Quick Look

President visits Governor

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and A H M Azwer MP yesterday morning visited Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana who is hospitalized due to a sudden illness at a private hospital in Colombo. The Governor’s condition is improving, according to a Senior Consultant who is attending to him.

He said that the Governor will be discharged in a few days.

Deadly meal

Gamini Obeysekera - Polonnaruwa special correspondent

A 11-year-old girl from Singhepura, Polonnaruwa died after consuming chocolate and a soft drink which her father had brought home.

It is reported that Gimhani Kumari had developed an adverse reaction after consuming the chocolate and the soft drink. She had died after being admitted to the hospital.

The child’s father who brought the soft drink home, is reported to be a soldier based in Vavuniya. The Police are investigating the incident.

Prize giving

The annual prize giving of the Sri Mihindu Daham Pasela of Sri Jeimson International Buddhist Meditation Centre, Ampitiya will be held at the Buddhist Centre on February 20 at 1 pm.

Film competition

The National Youth Services Council will conduct a short and documentary film competition in 2011. Youth between 15 – 35 can participate.

Applications will be accepted until February 20. Competitors should send in their screen plays to the Assistant Director, Sri Lanka Youth Film Festival, The National Youth Services Council, 65, High level Road, Maharagama.

A script writing, direction, production and film technology workshop will be conducted.

State festival

Manel Pushpakumari

The State oil anointing festival for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year will be held under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s patronage at the Ran Dupatha in Matara. A discussion in this regard was held under the patronage of Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake at the Matara District Secretariat last Tuesday.

Missing labourer’s body found after 11 days

Indika Polkotuwa and Asela Kuruluwansa

The body of a labourer who had been missing for 11 days was found Tuesday evening.

The labourer Palanayandi Pushparajan, 27, was attached to Robgill Estate in Bogawantalawa.

The labourer who was residing at the Circushall Section of the tea estate is alleged to have been murdered.

The Bogawantalawa Police have taken one person into custody.

Investigations are continuing.

Unforgettable lesson for youth

S N Godamune Gampola Group

A group of youth who were on their way to Sri Pada with 15 bottles of arrack in their possession were taught a good lesson.

They were made to kneel inside the Nawalapitiya Police Station as a punishment.

The group of 62 youth were also under the influence of liquor.

They were nabbed by the Police near the Mahaweli River when trying to confront the villagers.

The drunken youth who included ex-soldiers started abusing the Police and had to pay a heavy price.

They were made to kneel inside the Police Station till they became sober.

Two-year-old knocked down

Edward Weerasinghe - Kalaniya Group Corr

Heshan Silva, a two-year old boy of Thumpeliya, Ja-Ela was knocked down by a speeding motor car and died on the spot at the Weligampitiya junction, Ja-Ela on the Colombo-Negambo road last Friday, said Kandana Police. He was crossing the road with his father. The farther had sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the Colombo North General Hospital, Ragama. The motor car had fled away.

Six month training course

Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya Group correspondent

The Gampaha district vocational training centre of the Vocational Training and Rural Industries Ministry has started a six month vocational training course in landscaping for unemployed youth and school leavers in the district.

Police to crack down on thefts

Kayts police have opened a checking centre at Valanthaai junction, the gateway to Karainagar and the Jaffna islands by land to arrest the spate of thefts.

Analathivu, Eluvathiru, Nainathivu and Punguduthivu are under the jurisdiction of Kayts police. The island of Delft is supervised by a separate police station in Delft.

Robbers and criminals can escape through Valanthaai to the mainland.

Student dies of dengue

A student of Nelliyaddy Maha Vidyalaya has become a victim of dengue fever. He was first admitted to the Point Pedro hospital and transferred to the Jaffna Teaching hospital for urgent treatment. he has later succumbed to dengue. Jaffna was cleared of dengue by the health authorities, but after the rain, if has raised its head again.

Kumuthini refurbished

Kumuthini the passenger motor launch that had been in service between Kurikadduvan and Delft has been reconditioned with more facilities.

The upper deck of this launch has been used by passengers in the past as berth to travel between Delft and Kurikadduvan. The deck has been remodelled.

Pre school opened in Nallur

The first model pre school has been opened at Nallur in the Jaffna Municipality building by the Hemas organization. Child Development and Women’s Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda, Traditional Industries and Small enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda, Jaffna Mayor Y. Patkunarajah and officials of Hemas participated.

The Hemas organization will open Pre-Schools in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu soon. They have opened 33 pre schools in the country.