Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

President at Ranaviru Real Star contest

The finals of the first ever Ranaviru Real Star musical competition concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Here President Mahinda Rajapaksa receiving the scroll to mark the grand opening of the finals. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa are also in the picture.

One of the items of the show. Pictures by Sudath Silva

The national programme to provide aid for the development of 2600 Dhamma schools to coincide with the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi was held at the Gampola, Doluwa Divisional Secretariat office under the patronage of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne. Here Prime Minister Jayaratne making a donation to chief Incumbent of the Doluwa Sri Bimbarama Viharaya Ven Udagama Gnaneswara Thera.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa reopened Pigeon Island, the Marine National Park at Trincomalee for tourists on May 28. The public was unable to visit this island due to terrorist activities. Visitors can see rare coral reefs, as well as rare bird species and migrating birds in this historical island. Pigeon Island National Park is one of two Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka. Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Susantha Punchinilame and Finance Ministry Secretary Dr P B Jayasundara also participated. Picture by Chaminda Hittatiya

External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris presided over the plenary session of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday. He made use of the opportunity to have a series of intensive consultations, on the sidelines of the event, with foreign ministers of the several countries attending the summit. He had bilateral meetings, among many others, with Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa and South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maite Nkoana - Mashabane. Here, Prof Peiris at the commencement of bilateral discussions with Maite Nkoana - Mashabane.

Policemen donate blood

Five hundred police officers in the Batticaloa district took part in a blood donation campaign organised under the guidance of IGP Dr Mahinda Balasooriya.

This blood donation took place at the office of the Batticaloa district Superintendent of police with the sponsorship of Eastern Province Deputy Inspector General of Police Tilak Vijayawardena.

Police officers attached to 12 police stations in the district participated in this blood donation campaign which was also attended by the Blood Bank head in the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital and other hospital staff.

Income generating workshop for youth

Youth who underwent vocational training will be directed for income generation projects at a workshop to be held on June 1 at the Bauddha Mandiraya in Polonnaruwa.

A large number of youths after school education have had training at vocational training institutions throughout the country. These youths who have passed G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) or G.C.E. (Advanced Level) will be given an opportunity to obtain loans through the Central Bank to engage in income generating trades.

Loans will be made available to engage in income generating projects through the Central Bank Regional Development Department and other banks.

Clarification

Reference our news story on P-1 of the 'Daily News' of May 27, 2011, titled 'President stresses importance of effective public service', we had inadvertently and erroneously referred to a member of the Public Services Commission as Mohammed Nafiya. We wish to clarify that the name of the Commissioner concerned is A. Mohammed Nahiya and not Mohammed Nafiya.

Lankan fishermen in Indian custody

Ten Sri Lankan fishermen were taken into custody and their two vessels seized by the Indian coast guard (Eastern region) on Saturday.

''Chejana'' and ''Kulanputha'' vessels have been seized about 120 kms from Kakinada. The vessels had 5,000 kgs of fish on-board and they were being taken to the Kakinada Port for handing over to the Police.According to sources this is the eighth such apprehension of Sri Lankan fishermen and boats in 2011. To date, 17 boats with 84 crew and 18,900 kgs of fish have been seized.