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Office Bearers:

Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging

Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging held their Annual General Meeting recently and following office bearers were elected for 2011/2012.

President Dudley Thambinayagam
Deputy President J D C Perera
Imm Past President A K Ratnarajah
Chairman Packaging Development Centre Darmathilake Ratnayake
Vice Presidents Rohan Wijesinghe, Gamini Marambe, T L Chandrarathne, Rohan
Victoria and Thusith Wijesinghe.
General Secretary Anuradha Jayasinghe
Assistant General Secretary Nishan Perera,
Treasurer Hemantha Thannakoon
Assistant Treasurer Upul Abeywardena
Secretary Marketing Thushantha Karunanayake
Secretary Social Lakshan Pethiyagoda
Secretary Publicity Sohan Perera

Mobile Tourism Service in Negombo

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority with the facilitation and assistance from the Western Province Tourist Board conducted a Mobile Tourism Service in the Tourist Zone of Negombo in order to uplift the development programmes.

The main objectives of this event were to encourage the Home Stay concept for foreign tourists and register them with the Tourist Board, identify the tourist establishments in the region who are suitable to be registered with the Tourism Development Authority, issuance of new licences and identification cards to Tourist Service Providers, offer grants to Tourist Hospitality and Service providers to build the expected standard of Sri Lanka Tourism within the Negombo Tourist zone.

The mobile service was conducted within the tourist hotel zone/Lewis Place, Negombo on April 29 and 30 2011. There was also an open forum on how stakeholders can help develop Sri Lanka Tourism.

The main event of this programme was chaired by Tourism Minister for the Western Province, Nimal Lanza.

Rat fever patients rise in Wayamba

Ariyapala Wansathilake, Kurunegala Central Special - Correspondent

One hundred and ninety nine patients with rat fever are receiving treatment in provincial hospitals in Wayamba. Sixty three patients have been reported from Gamgamuwa, Ehatuwewa, Saliyapura and Ambanpola areas, sources said.

A Provincial Health Ministry Spokesman said medical teams are on alert while volunteers visited those areas and warned the public if they have any wounds or cut injuries, to take immediate medical treatment.

Milk powder price revision

The Consumer Services Authority has turned down a request by milk food importing firms to increase the price of a 400 g pack of dried milk food by Rs 36 and a 1 kilo pack by Rs 90 and allowed them to restrict the price increase of a 400 g pack to Rs 20 and a 1 kilo pack to Rs 49. Accordingly a 400 g pack of milk powder which was Rs 244 will now cost Rs 264 and a 1 kilo pack which was Rs 598 will now cost Rs 647, said a press release by the Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade.

The price revision was allowed considering the interests of the consumers and the increasing prices in the world market.

Transferred back

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of Strategic Studies was transferred back to the Ministry of External Affairs by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday, Bandula Jayasekera, Director General, President’s Media Division said.

Pinkama to mark

Sambuddhatva Jayanthi

A series of Pinkama to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Vesak Poya and invoke blessing on the country and people will be held at the Galwarama Sri Dhammodaya Pirivena under the patronage of Ven. Tumbulle Sri Dhammananda Nayake Thera from May 11 to 17.

The program will commence with the Sanghika Dana to 100 Bhikkus on May 11. This will be followed by daily Buddha pooja till May 17 and a unique Sambudu Guna Sangayana from morning to evening.

The program will conclude with a “heel dana” (morning meal) to Bhikkus on May 17 morning.

Maha Dharma Perahera

A Maha Dharma Perahera (procession) and Satyakriya organized by the Jathika Hela Urumaya to rally round with procedure for the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi and defeat the wicked Darusman report of Ban ki Moon who has been deceived by the ignorance and darkness of the Western Killer Forces will be held on May 3.

The procession will start off from near the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress headquarters, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo at 4.30 pm for the Satyakriya to be held at the Independence Hall and Independence Square said Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe, Media Secretary, Jathika Hela Urumaya.

Blood donation

The Kalutara South Police station has organized a Blood Donation Campaign on May 4 from 9 am to 4 pm, at the Police station premises, to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi.

Medical and non-medical staff of the Nagoda (Kalutara) General Hospital will participate in this meritorious deed.

Musical evening

‘Kapuge Piya Satahan’, a musical evening featuring the songs of late Musician Visharada Gunadasa Kapuge, organised byt he Employees Welfare Society attached to the SLBC ‘Raja Rata’ service will be held at the Raja Rata Service Open Air Theatre on May 4 at 7 pm.

Sisira Kumara Eppawala of the Raja Rata Sevaya will sing Kapuge’s songs backed by the Raja Rata Service musical troupe.

Trade exhibition and carnival at Mattakkuliya

Jubilee Mela 2011, a trade exhibition and carnival organised by St. Mary’s Youth Association in Mattakkuliya will be held from May 6-8 at Vystwyke Park, Mattakkuliya.

The exhibition and carnival is in aid of the Building Fund for renovations and repairs of St. Mary’s Church, Mattakkuliya which will celebrate its 150th year Jubilee in December this year, said the Parish Priest, St. Mary’s Church, Mattakkuliya, Rev. Fr. Calixtus Fernando.

Moon sighting conference

The moonsighting conference will be held on May 4, immediately after Salathul Magrib, under the auspices of the Colombo Grand Mosque at the Madrasathul Hameedia Hall, Colombo Grand Mosque. The Colombo Grand Mosque also requested the Muslim Public to look out for the New Moon of Jumahal Aakhira, Hijri 1432 from 6.19 p.m. on May 4, and to inform on 0115234044, 0112432110 or 0777366099 with reliable evidence and witness.