Quick Look

Elephant bathing spot in Alawwa

A Keerthisinghe - Alawwa special correspondent

Tummodara in Alawwa, where Kuda Oya joins Maha Oya is a famous place for bathing elephants (Alinana Mankada). Most of mahouts from remote areas who take their elephants across Alawwa and used to bath their elephants in this place.

The tourist who goes to see the elephant orphanage across Alawwa used to stay on Alawwa bridge and see the elephants bathing.
 

Missing, help find

Kodituwakku Arachchige Vinitha (37) of 169/01 D, Parakandeniya, Imbulgoda is reported missing since her return from Saudi Arabia on March 21 according to a complaint made by her husband K P A P Ratnasiri.

She is 5 feet 2 inches tall, extremely fair, has long hair and a scar in the middle of her forehead.

Any information regarding her can be given to Ratnasiri at the above address or to the nearest Police Station, said Police Headquarters in a press release.

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Kadugath Devalage Priyantha Pathmini (36) and her son Wahumpurage Vihaga Gimhan (6) are reported missing from their home at no 41/01 Labugama Hattota according to a complaint made by Pathmini's husband W Dayaratne of the same address. Padmini is 5 ft 3 inches tall fair in complexion and has a lock of long hair.

 Gimhan is 3 feet and half inch tall, fair in complexion with hair cut short and has a scar on the centre of his forehead.

Any information regarding them can be given to Dayaratne on mobile 077-0396365 or the nearest police station, said police headquarters in a press release yesterday.

Help identify body

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has sent this picture of a Sri Lankan woman who has died in a hospital in Saudi Arabia while employed in that country following an illness. The Bureau seeks public information to help identify the body. Any information should be directed to the Bureau on telephone number 011-2864126 or 0112880500.





 

Archaeological conservation project launched

Mahaweli systems corr

A cultural project has been launched to conserve archaeological sites in Dambadeniya, Kurunegala, Panduvasnuvara and Yapahuwa.

Archaeological excavations began in Yapahuwa to commence the project. The conservation is carried out under the Archaeology Department's guidance.

Permanent houses for displaced

Govt takes initiative to provide houses:

The Housing Ministry and the Resettlement Ministry are jointly launching a special program to provide permanent houses to displaced persons in the North with the Government's initiative. Under this program construction work on the first project will commence in May this year in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. The Government plans to construct one thousand houses in five districts under the resettlement program.

These were disclosed at a discussion held in the Housing Ministry (06) between Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Resettlement Minister Gunaratne Weerakone. Minister Wimal Weerawansa disclosed at the discussion that a loan of Rs 200,000 will be provided to resettled families under this program. The Minister added that his Ministry was dedicated to provide permanent houses to the resettled families as it was important to resettle families freed from 30 years of cruel war.

Minister Gunaratne Weerakone said that his Ministry would allocate 100 million rupees for the construction of houses for the displaced persons under this program.

Hambantota development impresses British envoy

‘Invest without hesitation’:

Raja Waidyasekara Tissamaharama Special Corr

British High Commissioner John Rankin during a visit to Hambantota said he was highly impressed with the development which the city has achieved.

He added he will convey his satisfaction to his country’s investors, for them to invest in Hambantota without hesitation as it is a safe location. The High Commissioner visited locations where mega development projects were launched under the greater Hambantota development plan.

Blessings for Japanese people

A Bodhi Pooja was held at the Nivithigala, Kiriella Watta Purana Rajamaha Viharaya on Medin Full Moon Poya day to pray for the speedy recovery of the Japanese people who faced much hardship due to the earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan recently.

The religious ceremony was conducted by Viharadhpathi Ven Udawalawe Sumana Thera and organized by Ratnapura Praja Development Foundation.

Three-month religious ceremony

A three month religious ceremony to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi commenced at Yahamulla Sri Bodirukkaramaya on Medin Poya Day on June 15th and ends Poson Full Moon Poya Day.

Seth Pirith Chanting, bodhi pooja and aloka pooja are conducted daily by Yahamulla Bodhirukkaramaya Viharadhipathi Ven Yahamulle Anuruddha Thera.

2600 oil lamps will be lighted at the vihara premises and on road sides on Bak, Vesak and Poson Poya days.

New Year festivals

A. Keerthisinghe Alawwa Special Corr

Sinhala and Hindu New Year festival organized by Alawwa Sarasavi Kreeda Samajaya will be held at Bujjomuwa public ground on April 14.

Samanala Kreeda Samajaya Wariyagoda will organize its New Year festival at Wariyagoda junction on April 17.

Buddhist monk hospitalized after attack

Suraj A Bandara

A Buddhist monk was admitted to Dambulla hospital with severe head injuries following an attack yesterday. The incident had occurred when the monk attempted to settle a dispute between two groups.

According to Dambulla Base Hospital Police, the monk was identified as a teacher in a nearby school. According to initial investigations, the attack was the result of a personal dispute between the monk and several students who were allegedly involved in the attack.

The monk and a three-wheel driver whom the monk accompanied are under treatment at the Dambulla Base Hospital. The suspects have been identified and arrests are to be made. Dambulla Police are conducting investigations.

Electric fence for jumbos not effective

Mahaweli Systems corr

The electric fence built to stop elephants from reaching Ampara’s Puduvella and Samapura is not effective although the Ministry of Agrarian Services and Wildlife assures to repair it soon.

Lone elephant causes fear

Matale district group corr

Kayanwela residents urge officials to repulse a lone elephant roaming their areas. They say their complaints are not heeded by authorities.

The elephant is causing fear among residents who complain it is roaming the areas adjacent to the Sigiriya Sanctuary.

As the animal is frequently seen at the Kayanwela tank, villagers fear to go there for bathing and conduct other day to day activities.

Nabbed for killing wild boar

Matale district group corr.

A person who killed a wild boar in Sigiriya Sanctuary was taken into custody by a team of forest conservation officials attached to Sigiriya forest office. The dead animal’s weight was over 70 kilograms, according to officials. The suspect is a Kayanwela resident.

He will be produced before Dambulla Magistrate’s Court.

Tanks to be renovated

A Keerthsinghe - Alawwa special corr

North Western Provincial Council Agriculture Ministry has allocated Rs 500,000 to renovate Burusigoda and Hedipannala tank in Alawwa Agrarian Services Division.

Fined for drunk driving

Matale district group corr.

A motorcyclist was fined Rs 10,000 for riding his motorbike under the influence of alcohol and without proper documents.

He was arrested by Naula police and produced before Naula Magistrate Rangani Gamage.

Stamp to mark 50 years of first man in space

The Philatelic Bureau of the Postal Department will issue a circular-shaped postage stamp to mark 50 years since the first man in space this month.

This will be issued under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s patronage in association with Russian Federation Ambassador Vladimir P Mikhayalov and Postal Services Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga.

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin completed the world’s first space flight in the ‘Vostok 1’ on April 12, 1961. Veteran stamp designer, Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe has designed the stamp.

In addition to the stamp issue there is an Art Competition. Photographic Exhibition and many more events to be organised by the Russian centre in Colombo to celebrate 50 years of first man in space. For details contact, Russian centre on 0112685440, 0112686684 or [email protected]

Thilanga on Sports at Round Table

Thilanga Sumathipala, MP will be interviewed in the popular program in Prime & CSN TV on Thursday April 14 at 9.30 pm in the ‘Sports at Round Table’ program presented by Premasara Epasinghe and produced by Dilshan Pathirana.

This program will be re-telecast on Friday April 15 at 8 am and 11 am.

Dr. S. A. W. to be remembered

The late Dr S A Wickramasinghe founder of the Sri Lanka Communist Party and first leftist to be elected to the State Council in 1931, whose 110th birth anniversary falls on April 13 will be remembered at Matara by offering floral tributes at the foot of his statute at Hakmana Road, Matara

Buddhist discussion

The next Colombo YMBAs Buddhist Public Panel discussion will be held Sunday April 17 at 10 am at its Borella building on “Benefits of Buddhist Meditation here and now”. The Panelists are former Public Trustee and former Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Myanmar U Mapa, and former Secretary, Ministry of National Heritage Mallika Karunaratne with rajah Kuruppu as Moderator. All are welcome.”