Quick Look

Bus-van collision injures two

Samanthi Weerasekara and Indrani Thoradeniya

Two persons were seriously injured and admitted to the Kandy hospital following a bus-van collision at Aladeniya, Kandy yesterday morning.

The van was proceeding towards Katugastota from Harankahawa and the private bus was plying from Kandy to Kurunegala when the accident occurred.

The injured who were occupants in the van are residents of Harankahawa.

Lorry runs over fallen drunkard

Samanthi Weeasekara and Kandy District special corr.

A speeding lorry ran over a person who had fallen near the Menikhinna bus stand in a drunken stupor killing him on the spot around 7 pm Monday. The victim was identified as A.G. Padmasiri (42) alias 'Panuwa' of Batuhena, Walala. Menikhinna Police investigating the incident is trying to trace the driver and owner of the lorry which had fled the scene.

Dr Amunugama to represent President at Spring Sessions

Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama will represent President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming IMF World Bank Spring Sessions which will be held this week in Washington. Dr Amunugama will participate in the Annual Finance Ministers’ Meeting as well and have bilateral discussions with the Finance Ministers of China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries which are major donors to Sri Lanka’s development effort. Dr Amunugama is due to address the assembly on behalf of Sri Lanka on October 9. He will be accompanied by Deputy Governor of the Central Bank K G D D Dheerasinghe, Economic Research Director K D Ranasinghe, National Planning Director General H M Gunasekera and External Resources Director C Hapugoda.

President to give teaching appointments

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

In line with the Teachers’ Day celebrations, 3,724 graduates and Colleges of Education Diploma holders will be recruited to the teachers service today. Appointments will be given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees.

World Teachers’ Day celebrations will be held today at Thurstan College, Colombo under the patronage of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

Sri Lanka celebrates the Teachers’ Day on October 6.

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the 70-75 Group of Old Anandians will be held on October 8, Friday in the College Administrative building. Ananda Principal L M D Dharmasena will preside.

Deaf School past pupils AGM

Ratmalana Deaf School Past pupils’ Association will have its 61st Annual General Meeting on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at Stanley Hall, School for the Deaf, Ratmalana commencing at 9.45 a.m.

Akshara Aarampam

Kingston College International will celebrate Navarathri Vizha from October 8. “Akshara Aarampam” will take place on Sunday, October 17.

Ministry shifts

The Indigenous Medicine Ministry will move to the new wing of the Ayurvedha Teaching Hospital, Rajagiriya on October 9 at 10 a.m.

President attends Consultative meetings

Irangika RANGE Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to Parliament yesterday to attend two Consultative Committee meetings. President Rajapaksa chaired the Consultative Committees of the Ministries of Highways and Posts and Aviation in his capacity as the Minister.

President Rajapaksa remained in the Parliamentary complex till evening and had his lunch from the MP’s canteen, Parliamentary sources said, adding that he had several rounds of cordial discussions with both Government and Opposition Parliamentarians.

IT centres for CP rural areas

Sanjaya Asela MATHURATA

The Central Province rural areas will get 42 Information Technology Centres at a cost of Rs 44 million. The project aims to provide Information Technology facilities to rural areas, Provincial Chief Secretary P G Amarakoon said. He said at the first stage 10 centres will be established in Yatinuwara, Ududumbara, Thumpane, Akurana, Pallepola, Raththota, Laggala-Pallegama, Hanguranketa, Ambagamuwa and Nawalapitiya before the end of this year and each IT Centre costs Rs 1,037,000. The remaining 32 will be established by March next year, he said.

More facilities for Haj pilgrims

The Government has increased facilities for Haj pilgrims, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.

He said the Government has taken immediate steps to facilitate Sri Lankan Haj pilgrims.

The Premier said discussions in this regard were held with Saudi Arabian Government officials. He made these comments at a discussion with the Travel Agency owners at Visumpaya. Prime Minister Jayaratne said Travel Agencies must ensure the safety and attend to the pilgrims' needs.

Fire doused

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

A sudden fire had erupted at the Agriculture Ministry building in Battaramulla. The fire had broken out in the first floor of the three story building of the Govijana Mandira.

Projects and Planning Division of the Ministry has been destroyed in the fire.

The Fire Brigade and the Thalangama Police had extinguished the blaze within a short period minimizing the damage, Agriculture Ministry Secretary K E Karunathilake said.

Ministry officials also helped to control the fire.

President to open Tangalle Court complex

Tangalle Court Complex comprising High Court, District Court, Magistrate Court, Legal Aid office, Labour Tribunal constructed at a cost of Rs 358 million will be opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 16, said a communique issued by the Government Information Department.

Blood donation

Amila Prabhath WANASINGHE

Postal Department employees of the Anuradhapura District will hold a blood donation campaign on October 7 at the Anuradhapura Central Post Office in association with Anuradhapura City Lions Club.

Student hospitalized after assault

Amila Prabath WANASINGHE

A grade eleven student attached to the Medawachchiya Maitripala Senanayake National School was admitted to the Medawachchiya Hospital following an alleged assault by a teacher attached to the school yesterday.

The parents of the student, R L Lakmal Pradeep Rajapaksa have lodged a complaint in this connection with the Medawachchiya Police Children and Women’s Bureau. The DMO of the hospital said the student was not in a serious condition. The principal of the school when contacted said there had been a clash among two student factions in the school and he had directed the teacher concerned to settle it.

Jaffna University convocation

The 26th Convocation of the Jaffna University takes place today in the Jaffna University Kailasapathy hall. Jaffna University Chancellor Prof. A. Sivasooriyar will preside. Jaffna University Vice Chancellor will award the degrees. More than 1000 undergraduates will receive their degrees in four sittings.

Killed by elephant

Jawfer Khan, Batticaloa Corr

A father of three died Monday following an attack by a wild elephant the day before.

The victim is Sivasubramaniam Udayakumar of Vakarai, a fisherman. He was admitted to Kadiraveli Hospital and later transferred to Batticaloa Teaching Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Death of Victor Marabage

Yasaratne GAMAGE,Anuradhapura Corr

Former Lake House Thalawa Group Correspondent Journalist Victor Marabage passed away following a long illness.

Victor Marabage started his career with the Aththa newspaper and became a senior in Lake House Editorial Board.

He had been a Post Master and worked as the Media Secretary to late Doctor Raja Johnpullai. Cortege leaves his residence today (6) at 2.30pm for the funeral at the Thalawa Cemetery.