Quick Look

President participates in Avurudu transactions

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and sons Namal, Yoshitha and Rohitha Rajapaksa performed the New Year rituals at Carlton House, Tangalle on Thursday, to celebrate the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Here President Rajapaksa presenting gifts to children at the Tangalle People’s Bank as part of the New Year transactions. Picture by Sudath Silva

Govt. secures release of fishermen

Sri Lanka Navy assisted in the repatriation of eight Sri Lankan fishermen, who were released from the Indian custody on April 11.

The fishermen and five fishing boats were handed over to SL Navy officials by the Indian Coast Guard Ship, ICGS Vigraha, at the Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime.

They were brought to the KKS Harbour by Sri Lanka Naval Ship "Wickrema II" attached to the Northern Naval Command.

The early release of the fishermen and fishing boats by Indian authorities comes as a result of efforts made by the Sri Lankan Gover-nment.

Suren elected YMBA president

Suren Abeyagoonasekera was appointed as the 12th President of Colombo Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) at the Special General Meeting held at YMBA Hall, Borella on April 9, 2011.

Thanking the assembly Abeyagoonasekera said, "the YMBA was formed at the end of the 19th century, to protect Sambuddha Sasana from foreign aggressions, by eminent and learned group of Buddhist youth, and they later launched country's freedom struggle. They were not mere politicians, but patriotic statesmen..."

He further added, "...my destiny has bestowed an important duty on me, to lead this esteemed organization, to protect and nurture the YMBA, in the eve of Sambuddathva Jayanthiya, which will commemorate 2600 years of the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha..., and assured he will strive to uphold the Constitution, respected traditions of the institution, and expectations of all concerned..."

It's only a rumour

The Met Department yesterday scotched rumours of a possible tsunami heading for Sri Lanka and requested the public not to panic by these false rumours.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) claimed that certain individuals are spreading false rumours of a tsunami threat to the island. There is no such threat, confirmed the DMC Assistant Director, Pradeep Kodippili while adding that the Meteorological Department and the Center are continuously on alert.

Therefore, the public should not panic unnecessarily, he advised. "The Disaster Management Center units, which are operational 24 hours a day, will take measures to alert the public when the need arises."

Kodippili requested the people not to be tricked by these completely false claims being circulated.

The police will be informed regarding individuals spreading such bogus rumours to apprehend them, he said.

Amadahara from May 17 to 19

The Amadahara Sadaham Vesak event organized annually by Lake House in view of the 2600th Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi will be held from May 17 to 19 opposite Lake House.

The coupon to send entries to participate in competitions will appear in Lake House newspapers in due course.

Fined Rs 5,000

Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya Group Corr

Gampaha Additional Magistrate Indika M Attanayake imposed a fine of Rs 5000 on an accused named M M Wijeratne of Mudungoda, Gampaha who pleaded guilty to the offence of possession of 45 bottles of illicit arrack. Gampaha police prosecuted.

Dies in collision

Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya Group Corr

A motorcyclist who was returning home after 'hard day's work' died on the spot when his motorcycle collided with a container lorry at Hunupitiya on the Kiribathgoda-Wattala road, on Tuesday.

The deceased was Sanjaya Anuradha Meegoda (29) of Wewelduwa, Hunupitiya, Wattala.

Kiribathgoda police arrested the driver of the container lorry who was produced before Wattala Magistrate and remanded till April 25.

Buddhist talk

Bhikkuni Kusuma will deliver a public talk in English on 'Mulapariyaya Sutta' at the meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday, April 16 at 4.30 pm at the Maithree Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.