Quick Look

Vesak celebrations:

Thera in Lebanon

Ven Dr Kanumuldeniye Sri Dharmasoka Nayaka Thera, Viharadhipathi of Nawa Polonnaru Gal Vihara, Dehiwela and the Director General of the International Vihara Foundation, left for Lebanon on May 20 to attend a series of Vesak programmes held to celebrate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

The Ven Nayaka Thera is due to visit Himachal Pradesh in India afterwards.

New chief for A’pura prison

Anuradhapura - Central special corr

Thusitha Udawara assumed duties as the new Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison and Open Prison Camp on Monday.

Cab explosion injures three

Asela Kuruluwansa

Two employees attached to a TV station, a cab driver and a naval cadre were injured and admitted to the Matale hospital following an explosion in a cab they had travelled at Karagastenna around 6.45 am yesterday. The three persons had boarded the cab which was parked after returning from an inspection of a TV transmission tower located in the area.

Since the engine had stalled, the driver had opened the bonnet of the vehicle to examine what was wrong when the explosion occured injuring all three. Matale police are investigating.

Accident

Tissamaharama Spl Corr

Drivers of two lorries died on admission to hospital after their lorries collided at Thanamalwila. This head on collision left an assistant of a lorry injured. He was admitted to Wellawa hospital and later to Hambantota Base Hospital.

Competition on environment

The Green Forest Association will hold their fourth annual competition 'Best Environmental Friendly School of the Year,' with the aim of promoting awareness among schoolchildren on conserving the environment and to reward those who do so. The school that wins first place will receive Rs 50,000, second place Rs 30,000, third will get Rs 20,000 along with trophies and projects. Applications will closed on June 15, 2011.

Blood Bank to register blood donors

The National Blood Bank making arrangements to celebrate World Blood Donors Day on June 14 has requested blood donors who have donated blood/platelets for over 30 years to register themselves with the blood bank by sending their names addresses, NIC and contact numbers along with photo copies of certificates issued by the blood bank on or before May 31. The details can also be sent to Fax No. 0112369937.

Further particulars could be obtained from telephone numbers 011 2369931-34

Two grenades found

Kelum Bodhimana Thihagoda special corr

The Weligama Police have discovered two grenades hidden under a boat in the Mirissa coastal area in Weligama. The two grenades were first detected by the Mirissa coast conservation officials who later informed the discovery to the Weligama Police.

The two grenades were defused later by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Boossa army camp.

The Weligama police said that no arrests had been made in this connection, but they were conducting further investigations.

Help little Diluka

K Diluka, two and half years old of Koratuwa Watta, Ovitigamuwa, Puhulwella in Kamburupitiya is diagnosed with acute Lymphoblastic Leaukaemia. She needs treatments for the next three years. Her father K Sunil is unable to bear the cost for the medicines and other essentials of the child and requests public assistance. Financial contributions can be made to Account No 133-200-120047198 at the People's Bank Kamburupitiya branch.

Needs help

Thusitha Shehara of Sagarapura, Paranakade, Beruwala is diagnosed with end stage renal failure and doctors have recommended a kidney transplant.

His father appeals donors for an O positive kidney. For information contact 034 2277968.

Forest officers bare timber racket

Suraj A Bandara

An illegal timber racket was uncovered in Pottuvil yesterday by the Lahugala Range Forest officers. They detected illegal Burutha timber logs in Pottuvil Forest Reserve with several suspects. Lahugala Range Forest Officer N L N Abeysekara told the Daily News that these timber logs were found on a search operation in the Lahugala Forest Reserve. The suspects were produced before Pottuvil Magistrate A J Alex Raja and fined. Range Forest officers H.P. Sugathapala and D.F.R. Roshantha conducted the raid.

Photo exhibition

The Embassy of the State of Palestine and the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine is organizing a photo exhibition and screening of a documentary film to mark the 63rd anniversary of Al-Nakba (The Palestinian refugees Catastrophe), which will be held on May 31 at the National Film Corporation at 6.30 p.m.

Pinkama

Priyanka Kurugala

A ceremonial placing of eyes (Nethra Prathistapana Pinkama)has been organized by the Devotees of the Biyagama, Hathlahagoda Shailaparwatharama Temple on May 28 to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

Accordingly, the placing of eyes will take place on an 18 cubit reclining Buddha statue at 8.15a.m on this day. This will be followed by the opening of a

newly constructed Sangawasaya and a sanghika dana to 50 Bhikkus and an all night Pirith chanting.

Novitiate programme

The Mahindarama novitiate programme on the theme “Leading Towards a Brighter Path”, in commemoration with the 2600th Sambuddatva Jayanti celebration, will be held at Gal Vihara, Rock temple, Polonnaruwa on May 29.