Quick look

Sea plane lands in Hambantota

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama special corr.

The sea plane known as Canadian DC Havilon Twin Oter arrived at Badagiriya wewa at Hambantota for the first time with 15 passengers recently. Among them were the Canadian Ambassador Bruce Levy and passengers who came to witness the 2011 World Cup match played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium at Suriyawewa. The aircraft owned by SriLankan Air Lines was manned by captain Brian Kutsen.

Factory gutted

Mahanama Vithanage - Malwana group corr

A fire which erupted in a toy factory in Delgoda town was extinguished by the BOI fire brigade on Friday night. The fire which originated in the production section of the factory had caused extensive damage to the factory and products ready for distribution. An electrical short circuit is said to have caused the fire. Meegahawatta Police is investigating.

Rural projects completed

Mahaweli systems corr.

A government agency mandated to carry out development work in 'Uda Rata' claimed that it implemented 115 rural level projects in the Akurana divisional secretariat division during 2010. The Up-country Development Authority said that it had been able to co-operate with the national level program 'Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma' by carrying out the aforesaid rural project, throughout the Akurana area of the Kandy district. A sum of Rs 30 million had been spent.

Infrastructure development program

Ariyapala Wansathilake - Kurunegala Central Special Correspondent

The Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has decided to provide a special infrastructure development project for the benefit of people of dry zone areas in the North Western province. This project is scheduled to be completed by January 2014.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa has agreed to provide Rs 200 million for the implementation of this special project. 10,000 under-previleged families in the Putthalama and Kurunegala districts are to be benefited.

Sir Baron Jayatilaka Memorial lecture

The 43rd memorial lecture to commemorate the birth anniversary of Colombo YMBA first President State Council leader and Home Affairs Minister Sir Baron Jayatilaka was held recently at the YMBA hall Borella. The memorial address was delivered by retired Public Trustee and former Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Myanmar U Mapa on “Review Education from Buddhist Perspective in the Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Year”.

Athletic meet

The Musaeus College Primary Section’s Annual Inter House Athletic Meet will be held at Henry Pedris Grounds on March 4 at 12.00 pm.

Facelift for CPC filling stations

Suraj A Bandara

All Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) filling stations will be equipped with latest oil pumps instead of old pumps abundantly used in the country.

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha directed CPC officials to instal new oil pumps since most CPC filling stations use old techniques in oil pumping.

These new oil pumps will be installed four filling stations initially to test their effectiveness. The decision was taken after a discussion between the Minister and CPC officials at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation yesterday.

The Minister said CPC filling stations should store sufficient oil to serve the clients.

Raids nab 422 offenders

A A L Diaz Matale district group corr

The Matale police anti-vice unit conducted a series of raids last year and arrested 422 persons for various illegal acts.

The suspects produced before Matale and Dambulla Magistrate Courts have fined a total of Rs 1,987,500.

They were charged for possessing ganja, heroin and other illegal brew while some were charged in connection with smoking in public places.

Fishermen to return home

Another 45 Sri Lankan fishermen who had been arrested for trespassing the Indian maritime boundary by the Andra Pradesh and Tamilnadu Officials will return to the island on March 4.

They have been freed by the Indian Authorities and will be handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy together with eighth fishing vessels, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development sources said.

First prize for Jaffna Telecom

The Jaffna Telecommunications service office has won the prize for earning the highest income earned from telephone calls issued in the North and Eastern Provinces. The Telecommunications Head Office has honoured the services of Jaffna Telecommunications office by awarding a prize.

Tanks overflowing

Amila Prabath Wanasinghe

Thirty four families have been displaced in Kebeitigollewa and Padaviya due to the flood waters of Moraoya and Bisokotuwa wewa, said a spokesman for the Anuradhapura district disaster relief centre. The Mahaolugaskada road too is under water obstructing vehicular traffic. Displaced families have been housed in temporary relief camps and provided with food and other facilities.

Talk

Dr Shasshikant Seth from India, a gold medalist on Japanese Touch Healing therapy will give a talk today (Wednesday) at the YMCA, Auditorium in Colombo Fort at 10.30 am on the use of Japanese Healing therapy for overcoming stress.

The talk is organized by the Women’s Auxiliary of the YMCA headed by Florence Lakdawala.

SL - Japan nite

The Sri Lanka–Japan Nite organised by the JICA Alumni Association of Sri Lanka, to enhance Cultural and Friendly ties between Sri Lanka and Japan, will be held on March 26, 2011, commencing 7.00 pm at the Auditorium of the Sasakawa Memorial Cultural Centre, Colombo 3. Presentation of Sri Lankan and Japanese cultural dances and songs is programed. Ambassador of Japan Kunio Takahashi will be the Chief Guest whilst Akira Shimura, Chief Representative, JICA, Sri Lanka Office, will be the Guest of Honour.

Applications for degree course

Applications are being called for the Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration postgraduate degree course program. This is being done by the Open University with a joint partnership with Commonwealth of Learning Centre.

Applications will be issued at the University Public Relations Unit and other regional units. The cutoff date for the handing over of applications will be March 21. Further details could be obtained, by contacting Open University Public Relations Unit on 0112881008 and 0112881327 or www.ou.lk.

Memorial Trust awards

The eighth annual awards ceremony of the K Sivagananathan Memorial Trust (KSMT) and the K Sivagananathan Memorial Oration jointly conducted by the Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka, will be held on March 9. International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Dr Koshy Matha as chief guest will deliver the Memorial Oration titled Prospects for Sri Lanka’s Economy. Central Bank former Governor and Finance Ministry former Secretary A S Jayawardena is the guest of honour.