Quick Look

Christmas trees sent to Colombo

P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

Christmas trees are being despatched from the hill country, particularly from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo and outstations for the Christmas. However, strict precautions are being exercised by the authority to ensure trees are cut according to Government’s measures.

And not to cut down trees both by the Forest Department and other state authorities - Special permits are being issued by the Government Agent and his authorised officials with regard to the Christmas trees that are being despatched to outstations. Meanwhile, with the ongoing inclement weather the Christmas revellers here are optimistic as to whether they will have a wet Christmas.

Weather play havoc in Ukuwela

Nihal Gamage

The heavy rainfall at Ukuwela in the Matale district damaged 30 houses in the ‘Grama Niladhari’ Divisions of Hunuketawala, Pahala Wehigala, Pujagoda, Elkaduwa, Dehipitiya, Managoda, Udatenna, Nagahatenna, Iriyagolla Tawalankoya, Nagolla, Pathanpitiya and Nawarathnagoda.

A house at Katudeniya Division is completely damaged and the Ukuwela Divisional Secretary has taken action to provide an alternative land for its occupants.

Police transfers from Jan 1

Richmond Wijesekera - Bentota group corr

About 2,325 police officers both male and female will receive transfers with effect from January 1, 2011, a senior officer of the police – SP told the Daily News. Inspectors of Police, Sub-Inspectors, Sergeants and Constables were among the ranks that will receive transfers. Among them there were 365 Inspectors and Sub Inspectors of Police, 1,562 Police Sergeants and 398 Constables and Women Police Constables, he said.

Coral collector arrested

Richmond Wijesekera - Bentota group corr

A man collecting corals in the Galle sea beach was arrested by the police. He was taken into custody by a special police team following a tip off received from the public, police said. He was earlier wanted for collecting small endemic plants in the Mahamodera river. The suspect was produced before the Galle Magistrate and fined Rs 10,000.

Launch of Visala

Bhadraji Mahinda Jayatilaka’s latest novel Visala will be launched on December 7 at 10am at the Publishing house of Dayawansa Jayakody S Mahinda Himi Mawatha, Maradana.

Bhadraji Mahinda Jayatilaka wrote his first novel in 1971, when he was 17 years. Within the time span of four decades Bhadraji has written over 40 novels.

Bhadraji has won the state literary award twice, first for the best translation(“The Yellow Robe” by Ven. Walpola Piyananda Thera. Dayawansa Jayakody publication)and the second for the best English language children’s book ‘Planet Purple’ (Sandakada publication). He has also won the prestigious DR Wijewardene award in 1995 for the best novel and the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Award for the best novel written under a Buddhist theme in 2008. (‘Dineka Kusinarawe’, Sarasavi Publication).

Variety entertainment

Tiny Tots Montessori in Kesbewa will hold a variety entertainment on December 10 at Vishva Samadhi Hall, Moratuwa (Sarvodaya Sangamaya) from 3.00 pm.

The Chief Guest will be the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

Mahanayake Thera turns 103 today

The Most Ven Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya turns 103 on December 7. The Ramanna Nikayarakshaka Sabha has decided to celebrate this occasion by opening the new Headquarters Building of the Nikaya at Narahenpita Road, Colombo on an austere note wishing good health and long life to the Mahanayake Thera, said Chief Lekakhadhikari of the Ramanna Nikaya Ven Prof Waragoda Premaratana Nayaka Thera.

He said Viharadhipathis of all temples belonging to the Ramanna Maha Nikaya are requested to conduct Dhamma Desana, Pirith chanting, Sanghika Daana and other Pinkam in their temples to invoke blessings on the Mahanayake Thera.

English training centres to be setup

Parliament corrs

The Education Ministry has taken measures to establish English Training centres in the country to provide a remedy to the islandwide English teacher shortage, Education Deputy Minister Vijith Wijayamuni Soyza said at the Parliament yesterday.

He said that an English Training centre was established in the Uva Province spending over Rs 100 million and another centre is being constructed in the Southern Province too. He also observed that there is an islandwide teacher shortage for English and aesthetic subjects.

He was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa.

Students to attend World Festival of Youth and Students

Dinesh De Alwis

One hundred and fifty university students will attend the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students.

This is a good opportunity for the students to know about cultures of other countries and to build relationship with them said Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake addressing a meeting held at Shalika Hall, Narahenpita. The Higher Education Ministry has selected the students covering all universities and every ethnic group, he said. The World Festival of Youth and Students will be held at Pretoria, South Africa from December 13 to 21.

The theme of the conference is “Let’s Defeat Imperialism for A World Of Peace, Solidarity and Social Transformation“. About 30,000 delegates including Heads of State representing about 100 countries will participate.