Quick Look

Parliamentarian P M Piyasena, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana and Technological and Research Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapha coming out of the Court, after the Court decided that the expulsion of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member P H Piyasena from the party is illegal. - Picture by Ruwan de Silva

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Army ensures security

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The Army continued search operations in the North and the East to ensure maximum safety to the civilians. The humanitarian demining process has cleared most of the pre-occupied areas in the North.

Troops on their search and clear operations in the general areas of Chava, Madduvil, Kokkutuduwai, Kilinochchi and Madupultottam recovered one 81 mm mortar bomb, one 152 mm Artillery shell, one 60 mm mortar bomb, one anti personnel mine and five hand grenades Sunday.

The Navy recovered one hand grenade from the Wellawatta Police area on the same day.

Muslim Congressfiles petition

Suraj A Bandara

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress filed a case against the rejection of the nomination papers seeking the restoration of rejected nominations in four local bodies.

The Muslim Congress has submitted petitions against the Election authorities’ decision on Akurana and Ukuwela local bodies.

Protest in Beruwala

Fishermen at Magalkanda, Beruwala started a protest against the police creating heavy traffic jam on the Galle road Monday. They protested against the removal of several unauthorized fish stalls by the side of the Galle road.

Traffic on the Galle road came to a halt for more than two hours due to the protest and Police was compelled to summon the anti-riots squad to bring the situation under control.

Heart patient seeks help

W M Sumithra, 52, of No. 31, Thorapitiya, Pallewela is suffering from heart condition called supra ventricular tachycardia.

Consultant Cardiac Electro physiologist Dr Asunga Dunuwille has recommended an early percutaneous cardiac electro physiological treatment with RF ablation to cure her illness.

The procedure to be performed at a private hospital is estimated to cost Rs 200,000.

Sumithra’s husband Sarath Nanda Kumara says he is unable to foot this bill due to his present financial plight.

All contributions should be remitted to account number 8100073261 at the Commercial Bank, Wellawatte branch. Her contact number is 072 8553500.

Leave cancelled

Tennakoon KULASEKERA

Agrarian Services and Wild Life Minister S M Chandrasena has directed the Director General of Agrarian Services to cancel all leave of Agrarian Service Officers to expedite compensation payments to affected farmers.

Fair channeling

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday instructed the Sports Ministry to donate monies that were to be used for two musical shows in Kandy and Hambantota for flood relief, President's Media Director General Bandula Jayasekara said.

The two shows had been organized by the Sports Ministry as promotional events for the Cricket World Cup.

-RS

Phone thief nabbed after two months

Amila PRABATH WANASINGHE

A 24-year-old youth was arrested by the Medawachchiya Police in connection with the robbery of a mobile phone belonging to a female shopkeeper in Diviyaudabendawa two months ago.

The Police also recovered the phone from his possession. The suspect was due to be produced in court. Investigations are continuing.

NCP schools reopen today

Chula BANDARA KULASEKERA

All Government schools closed due to heavy rains and floods will reopen today. North Central Province Education Director H K M Jinapala said. Jinapala said welfare centres in schools will also be removed. He however said if the need arises, some centres would be maintained further. Schools where welfare centres are maintained will not reopen today, he said.

Dry rations for affected

Parliamentary corrs

The Government has decided to give six months supplies of dry rations to all the families affected by the floods caused due to heavy rains, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena told Parliament yesterday.

The Minister further said that the Government will assist to build houses damaged by the floods and expedite the reconstruction of destroyed roads.

”Around 2.5 million people have been hit by the heavy rains that have affected two thirds of the country,” he said. The Government will not be deterred by the challenges posed by nature and will carry on the development work in the country,” he added.

Another book by Surani

Surani Prasadini, a Grade seven student of Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena has published another book for children titled ‘Peni Koyindo Kurullane’. Earlier she had published another book titled ‘Mage Suratal Yaluwo’.

Surani is the daughter of Nirmala Perera, an author of children’s books and the granddaughter of veteran writer late Dharmasiri Jayakody.

Seminar

The Organization of Professional Associations has organized a seminar to be held on February 11, 2011 at 6 pm at the auditorium of the OPA No 275/75, Prof Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo 7. The theme is ‘Electricity Pricing’ and the speakers are Prof Ranjith Perera and Dr Tilak Siyambalapitiya.

Beach park

The Coast Conservation Department has launched a project to build beach parks in the Southern Province coastal areas.

The first stage of the project is to be implemented in the coastal belt between Matara and Devinuwara. Accordingly beach parks are to be constructed in the coastal line in Meddawatta, Wellamadama, Kottegoda, Beliwatta, Polgahamulla, Germanwella and Dikwella areas, under the project.

PM to receive Sri Mahabodhi sapling

Anuradhapura district special corr

A sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to be taken to Buddhagaya, India on February 16 will be ceremonially handed over to Prime Minister D M Jayaratne at a ceremony at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises this morning.

NCP Governor Karunaratne Divulgane Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake and Anuradhapura GA H M K Herath will attend the ceremony presided by Atamasthanadhipathi Ven Dr Pallegama Sirinivasa thera.

Girl’s body found

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The body of a girl was found in a paddy field in Halabewa, Pahalathalawa last Monday.

Thalawa police said the girl had been murdered while returning home after accompanying her fiance to the bus stand.