Quick Look

Int’l Buddhist Centre in Manila

Rasika SOMARATHNA

A Sri Lankan initiative to establish Buddhist Centres and shrines overseas as a part of its programmes to mark the 2600 Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi was launched in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday.

On the occasion, the construction of the first overseas Buddhist establishment under the programme, an International Buddhist centre in Wisdom park, Manila began with Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne along with local officials and Maha Sangha participating.

Premier Jayaratne to mark the occasion planted a sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura at Wisdom Park, Manila, the Prime Minister’s office said.

IMF Chief resigns

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a statement dated on Wednesday that its managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn has resigned. Strauss-Kahn denied the charges in his letter of resignation, saying that “I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me.”

Death of Dinamina staffers grandmother

Caroline Hettiarachchi Balasuriya of Malabe has expired. She is the grandmother of Dinamina Provincial Editor Asiri Mallawarachchi. Funeral takes place on May 21 at 4 p.m. at the Thalangama North Cemetery at Talahena, Malabe. Cortege leaves residence at 3 p.m. from 326/1, Kaduwela Road, Malabe.

'Internship at NCP govt hospitals, a must'

Amila PRABATH WANASINGHE

Steps would be taken to make it compulsory for all Rajarata University Medical Faculty graduates to serve their internship in government hospitals in the North Central Province, said North Central Province Health Minister Peshala Jayaratne at the Pairikaduwa hospital in Thirappane, after conducting an investigation to ascertain the shortcomings there.

This is to solve the problem of doctors' shortage in the North Central Province hospitals.

About 150 physicians are short in the Province's government hospitals, Jayaratne said. He added that six hospitals have closed down due to this problem.

Dansalas checked for hygiene

W C B Fernando- Puttalam group corr

Hygienic conditions of food items in 602 dansalas carried out throughout the country to mark the Vesak festival were checked by Public Health Inspectors, said the Public Health Inspectors' Society Chairman G Upul Rohana. Over 150 Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) were utilized for this purpose.

In some cases the PHIs had to ban the food items, Rohana said.

However, legal action has not been taken against any person, he added.

Chetiya unveiled

Dehiowita - spl correspondent

A newly built chetiya at Rambukkana, Kempitikanda Sri Bodhirukkarama Purana Viharastenne was unveiled and a room to place to Sarvakgna dhathu and the vestibule was opened on May 8, to mark the 2600th Samuddhatva Jayanthi in the Kegalle district.

According to Kegalle district Assistant Chief Sanghanayaka Most Ven Ganghela Narada Mahanayake Thera, the cost for these was around Rs. 85 million which was donated by well-wishers of Rambukkana, Kandy, Homagama, Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Kollupitiya.

They also engaged in a shramadana.

Kotte Kalyani Sama Sri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha Ven Deputy Lekakadikari and Professor at Peradeniya University Kotapitiye Rahula Thera, Senior Lecturer on Buddhist Vision at Anuradhapura Bikkhu University Ven Homagama Dhammanada Thera, Chief Minister Maheepala Herath, Kegalle District MP Kanaka Herath and Chairman of Rambukkana PS Athula Handagama also participated.

Acting Postal Services Minister

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyedda as Acting Postal Services Minister. Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga is currently abroad.

Programmes to promote health

Edward Weerasinghe- Kelaniya Group Correspondent

A series of programmes have been planned to promote health conditions in the Western Province and to rehabilitate drug addicts.

Twenty five more seminars will be held in the future.