Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa who is the Principal of the Carlton pre-school in Maligawatta being led by its students for the kiddies Bak Maha festival at the Stanley Janz playground at Kollupitiya. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Christine Robichon were the chief guests. The event featured many traditional Avurudu games together with a cultural show and pony rides.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne unveils a plaque after opening a branch of the People’s Bank at Pussellawa town recently. Chairman, People’s Bank W Karunajeewa was also present.

Physiotherapist, Jaliya Uduwella attached to the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital presented his latest book on Physiotherapy titled ‘Nirogi Diviyakata Bhauta Chikithsava’ to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena at his Ministry recently. Director, Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital Dr Ratnasiri Hewage was also present.

Request for blood

Anjana Lakshan Piyaratne a 13-year-old student of Ananda College, Colombo is suffering from Leukemia and needs urgent blood transfusion. The boy is warded at ward No 17 of the National Cancer Hospital, Maharagama.

Anjana's blood group is AB - Negative Donations can be made to the blood bank, Cancer Hospital, Maharagama.

Malaria patients rise

There has been an increase in Malaria patients reported thoughtout the island, Regional Health Services Director, Hambantota, Dr Suranga Dolamulla said.

According to him, 197 patients were reported in 2007, 670 in 2008, 558 patients in 2009 and 684 patients in 2010.

Meanwhile, two patients were reported in 2007 in the Hambantota district, 17 in 2008, 101 in 2009 and 75 patients in 2010. Five patients were reported upto April this year.

Random blood tests are done at Hambantota and Embilipitiya hospitals, Dr Dolamulla said.

He said that medicated mosquitoe nets were distributed among people in Malaria prone areas.

Fuel sales increase

The fuel usage in the Jaffna district has not decreased inspite of the rise in the price of fuel. On an average 1.5 million litres of petrol is sold through the fuel stations, said a spokesman of Jaffna district Petroleum Corporation. He said the fuel sales have increased by fifty percent when compared with last year's sales. The sale of diesel is about five million litres a month.

Mammoth rice processing centre, closed

The Pannegamuwa mammoth rice processing centre which was kept closed for some time, is now functioning.

It was opened in 1997. The paddy bought from farmers and stored by the Paddy Marketing Board were being processed at this Paddy Processing Centre.

Three children drown

Three children died yesterday when they drowned at Belihuloya river, Padiyapelella, Hanguranketha.

They were two boys and one girl, residents of Borella and Boralesgamuwa aged between 14 to 18. They had gone to visit relatives as part of New Year tradition.

According to police, the children were bathing when they fell into deep running water.

New babies for New Year

On New Year’s day, 31 babies were born at the Matara General Hospital, according to the Directress of the Matara General Hospital Dr S Samarakoon.

Easter music: Hosanna to the King

The Choir of St. Peter’s College, together with the Peterite Chorale will celebrate Easter, the traditional way - raising their voices in praise and worship during ‘An evening of Easter music - Hosanna to the King’ at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 24 at the College Chapel, Colombo 4.

Easter Programme

The Blessed Sacrament Community of St Philip Neri’s Church, Pettah, Colombo 11, will have their Holy Week services in English (unless otherwise indicated) as follows:

5 pm – Holy Mass for workers, 6.30 pm – Holy Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed by Holy Hour, 8.30 pm – Holy Hour (Tamil).

Meditation on the Lord’s Passion – 8.30 am Tamil, 10.00 am English, 11.30 am Sinhala.

2.00 pm – Way of the Cross, 3.15 pm – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, April 23 – Holy Saturday 7.00 pm. Easter Vigil.

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