Quick Look

Protests close Eastern University

Dinesh DE ALWIS

The Eastern University has been closed indefinitely due to students' protest. Students have urged the University administration to remove the Police post within the University premises at Chenkaladi.

Agriculture, Arts, Science and Commerce Faculties have been closed while the Medical Faculty in Trincomalee is functioning, said Acting Vice Chancellor Dr K Premkumar.

Jaffna University gets first female Chancellor

Jaffna University's Ninth Vice Chancellor Professor Wasanthi Arasaratnam assumed duties yesterday. She is the first ever female Chancellor of the University.

In the election held among the academics of the University, Arasaratnam became first. Her name was nominated to the President for appointment to this prestigious position. There were eight contestants in the election. Based on the recommendations made by the University, the President has appointed her as the Jaffna University Vice Chancellor. She was the Dean of the Medical Faculty of the Jaffna University. news.lk

Japan aids water project

Batticaloa Corr

A drinking water project has been initiated in the Karadiyanaru area in the Batticaloa District with Japanese Government assistance.

The inaugural function was held recently under the patronage of Eravur Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman S Jivarangan.

The Japanese Organization JICA has provided Rs 20 million for the project which is capable of providing drinking water to more than 500 families in the area.

New legal secretariat unit

Ariyapala WANSATHILAKE - Kurunegala Central Spl Corr

Wayamba Provincial Council Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe opened a new Legal Secretariat Unit at the Wayamba Provincial Council recently.

The ceremony was held at the Lichchavi Hall headed by Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe. Former High Court Judge of Kurunegala, Gamini Waththegedara, Provincial Agriculture Minister D B Herath, Proovincial Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Asoka Wadigamangawa and several lawyers of the Kurunegala Law Society participated.

Teledrama actor remanded

Ariyapala WANSATHILAKE- Kurunegala Central Spl Corr

Kurunegala Chief Magistrate Buddhika Ragala, yesterday remanded a teledrama actor of Katupotha Wariyapola D K Udayasiri alias (Kopi Kade Podi Hamudurwo).

According to the police, he had tried to enter the Court premises without permission. When questioned, he had abused the police officers who were on duty.

The police had produced him before Court and informed the Magistrate that suspect was alleged to have been involved in a number of financial frauds in the area and several court cases were pending against him.

Cricket chat on ITN Vasantham channel

The ITN Vasantham Channel will telecast a special cricket chat program today at 11 am A H M Azwer MP will participate in this program which will be compered by J Yogaraj. It is produced by ITN Tamil Unit Director Murugesu Kulentharan.

Azwer said that Tamil commentaries were made available specially to Tamil listeners in Sri Lanka in keeping with the concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to popularize cricket particularly in the North and East.

Prayers for SL team

The International Assembly of YMMA Sri Lanka will pray for the Sri Lanka Cricket team's victory at today's ICC World Cup final.

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Deputy Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Chairman Basheer Segudawood said he will pray for Sri Lanka's victory at the World Cup Final in Mumbai, India.

He called upon the country's Muslims to pray for Sri Lankan cricketers to bring glory to Motherland.

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Dr M G M S Zurfich said a holiday should be declared if Sri Lanka wins the World Cup today.

All Sri Lankans should thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for getting the ICC to accept Sri Lanka as a venue for some of the important matches to be played during the ongoing World Cup, he said.

Dr Zurfich also said all Sri Lankans pray for a Sri Lankan victory.

Dhamma classes at YMBA

Colombo YMBA will commence Dhamma and Abhidamma classes in English medium at YMBA Head Office in Borella every Saturday at 3 pm to commemorate The Buddha's 2600th year of enlightenment.

Classes will be inaugurated on April 2 at 2.30 pm. Colombo YMBA President Suren Abeygoonasekera will preside. Renowned Dhamma teachers P Mahanama, P Wattegama, Jaliya Ekanayake and Metta Fernando will conduct classes.

Over 30 students including doctors, engineers and company directors attend this one-year course.

Prescribed textbooks for Dhamma and Abhidhamma Examination can be purchased from the YMBA bookshop and Third Floor, YMBA building at nominal prices.

AGM, annual sessions

The Annual General Meeting and Annual Sessions of the Population Association of Sri Lanka will be held on April 2 from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

World Bank Senior Health Nutrition and Population Specialist Dr SS Gopalan will be the chief guest. Dr ATPL Abeykoon will deliver the key note address.

Krishnamurthi talks

Krishnamurthi Centre, Sri Lanka has organized recorded public talks by J Krishnamurti.

April 03 at 10.30 am: Is Freedom a matter of time? Study Centre, Beddagana, Duwa Road Kotte.

April 10 at 9.45 am: Can I strip myself of the network of language? Anula Nursery School, 310 Highlevel Road Colombo, and April 24 at 9.45: How is one to have Complete order? Anula Nursery School.

Get-together

A get-together organized by Mawathagoda Rivisanda Central College, Kurunegala Past Pupils' Association will be held on April 9 at 9.30 am at Ambasevana Walawwa Hotel, Ussaptiya.

Charitha Atak at Bishop's

Wilson Gunaratne's newest comedy Charitha Atak will go on boards on April 3 at 6.00 pm at the Bishop's College, Colombo Auditorium.

The cast includes Wilson Gunaratne, Gamini Hettiarachchi, Harry Wimalasena, Suresh Weththasingha, Lanka Wijewardana, G Chandrathilak, Wijerathna Nawullage and Kasun Chamara.

Music is by Osanda Yasas Sri and script by Wilson Gunaratne and G Chandrathilak.

Charitha Atak is presented by Lankan Cricket club as a fund raiser.

Fire guts 19 line rooms

Samanthi WEERASEKARA

A fire which occurred in the Lanka division of Glentilt Group, Maskeliya gutted 19 line rooms.

Police investigating the incident believe that the fire was caused due to an electrical short circuit.

Vegetable usage up

The vegetable consumption level of the Matara district has been rising rapidly. The consumption by the people of Matara has increased by 30 percent according to Matara Deputy Agriculture Director Senani de Silva.

He said the people of Matara have given priority to their own vegetable cultivations by way of home gardening. This home gardening projects had helped the people to get a better income.

Women even in towns were cultivating vegetable in their gardens, according to the Deputy Director.

IGP’s Public Day again

The IGP’s Public Day which was suspended on account of the local elections was resumed from yesterday. The public can once again meet the IGP every Friday except public holidays from 9 am to 1.30 pm to get their grievances redressed, said police headquarters in a release yesterday.

Horana Sri Palee Campus opens FM radio service

Milton Dharmasinghe Bulathsinhala Spl Corr

The first University FM radio service in Sri Lanka was declared open at Horana Sri Palee Campus on Thursday (31) by Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama. This FM service can be heard on FM 96.1 meters or through www.campusradio.lk. The programs of this radio service are managed and produced by Sri Palee Campus staff with the fullest cooperation of the people of the area.

Attackers remanded

Puttalam Group Corr

Four suspects produced before the Chilaw Magistrate R M Jayawardene in connection with the alleged assault on a team of Consumer Affairs Authority officers during a raid on a hotel were remanded till April 7 pending an identification parade.

Van-bus collision

Matale district group corr

A van and a CTB bus collided at Pahalawewa on the Dambulla-Kurunegala main road injuring two persons seriously.

The injured were identified as U Senaviratne (45) and his 12-year son Samalika. Police investigations revealed that they were on the way to Battaramulla from Galenbidunuwewa area. The driver was taken into custody by Galewela police.

Residential change for criminal

Kapila SOMARATNE-Panadura group correspondent

Panadura Provincial High Court Judge Amal Thilakaratne directed the prisons commissioner general to transfer a hardcore criminal from the Kalutara Prison to the Colombo Remand Prison.

Kalutara prison superintendent Lamahewage Emil Rangan submitting an official report to the court requested the court to transfer the suspect who is sponsoring Heroin Business with outsiders.

Rebeca needs help

The father of 2 1/2-year-old Rebeca, who is suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and who requires three insulin injections daily under the Blood Glucose Monitoring Unit, solicits for financial help from the general public as he is unable to meet the costs of the drugs which are costly. As they are daily paid labourers and earn a mere pittance, they are compelled to depend on charity for their child's survival.

Considering this pathetic situation, the child's father earnestly request the public to contribute to this worthy cause. Monies could be remitted to V Y Laurence, A/c No 8667693, Bank of Ceylon, Talawakele branch.

Extortion gangs on private buses

Extortion gangs have become a serious menace to private bus crews operating in Anuradhapura and Sub urban areas in recent times. NCP Road Transport Authority Chairman Upali Dissanayake said these gangs who according to their whims and fancies to even change bus time tables.

Donation

The Lion Ladies of District 306 B2 will present an Ophthalmic Laser machine to the Lions Golden Jubilee Eye Hospital, Kadawatha on April 3 at 10.00 am.

The cost of the machine is Rs 5.5 million.

Training centre opening

Fully equipped vocational training centres will be opened at Padiyathalawa and Savindamwadu in the Ampara district on April 5 by the minister by Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.

The centres will have courses on computer technology, beauty culture, motor mechanism, dress making and language training.