police is to obtain a detention order from the Panadura Magistrate to interrogate Damith Dharshana Silva alias Podisuduwa of Pinwatte, Panadura, regarding his involvement in the murders and robberies. He and another man escaped from the Panadura Magistrate's Court cell two years ago and had committed murders and gang robberies, Police said.

They are alleged to have shot dead two police constables of Ambalangoda when they were chased after robbing a jewellery shop in Ambalangoda.

The Colombo Division Criminal Investigations Unit is to hand over the suspect to the Panadura police to conduct investigations.

Shramadana to fight dengue in Ibbagamuwa

M A R Manukulasooriya Hiriyala group corr

The Ibbagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha launched a massive shramadana campaign to destroy mosquito breeding places.

The first shramadana campaign was held on August 25 in and around the Melsiripura town.

Residents of Melsiripura were made aware of the danger of the dengue menace and were instructed to keep their surroundings clean.

Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Ashoka Gunarathne said that it is the duty of everyone to extend their co-operation to the Health Ministry to eradicate dengue. Members of youth clubs and voluntary organizations and Public Health Inspectors participated in the shramadana.

Lakshman bids adieu today

The funeral of SLFP Stalwart and former Minister Lakshman Jayakody will take place today at Divulapitiya.

Jayakody made his debut appearance in Parliament in 1960 as the representative from Divulapitiya electorate. Since then, he held various portfolios ranging from Deputy Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs in the 1970 coalition Government to Cultural and Religious Affairs Ministerial portfolio of the People’s Alliance Government in 1994.

At the time of his death, he was serving as an advisor to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The remains are lying at his residence at Balagalla in Divulapitiya. Jayakody joined the SLFP in 1954 and was a formidable force behind of the victory of MEP Government in 1956.

Pineapple cultivation in Ampara

M.I.M. Azhar- Maligaikadu group corr.

Arrangements have been made to promote pineapple cultivation at the Sainthamaruthu Agrarian Service centre in the Ampara district. Under the initial step, Sainthamaruthu and Maligaikadu have been selected for pineapple cultivation. Over 100 farmer families will be directed to cultivate pineapple during the Maha season. In addition, facilities to sell the products of farmers engaged in pineapple cultivation will be provided by the Agriculture service centre, Agriculture Instructor M.M.M. Jameel said.

Another CMC Night Bazaar

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) will hold its second Night Bazaar for the year at Green Path on Friday and Saturday Night. (September 4,5).

CMC Special Commissioner Omar Kamil said it was decided to hold another Night Bazaar in September following the massive success of last month’s bazaar.

“We expect bigger crowds at this month’s bazaar as it will have added attractions for adults and children. There will be more stalls on display at this month’s Night Bazaar,” Kamil said.

Army Women’s Corps 31st anniversary

The Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps marked its 31st anniversary on September 1, 2010 at their headquarters in Borella. A first day stamp cover was released to mark the occasion and also in memory of 25 women soldiers killed in action. Iresha Nilmini was the first woman military police soldier who died in action.

Buddhist Talk

Mangala Fonseka will deliver a Buddhist Talk in English on ‘The reality of the present moment’, at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society, Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya, on September 4 at 4.30 p.m.

OPA annual sessions

The 23rd annual sessions of the Organization of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) will be held on October 1 and 2 at the Taj Samudra Hotel. The theme of this year’s Annual Sessions is “Vision 2020: The Way Forward”.

Peace Art Festival

ESCO REHAB Sri Lanka will hold its annual special arts festival on October 30 and 31 at the ESCO Headquarters, Egodauyana, Moratuwa.

There are about 30 events for all categories of disability among the participants.

Those interested in applying for this Award can forward their performances on a DVD, on or before September 30, to ESCO at 26, Egodauyana,Moratuwa.

This award is given every year to a person with a disability under 30 years. The winner will receive US $ 5,000 and a trip to Washington DC.

Contact 0112-657090, 0112-722562, 0113-164079 or 0722-271009 for details.

New British HC

The Government has granted the appointment of John Rankin as the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in succession to Dr Peter Hayes, said a press release issued by the External Affairs Ministry.

Stanley needs help

Former teacher and Sri Lanka School Cricket Association former Assistant Secretary Stanley Marcus Fonseka, 69, needs urgent Coronary Bypass Graft surgery.

The cost of the surgery is Rs 600,000 and Fonseka is unable to foot the bill and seeks public help.

Contributions can be made to the Account of HSM Fonseka, 021590401-7 of Hatton National Bank, Ja-ela.

Nalanda ‘85 get-together

Nalanda College 1985 Group Get-together will be held on September 4 at 8.30am onwards at Moors Ground. 1985 A/L and 1982 O/L Past Pupils of the College are invited by the Organizing Committee.