Quick Look

Gajaman Nona left in the lurch

Waidyasekara - Tissamaharama Special Corr

Gajaman Nona - the renowned poet who lived in Nonogama area and died decades ago, deservedly had a statue erected in memory of her contribution to local poetry.

However, the statue is exposed to all weather conditions causing gradual destruction. Also it is in a state of dirt as crows pass bowel waste while resting on it. Villagers insist the authorities to build a proper protection cover over the statue which is of great value to the Southern Province.

Tsunami drill today

Dinesh DE ALWIS

A tsunami drill organized by Disaster Management Centre will be held covering 13 tsunami affected districts today at 3 pm.

The drill would be held in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Puttalam and Mannar districts.

The drill will be held in parallel to the National Safety Day commemoration which is scheduled to be held on December 26.

This exercise will help ascertain the preparedness levels and test the reliability of the early warning system.

Japan to invest here

A special Japanese delegation will meet Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today to find out possibilities to invest in the tourism industry and other areas in the country next year. The delegation will include eight members of the Japanese Parliament, a former minister and four leading Japanese businessmen.

An Economic Development Ministry spokesperson said the delegation will meet the Deputy Minister and senior officers of the BOI to discuss matters related to investments in Sri Lanka. He added the investments will commence next year. (SKM)

Cop’s house burgled

Indika POLKOTUWA

Matale police conduct investigations into the burglary of the house belonging to Matale police headquarters public relations branch OIC Priyantha Jayasekera from where gold Jewelery worth over Rs 1 million and Rs 30,000 in cash were stolen recently. According to the police the thieves had entered the house by braking the rear door of the house while the police officer and his family had gone out.

Matale police crime OIC Lalinda Peris and a team of officers are conducting investigations.

Elephants released

Raja WAIDYASEKERA- Tissamaharama Special Corr.

A few elephants that were looked after at Udawalawa elephant transit home Eth Athuru Sevana will be released to the wilds. The elephants were found abandoned and the stranded as a result of various injuries and other reasons.

The elephants are fed with infant milk food, looked after well and released to the wilds when they come of age. The wildlife officials at Udawalawa elephant transit home request donors and philanthropists to provide them with Lactogen infant milk food to feed the jumbos.

Indian visas from H'tota

Tissamaharama Special Corr.

The Indian Consulate Office at Hambantota will provide Visa and Consular services for the people of Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Moneragala districts.

Services provided by the Indian High Commission in Colombo will be available at the Hambantota Indian Consulate Office.

‘Make use of peace to maximum’

Malwatta Chapter Maha Nayaka Most Venerable Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said President Mahinda Rajapaksa brought peace to the country and it is needed to win the hearts of the Tamil community to make use of peace to the maximum.

`The Chief Prelate made these observations when Maligawatte Sri Bodhirajarama, Colombo, Chief Incumbent Ven Uwathanne Sumana Thera called on the Maha Nayaka Thera. Uwathanne Sumana Thera said he had temporarily stopped engaging in all political activities and would take a decision in future.

OUSL General Convocation

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) will hold its General convocation 2010 to confer Bachelor's degrees,Postgraduate degrees and Honorary degrees on December 23 at the BMICH.

The morning session will commence at 9.30 am and the afternoon session will commence at 2 pm. Chancellor Sam S Wijesinghe will open the convocation ceremony.

Extraordinary service

An extraordinary service of Christmas praise, worship, teaching and healing will be held at St Paul's Church, Milagiriya on December 23 Thursday, at 5.30 pm. Dr Vijaya Corea will be the preacher.

Carols

Christmas Carols of the External Affairs Ministry will be held on December 23 at 9.30 am at the Ministry auditorium.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, Ministry officials, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls accredited to Sri Lanka will participate.

Bodhi Puja

The JICA Alumni Association of Sri Lanka will hold a Bodhi Puja and Pirith chanting at the Gangaramaya, Colombo 2, on December 23 from 5 pm onwards to invoke blessings on Japanese Emperor Akihito, on his 77th birthday.

Corrections & Clarification

It was Government of India

In our story titled ‘No stoppage of North-East Housing’ which appeared in Page One of the Daily News on December 20, 2010 it was inadvertently mentioned that the ongoing 50,000 housing project was carried out under a loan provided by the World Bank.

It was the Government of India that provides funds for the 50,000 housing project in the North and East which has already commenced construction. - Editor

New paddy strain enables high yield

The Bathalagoda Paddy Research Centre has introduced a new strain of paddy which can produce a high yield of 300 bushels per acre. The new strain named BG 407 is due to be introduced to the farmers during the Maha season according to an official of the Paddy Research Centre.

Please help Ranjith

Fifty four year MKG A Ranjith Peries of 286A, Sangamiththapura, Wakwella Road, Galle has been diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure and needs a kidney transplant.

He needs an ‘O +’ Group blood donor, says Consultant Nephrologist, National Institute for Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Dr SM Senevirathne.

Any kidney donors can contact him on 0775786713 or 0912241136. Donations can be made to the Hatton National Bank, Galle Branch, A/C No: 013020312825.

Buddhist talk

Douglas de Silva will deliver a Buddhist talk in English on Meditation on Death at the meeting of the Servants of Buddha Society on December 25 at Maithree Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.