Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

President at NYSC Seela programme
President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in the Seela programme of 2,600 youth at the Maharagama National Youth Service Council (NYSC) yesterday. Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahpperuma, Tharunyata Hetak organization chairman MP Namal Rajapaksa and Youth Service Council chairman Lalith Pium Perera also participated in the event. Here, President Mahinda Rajapaksa arriving at the National Youth Service Council premises. Picture by Sudath Silva

President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiled a new Bodhi Prakaraya and Ranveta at the Sri Poorvarama Viharaya, Aluthgama-Bogamuwa, Kalagedihena yesterday on the invitation of Indigenous Medicine Deputy Minister Pandu Bandaranayake. Here, the President being conducted to the venue in the company of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Deputy Minister Pandu Bandaranayake. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

Wimal in NY for Vesak

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa left for New York on an official visit to attend the Vesak festival organized by the United Nations Organization.

The UN has organized the ceremony to commemorate the Vesak festival from May 16 to 22 at the UN Headquarters. This international Buddhist ceremony is organized by embassies of Buddhist countries including Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand etc. Representatives from these Buddhist countries have been invited for this ceremony.

Clarification

Further to our news story in yesterday’s Daily News page two titled: “Ready to assist Tea industry – Minister”, we have inadvertently stated Mr Lalith Obeysekere of Balangoda Plantations PLC and Angoda Plantations PLC. It should have read as Mr Lalith Obeysekere of Balangoda Plantations PLC and Madulsima Plantations PLC. We regret the error.

Free water for religious centres

Bulathsinhala Urban Foundation will provide free water to all religious centres in Bulathsinhala to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi. Bulathsinhala Maha Pirivena, Sri Buddhagosharamaya, Athura, Welgama Sri Subiksharamaya, Methodist Church, Millakanda Hindu Kovil, Athura Mosque and Kadanvadiya Milina Bodhiya will receive free water, throughout the year from May 17, 2011.

Relief Room closed on Friday

The Police Public Relief Room which functions at the Police Headquarters on Friday will be closed this Friday (20) due to the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

Sethsiripaya Vesak zone

The Ports and Highways Ministry has declared the Sethsiripaya complex and surroundings as a Vesak zone to mark the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

A Vesak lantern exhibition and competition will be held in the zone on May 17 and 18 as part of a Vesak programme. On May 20, a Bhakthi Gee programme will be conducted at Sethsiripaya with the participation of Bhakthi Gee troupes from all ministries and institutions.

Meanwhile, the Road Development Authority will rehabilitate a selected hospital in a remote area and conduct a street drama at the Battaramulla Jana Kala Kendraya to raise funds for the project.

MTV,MBC Vesak zone

The Capital Maharaja Organization including MTV and MBC has established a special Vesak zone, known as the ‘Sirasa Vesak Kalapaya’ to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

The Vesak zone will be held from May 17 to 19 around the organization head office Dawson Street at Braybrooke place.

Anniversary oration

The special anniversary oration ‘Promoting Financial Inclusiveness in the North and East - The Experience of Past Two Years’ by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal will be held at the Central Bank auditorium on May 20, at 3 pm.

Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Monetary Board Members and CEOs of Banks and financial institutions will participate.

Caught red handed

A suspect who was removing steel plates from the Chilaw-Puttalam railway line at Mundalama was caught red handed by the Mundalama Police who seized 32 steel plates from his possession on Sunday. The suspect was produced before the Puttalam district Judge. Police investigations are continuing.

Postal delivery by dept vehicles

Postal department now conducts postal delivery by a department vehicle from Batticaloa to Pottuvil-Panama. Earlier, mail was delivered using SLTB buses from Batticaloa to Pottuvil and by bicycle from Pottuvil to Panama.

Fined for indecent behaviour

Three suspects alleged to have behaved in an indecent manner in the Gampaha town under the influence of liquor were fined Rs 1,500 each by Gampaha Additional District Judge Indika Attanayaka.

Knocked down by lorry

A 70-year-old woman was killed and three were injured including a 13-year-old schoolchild when they were knocked down by a lorry while crossing the road at Kiran junction on Batticaloa-Valachchenai road, Sunday.

The victim was identified as Poopalappilai Kanahamba. The Vallaichenai police arrested the driver.

Request for O or B Positive kidney

Priyanthi Fernando of No 114/1, De Zoysa Road, Rawathawatte, Moratuwa is suffering from acute kidney failure with both kidneys being affected. She requests for an O Positive or B Positive kidney from a benevolent donor. Consultant Nephrologist Dr A L M Nazar has recommended immediate kidney transplant for which the cost has been estimated at Rs 1.3 million.

Those willing to contribute to her cause, are kindly requested to deposit contributions to Account No 0030-32546585-101 of Seylan Bank, Mount Lavinia Branch.

Dr Colvin R de Silva's 22nd death anniversary

The 22nd Death Anniversary of LSSP Leader and former Minister Dr Colvin R de Silva will be observed on May 22 at 9.30 am at the Agalawatte Auditorium.

Dr Colvin R de Silva who was the first chairman of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, rendered yeoman service to the people of this country as a cabinet minister and a leading lawyer. He excelled in many fields.

The commemoration lecture will be delivered by Professor of Politics of the Peradeniya University, Sumanasiri Liyanage.

Lectures on Dr Colvin R de Silva will also be delivered by Minister Professor Tissa Vitharana, Ministers Dew Gunasekera, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Mahinda Samarasingha.

Workshop

The Holycross Maha Vidyalaya in the Sammanthurai Education Zone, has launched a workshop to upgrade the mathematics progress level for G.C.E. Ordinary Level 2011 students.

Principal M.V. Kiristhuraja presided. A large number of parents were present at the inauguration event.

Sharddhanjalee today

The Sinhala National Service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation presents a well known lyric composer poet and a free lance journalist W K Sarath Wimalasiri through Shraddanjalee Programme from 12 noon to 12.45 pm today.

He makes an analytical presentation of the songs composed, based on various themes that come in Buddhist Literature.

Book donation

The Buddhist Association of China in collaboration with Sri Lanka China Friendship Association, has made arrangements to donate books to Dhamma Schools at 9.45 am at the Mahaweli Centre auditorium on may 19, 2011.

Minister on tour in Jaffna

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister WDJ Seneviratne will participate in a three-day official visit to Jaffna from May 19 to 21 to inspect the Divisional Secretariats and make the officials aware about their responsibilities.

He will participate in a special religious festival to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi at Nagadeepaya under his patronage. Minister Seneviratne will participate in several opening ceremonies, such as, Uduwil New Divisional Secretariat office, newly built Divisional Secretariat quarters complex in Point Pedro, tourist bungalow and professional training centre in Jaffna, and two Sewa Piyasa offices.

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