Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik called on Prime Minister DM Jayaratne at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

The Airport and Aviation Services Ltd has donated Rs 1 million towards the distribution of school uniforms among 1,000 children belonging to flood affected families in the country. The cheque was handed over to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa by the company’s Chairman Prasanna Wickramasuriya at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport premises recently. Disaster Relief Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Deputy Minister Dulip Wijesekara were also present on the occasion.

Newly appointed Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Defence Ministry yesterday. He presented a special memento to the Defence Secretary to mark the occasion. Vice Admiral Dissanayake assumed duties on January 15 as the 17th Navy Commander.

Namal Rajapaksa MP met Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi at Tripoli in Libya Monday. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena MP was also present. Picture by Udesh Gunarathna

Employees attached to Lake House (ANCL) Welfare and Operations Department have donated a stock of goods and items for distribution among flood victims. The donation was handed over to ANCL Chairman Bandula Padmakumara by Lake House Assistant Manager Operations Saminda Wijetunga in the presence of Operations Manager Mahendra Rodrigo at the company premises recently. Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa

Suspect arrested

P. P. G. Sugathadasa

A suspect who was found guilty of selling government arrack without a valid permit was imposed a fine of Rs. 40,000 and also sentenced to a term of 3 months imprisonment by the Matara Chief Magistrate, Udesh Ranatunga. A team of police officials attached to Thihagoda police made this arrest and prosecuted.

Banana disease in Ampara

A bacterial disease is threatening the healthy existence of banana cultivation in the Sainthamarthu Divisional Secretariat area in Ampara district.

Affected Banana plants show features such as yellowish leaves fallen trunks, the report said.

Nearly 10 families partly depending on their banana cultivations urgently need assistance from experts in Agriculture, the report added.

Patriotism, Quality of a leader

Love for the motherland is the most valuable assert of a leader. The secret behind all victories the country has achieved is the leaders’ love for the motherland.

This was stated by Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma at a function held at Embilipitiya on Saturday. The Minister said that our country was going down in history for the way Sri Lanka defeated terrorism. The secret of this victory was also the unlimited love our leaders had in their hearts for the motherland.

Thefts at fish market

A stock of fish valued Rs 160,000 kept at the Panadura Fish market has been stolen by an organized gang.

Last year to similar thefts had taken place at the Panadura Public Market Fish stalls during the night. No Police security is provided to the Panadura public market.

The fish traders had complained to the Panadura Police about the theft of fish but Panadura police has not taken any action.

Stray cattle menace

The residents and drivers in Sammanthurai area undergo untold hardships as a result of the stray cattle menace.

Various measures adopted by the relevant Pradeshiya Sabhas to curb this menace were futile in the past.

The cattle population is an asset to the farming community and at the same time cattle have posed a threat to the people when they stray in the heart of towns causing obstructions to the vehicular traffic.

Several accidents occurred in Ismailpurem, Malwatthe and Sammanthurai towns in the recent past due to cattle straying in the heart of the town.

The drivers who come from distant places without knowing the places where cattle stray have met with fatal accidents.

Ruhunupura to get water

The signing of an agreement for the Ruhunupura Water Supply Development Project for the supply of Nil Diyawara to the historic Ruhunupura will take place tomorrow (20), at 11 am at a ceremony headed by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The project has been undertaken by the Water Supply and Drainage Board on the instructions of the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The project jointly funded by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Korean Republic, will be completed in 45 months. When completed, it will provide drinking water to over one hundred and twelve thousand persons in the area. The total estimated expenditure will be 9,742 million rupees. Action will also be taken to provide water to the Mahaweli Development region and to the commercial and industrial sector of the area.

Schols for migrant workers' children

Scholarships have been granted to 472 children of migrant workers in five districts by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. The total value of the scholarships is about Rs 9.1 million.

These scholarships are for those who have passed the year five scholarship examination in 2010 and to those who have passed GCE O-L and GCE A-L examinations. The handing over of these scholarships was to take place at 10 am today (19) at the Kandy Upcountry Arts Society hall, by Foreign Employment Promotion and Social Welfare Minister Dilan Perera.

No increase in price of petrol

The Government has taken action not to burden the consumer with the increased oil prices, Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayanth said.

He said that although the prices of Petroleum had increased in the World Market last month, action would be taken to maintain the prevailing prices.

Water supply project to be opened

The Labugama-Kalatuwawa Water Supply Promotion Project undertaken with financial assistance jointly from the Government of Hungary and the Government of Sri Lanka to mark the 125th year of the Labugama Water Supply Project will be declared open at a ceremony at 9.30 today (19), under the patronage of Minister Dinesh Gunawardena with the attendance of a number of distinguished guests.

Arrested with narcotics

Kandapola police yesterday (18), arrested a person suspected to have 276 tins containing narcotics brought from India to be sold to schoolchildren in the hill country.

The raid was carried out by a team of police officers headed by Kandapola SI WM Wijekone on the instructions of Senior DIG Central Province Gamini Navaratne, DIG Nihal Samarakone, Senior Superintendent of Police Gamini Mathurata and ASP R Rajapakse

New Budu Medura

The new Bodhi prakaraya and Atavisi Budu Medura at the Katudora Galapitigala Viharaya in Gulavita, Walallavita will be opened by Most Ven Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera on January 20.

A colourful procession carrying the Buddha statue will begin from Walallavita junction at 8.30 am on January 20.

A colourful procession carrying the Buddha statue will begin from Walallavita junction at 8.30 am on January 20 under the patronage of Katudora Purana Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven Gulavita Sirinivasa Thera.

Get-together

Kalutara District Old Anandians and Old Nalandians annual get-together will be held on February 12, at the Wadduwa Holiday resort.

The annual Ananda-Nalanda old boys cricket match elders and youngers sport event will also be held. Further information from Neel 0777878622.

Lecture

The Institute of Supply and Materials Management has scheduled an evening lecture on "The next ten years of procurement prospective" on Friday January 21 at the OPA Auditorium 275/75 Prof Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo 7.

The Lecture will be delivered by Director General of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management Charles Holden who is visiting Sri Lanka. The Lecture is open to all ISMM members and the general public.

Workshop

A regional workshop on the Stockholm accord on Carbonic waste and the Rotterdam accord on the analysis of chemicals and harmful waste will be held in Colombo from January 19 to 21. The inaugural ceremony will be held at the Colombo Hilton on January 19 at 8.30 am under the patronage of Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

Nearly 55 delegates representing 17 countries in the Asian Region are due to attend the workshop.

Clifton walk

The Past Pupils Association of Clifton Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo has organized a walk themed 'Clifton Work 2011' on January 22 to mark the school's 125th anniversary and raise funds for the school's development activities and muster support and good wishes to the Sri Lanka team for victory at the cricket World Cup 2011.

The walk will commence from the school premises and conclude at the Hyde Park, Colombo. Parliamentarian Thilanga Sumathipala, Provincial Council Member Ajmal Wawjood and Principal Bhawanthi Rodrigo will grace the occasion as the chief guests.

Sil program

A sil and meditation program conducted by Ven Ajan Brahmawanso Thera will be held at the BMICH, Colombo on January 19 from 6 am to 5 pm.

Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya

An offering of rice made of 80 measures of paddy and 32 curries will be made to the Sacred Tooth Relic at an Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya to be held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy this morning (January 19).

Yoga of Devotion

The Kanapathy Chetty Selvanathan Charitable Trust will be holding discourses titled 'Yoga of Devotion' in English by Sunandaji (daughter-disciple of Swami Parathasarathy) from January 19-22, 2011 daily from 6.30-7.45 pm at Ramakrishna Mission Hall, Wellawatte. Inauguration speech will be by Swami Sarvarubananda.

Retail price a must for ads

The Consumer Affairs Authority yesterday said that all advertisements of consumer items in the print or electronic media should specifically mention the retail price of such items with effect from February 01.

CAA Chairman Rumy Marzook in an Extraordinary Gazzette Notification issued on January 06 directed all manufacturers, importers, distributors and traders to mention the retail price in advertisements related their consumer products in electronic or print media. The CAA says that when various models, sizes and grades of such consumer items are specified in advertisements, the retail prices should also be mentioned.

Smuggling attempt foiled

The Sri Lanka Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle an assortment of goods worth Rs 20 million yesterday. The items included mobile phones, phone accessories, watches and shoes.

The Customs Central Examination Unit (CEU) seized the consignment from 13 Sri Lankans arriving from Dubai. The goods were confiscated. Sri Lanka Customs under the direct supervision of Customs Director General Sudarma Karunarathna are conducting investigations.