Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

Members of the Jathika Hela Urumaya participating in a Satyakriya at Independence Hall, Colombo on Tuesday to protest against the controversial Darusman report. The participants came in procession from opposite the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress premises, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo. Picture by Nissanka Wijeratna

Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. Ambassador to Japan in Sri Lanka Kunio Takahashi, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Karunatilaka Amunugama were also present. Picture by: Sudath Silva

Express Newspapers Chairman, publishers of Virakesari Kumar Nadesan presenting President Mahinda Rajapaksa with a special volume to mark 80 years of continued publication of the Virakesari. This volume comprised the front pages of the newspapers on special, local and international events of importance. The presentation was made to mark the World Press Freedom day. Virakesari daily Chief Editor R Prabaghan, Virakesari weekly Editor in Chief V Thevaraj and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were also present. Picture by Sudath Silva

Thirty eight water pumps and sprinkler sets were awarded to farmers at a function held at T2VCHI National School Hambantota by Namal Rajapaksa MP. The donation was funded by the Chinese government. Raja Waidyasekera, Tissamaharama special corr

Appeal for kidney

Kanthi Weerakkody, mother of two of Veyangoda has been warded at Lanka Hospitals in a critical condition. Her doctor Sujeeth Somiah (Consultant Nephrologist) has recommended an urgent renal transplantation to save her life.

Her husband, Weerakkody requests donors to donate O positive kidney to perform the surgery.

Wild jumbo census in August

A census on wild elephants will be held for the first time in August 2011, a spokesman for the Wildlife Conservation Department said yesterday.

"We are holding the census in August because it is the dry season. The number of elephants coming to water holes will be added," he said. The spokesman also said that officials would look for alternative methods of calculating the number of elephants if the weather patterns do not allow them to count the animals properly.

Unveiling of pinnacle

A 200-year-old chetiya at Wilpita Sri Wijayasiribimbaramaya, Akuressa is to be adorned with a pinnacle with a crest gem on May 6 to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi.

Schols for estate workers' children

Applications are invited from the children of estate workers for award of scholarships by the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET).

The scholarships are available for GCE Advanced Level, undergraduate courses and for students undergoing vocational technical education in any of the Government Technical Colleges.

Students who have passed the GCE Ordinary or Advanced Level Examination with either Mathematics or Arithmetic and below 25 years are eligible to apply.

Farmers request for seed paddy

The Anuradhapura District Farmer Organizations urge the authorities to take immediate steps to provide farmers with seed paddy subsidy.

Funds for road renovation

The renovation of the Kahatagasdigiliya-Ranmalgawewa road in the Horowpothana electorate has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 60 million.

Financial allocations have been made for the renovation programme on a request made to the President by Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena.

National Thalassaemia day

The National ‘Thalassaemia Day’ will be celebrated at the North Western Provincial Council New Auditorium on May 9, at 9.30 a.m. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa will be the chief guest.

Prize giving

The Kurunegala District Ahadiyah school’s prize giving ceremony will be held on May 7, at 9 am, at the YMBA Hall Kurunegala. A.H.M. Azwer MP will be the chief guest.

Buses damaged in shooting incident

Three private buses were damaged in a shooting incident at the 19th kilometre post at Mulatiyana around 2 a.m. yesterday. There were no casualties. Suspects involved in the shooting have still not been identified. Mawarala Police are investigating.

Lorry transporting timber seized

Chilaw Police seized a lorry transporting a stock of timber without a permit at Mahagama on Tuesday and arrested one suspect in this connection. The suspect was due to be produced in Court yesterday. Investigations are continuing.

CEA revenue up

The income of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has increased by 80 percent during the financial year ending March 31, 2011 following steps taken by the CEA to collect all licence fees due to it, the Chairman of the Authority Charitha Herath said. Speaking to the Daily News the CEA Chairman said that, a large numbers of industries which have operated in contravention of CEA regulations during last year and have now fallen in line providing the CEA with a healthy income, he also said.

Former PM's B'day today

Former Prime Minister and Good Governance and Infrastructure Facilities Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka's 79th birthday falls today (May 05). Born on May 05, 1933 at Millewa, Horana, he entered active politics on March 19, 1960. Minister Wickramanayaka who was a Member of Parliament held a number of Ministerial portfolios and became a Prime Minister of this country on four occasion. The Daily News wishes a happy birthday to Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka who celebrates his 79th birthday today.

New Senior Advisor to President

Former Minister Milinda Moragoda has been appointed as Senior Advisor to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

National Adhishtana Pooja

The National Adhishtana Pooja will take place at Independence Square on May 06 at the auspicious time of 6.46am. The walk will commence at 4pm on the same day at John de Silva Memorial Hall.

The National Adhishtana Pooja program will take place at 5pm after the walk approaches Independence Square.

This event organised by the Janapavura Foundation will be attended by more than one thousand artistes and scholars.

All those wish to participate are required to be present at John de Silva Memorial Hall at 3pm on May 6.

Get Together

The Old Boys Association of St. Aloysius College, Galle - Colombo Branch will hold their annual Avurudhu get together on Sunday May 8 2011 at the Buddhadasa Stadium Rajagiriya from 9.30 a.m onwards.

The Past Pupils Association of Sacred Heart Convent Galle will also participate at this event.

Dharmadesana

A series of Dharmadesana will be held at the Mallikaramaya, Ratmalana daily at 6.30 pm from May 10 to 16 to mark the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

The program is held under the patronage of Ven Agga Maha Pandita Weligama Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera of the Amparapura Sri Dhammarakshita Maha Viharaya.

Prize giving ceremony

The 14th annual prize giving ceremony of the Kottawa Dharmapala Vidyalaya will be held in the National Youth Service Council in Maharagama on May 6 at 1.30 pm. Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene will be Chief Guest of the ceremony. Western Province Education Director P.N. Ailapperuma and Zonal Education Director O.M.V.P. Mudalige will also participated in the ceremony.

Public talk

Samudra de Zoysa will deliver a public talk in English on 'Avijja Paccaaya Sankara in Dependent Origination' at the meeting of the Servants of Buddha Society on Saturday, May 7 at 4.30 pm at Maithree Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Annual sessions

The Ceylon Artillery Association will hold its 53rd annual sessions on May 8 at the Sri Lanka Artillery Regimental Headquarters, Panagoda. Transport for the Association members has been arranged from the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association headquarters at Bristol Street, Fort, Colombo 1 at 9.30 am.

Seminar

A one day seminar for journalists of the Nuwara Eliya district will be held at Divisional Secretariat auditorium, Nuwara Eliya on May 8 at 9 am.

BASL discussion on Darusman Report

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will discuss further, the controversial Darusman Report at its Bar Council Meeting on May 7 at 10.30 am at the Bar Association Auditorium of Sri Lanka at No. 153 Mihindu Mawatha, Colombo 12.