Quick Look

A series of Dhamma sermons were held for seven days under the instructions of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited Chairman and the Board of Directors. The Seventh Dhamma sermon was delivered yesterday (13), by Ven Suriyagoda Siri Dhamma Nayake Thera. ANCL General Manager Abhaya Amaradasa invites the Ven Thera to deliver the Dhamma sermon after offering a sheaf of betel. The Dhamma sermons were held by the Lake House Buddhist Society with the cooperation of various departments of Lake House. Picture by Nissanka Wijeratne

The Coca Cola Beverages Company will sponsor the official beverage at the Amadahara Vesak Zone organized by Lake House this year. The sponsorship cheque was handed over to the Lake House Editorial Director Seelaratna Senarath, by the Coca Cola Beverages Special Projects Manager Ranjith Edirisinghe at Lake House recently. Coca Cola Beverages Special Projects Executive Nalin Jayasekara and Lake House Special Projects and Periodicals Manager D S Ilesinghe is also in picture. Picture by Lalith C Gamage

All set for National Nutrition Month

All arrangements are being made to conduct the National Nutrition month in June this year under the theme 'Nutrition for all - play your role', said Nutrition Coordinating Director Dr Shanthi Gunawardhana.

June was declared the Nutrition Month by the Health Ministry Nutrition Coordinating Unit in 2010.

Banned fishing nets seized

W C B Fernando-Puttalam Group Corr

Officials of the Wayamba Provincial Fisheries Ministry's special operations unit and the Aquatic Development Authority have detected fifty banned fishing nets in the Inginimitiya reservoir.

The people in the area had informed the provincial Fisheries Minister Sanath Nishantha Perara that banned fishing nets were widely in use in the area which prompted him to direct the officials to make investigations. Legal action will be taken against the owners.

Conference for academics

A conference for Sri Lanka's university lecturers will be held today from 10 a m at Sri Lanka Central Bank's John Exter International Conference Hall.

The inaugural address will be delivered by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

Indian film forum

The Indian Cultural Centre Colombo will be launching its Film Forum today at 6.30 pm.

Eminent Indian film director Somnath Gupta will deliver the inaugural lecture titled 'Film: Medium and Message'. The event is organized with the support of SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo.

In addition to being a film director Somnath Gupta is also a media consultant and workshop facilitator.

CEB raids collect over Rs 10 mn

The Ceylon Electricity Board’s detection unit conducted emergency raids during the past month and detected 282 unlawful users of electricity and collected over Rs 10 million in fines.

The CEB has now turned into an organization which has zero losses.

Workshop for journalists

Bandara VIPULASENA- Vavuniya Central special cor.

A Three-day workshop for media personnel on post-conflict reporting was held in Vavuniya recently.

Dealing with socio-economic problems arising in the post-conflict situation was discussed.

Ranaviru Real Star

The Defence Ministry with the media sponsorship of the National Television Rupavahini has organized Ranaviru Real Star musical show on a concept of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The winners are elected by SMS votes from viewers. The Dialog Telecom Institute also supports this programme. Over one million SMS responses have been received last week.

‘Mahapola’ to develop schools

W.P. Dharmasena - Matara group

The Mahapola Scholarship Fund will provide nearly Rs 27 million for development work in Matara Rahula Vidyalaya and the Matara Central College. Over Rs 20 million will be provided for the modernization of the main hall and nearly Rs 4 million to renovate the swimming pool at Matara Rahula College.

Over Rs seven million has been set apart for Matara Central College play ground restoration.

New water pumps installed

W P Dharmasena -Matara Group

The Irrigation and Water Management Ministry has taken action to install new water pumps replacing those which were over twenty five years old. Accordingly, 13 new water pumps will be installed this year at a cost of Rs 234 million.

Authorities have taken measures to reinstall two water pumps this year in the Thudawa Pumping Station as four of the eight pumps had not been functioning properly. In addition, three pumps have been replaced in the Magollagoda Pumping Station.

Action has also been taken to reinstall two pumps in the Thalgahagoda Pumping Station.

Manufacturing compost fertilizer

M I M Azhar- Maligaikadu Group corr.

The Sainthamaruthu Agriculture Extension office has implemented a project to manufacture compost fertilizer which commenced in Sainthamaruthu.

According to Ampara district Agriculture Deputy Director A R A Latheef, hard waste matter collected from Sainthamaruthu and Maligaikadu areas are to be recycled and converted into compost in the Agriculture Extension Centre.

There is a high demand for carbonic manure among paddy farmers and home gardening farmers in the Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretariat area.

BOI religious programme

BOI Zonal Office Staff at Katunayake Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), in collaboration with the BOI Enterprises have organized a series of religious events to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

A Dhamma sermon will be delivered by Ven Dr Teripehe Siridhamma (MA) of the historic Keragala Maha Pirivena from 4.00 pm on May 16 at the BOI Office. A Vesak lantern exhibition will be held from May 17 to 19 and Buddhist devotional songs competition will be presented by the BOI factory employees from 7.00 pm on May 17.

Buddha Relics Exposition

An exposition of sacred Buddha Relics will be held on May 16 from 1.00 pm to 10.00 pm at the Kelaniya Toxic hospital to mark the Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

The Relics of Arahants Seevali and Ananda will also be displayed under the patronage of Ven Pitiduwa Dhammika and Ven Kotagala Chandarathana.

A series of pinkamas will also be held.

President at Hindu College

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the chief guest at the diamond jubilee celebrations of Hindu College, Bambalapitiya on May 15.

Joes OBU family mass

The monthly family mass organized by the Class of 71 of St Joseph's College Old Boys Union will be held on May 15 at 8.30 am followed by fellowship and breakfast.

Public lecture

A public lecture on Chemical Measurements for our future to mark World Meteorology Day which falls on May 20 will be held at the Industrial Technology Institute, 363 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, from 4 pm to 5 pm.

The lecture will be delivered by Industrial Technology Institute Director and CEO Dr A M Mubarak.

Dullas on Rupavahini

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma will deliver a lecture on, Is Sri Lanka's attitude against terrorism a challenge to the International, over Rupavahini on May 15 from 8 a.m to 9 a.m.

Mobile service

Hemanthi GURUGE

A special mobile service will be held at Manipay Hindu College to issue temporary identity cards, birth marriage and death certificates to the people in the Manipay division in the Jaffna district.

The event will be held tomorrow from 8.30 a.m to 4.30 p.m.

This mobile service being carried out by the Manipay Police station will cover over 17 Grama Niladhari divisions.

Spectacles will also be distributed among the neady.

Help her stand on her own feet

M. Vithanage (69) of 357 Southern Park, Thalpavila Devinuwara, Matara is suffering from severe osteoarthritis on her right knee joint and is bed-ridden. Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. A.D.M. Jayasekera has recommended total knee replacement surgery to care her and make her walk. The apparatus needed and expenses will cost Rs. 350,000.

Vithanage’s daughter Sujeewa Ranatunga says being a widow having three children , she is unable to foot the bill. She requests the public to assist her mother’s cause by sending whatever financial contributions.

Contributions can be remitted to account number 1680639 opened in the name of V. Magilin at the People’s Bank Matara branch.

Power pirates fined

P. P. G. Sugathadasa- Thihagoda group correspondent

The Ceylon Electricity Board’s Special Investigation Unit has collected over five million rupees as fines and compensations from power pirates during raids carried out last week. According to the CEB, raids were conducted in Kalmunai, Pottuvil and Akkaraipattu on the Eastern region. One hundred and eighty one illegal incidents including 38 incidents of manipulating electricity meters and 143 illegal connections were detected.

Funeral of L.C. Seneviratne, PC

Members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, are requested to assemble at the main entrance to the General Cemetery Kanatte at 4 pm on Saturday, May 14, 2011, to receive the cortege of Lakshman Chandra Seneviratne, President’s Counsel, Former Deputy President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, to pay their respects and to accompany the cortege upto the crematorium.

Cyclist knocked down

A cyclist knocked down by a private bus near Wadduwa public playground junction on Galle Road succumbed to his injuries on admission to the Panadura hospital on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Gamage Sunil Shantha Perera of Molligoda, Wadduwa.

The alleged bus driver was produced before the Panadura Magistrate and released on bail.

Wadduwa police are investigating.

Sil campaign

The Labour and Labour Relations Ministry will hold a sil campaign jointly with the Labour Department and the Employees Trust Fund Board at the Labour Secretariat to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya on May 14.

Lecture

An Islamic lecture on Parenthood will be delivered by Sheik Mufthi M H M Yoosuf (Abu Umar) after Isha prayers on May 21, 22 and 23 at Majmaul Khairath Mosque, Colombo 4.

SLMC conference

The 23rd Delegates’ Conference of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress will be held at Vavuniya New Town Hall tomorrow at 2 pm. Around 2,000 delegates will participate in the conference from all over the country where the new high command of the Party will be introduced. Few amendments to the party constitution will also be made. The Working Committee will also be nominated.

Pinkama

The annual Pinkama organized to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and parinibbana of the Buddha, the birth of the Sri Maha Bodhi and the proclamation of Anuradhapura as a Sacred City will be held near the Sri Maha Bodhi and Anuradhapura Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya on May 16 and 17, said Jayanthi Viharadhipati Ven Nugetenne Pannananda Nayaka Thera.

Man with rare owls fined

Samanthi WEERASEKERA

Kandy Magistrate S U B Karaliyadde imposed a Rs 20,000 fine on a person who was found guilty of breeding two owls of a rare species.

The businessman from Pilimatalawa was taken into custody by the Kadugannawa police together with the two owls and produced before Court.

The Magistrate ordered the police to hand over the two owls to the Wildlife Department.