Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

A Memorandum of Understanding between the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka and the University of Colombo for the establishment of a Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies (CCIS) was signed on July 12, 2011 at the Ministry of External Affairs. Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo Prof Kshinika Hirimburegama and High Commissioner of India Ashok K Kantha signed the MoU in the presence of Minister of External Affairs Prof G L Peiris. Several Deans of the faculties of the University of Colombo and the Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs along with senior Ministry officials were also present.

A walk which began from Dondra to Jaffna to raise funds to build a paediatric cancer ward at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital has already reached Kurunegala. Here, members of the Aadhivasi community joining the walk. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

CEB nabs 350 power pirates

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had nabbed 350 people for obtaining electricity illegally and collected Rs 19,787,155.14 during June from offenders and collected Rs 3,705,000 as court fines. Of the 350 cases 228 were for altering meters while the rest from for using to obtain electricity illegally.

The Power and Energy Ministry yesterday urged the public to report fraudulent activities which include meter tampering and using hooks to the special investigations unit on 1987.

Timber racket busted

The Police Special Tasks Force yesterday handed over two suspects arrested over timber thefts in Udawalawe to the Timbolketiya Range Forest Office.

The two suspects were arrested on Monday near the 99th mile post on the Ratnapura - Ambilipitiya high way while they were transporting illegally-logged timber in a double cab truck.

The truck was loaded with pieces of teak.

There were 18 pieces valued at Rs 727,000.

Sale of rare Buddha statue stalled

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Central Province Anti-Terrorist Operations Unit arrested two persons allegedly masquerading as Buddhist monks, who supposedly planned to sell a centuries-old marble Buddha statue.

The statue weighs about 23 kilogrammes.

The suspects were arrested in Yatiyantota while trying to sell it to a prospective buyer.

They were caught while trying to ply their trade with a police officer who was posing as a buyer of artifacts.

Kandy Police are conducting investigations on the directions of DIG Nihal Samarakoon.

Mobile Consular Service postponed

The Mobile Consular Service organized by the Ministry of External Affairs which was scheduled to be held in Killinochchi and Mullaitivu today and tomorrow has been postponed. The new date will be notified later, states a release from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Maiden chariot procession

The maiden procession of the new chariot of the historic Shri Ramalinga Swamy Temple at Manawari, Chilaw is to be held today, Wednesday at this auspicious hour 9 am to 11 am.

This ancient temple's sanctum sanctorum is believed to be created by Lord Sri Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu and therefore dubbed Ramalinga Swamy.

Barath Night Programme

Al-Masjidul Badriyeen, Nawala Jumma Mosque, Rajagiriya, has made special arrangements to conduct Barath Night on July 17, 2011 after Mahrib prayers. "Yaseen" and "Dhuwa" will be recited by Mowlavi M.N.M.Fardy (Al-Husani and Aroosi). This will be followed by a talk on the significant of Barath Night by Al Haj Mowlavi A.B.M.Mubarak.

Drug peddlar nabbed

A.A.L. Dias- Matale district group corr.

Sigiriya Police arrested a drug dealer at Ederagala with 525 Mg of heroin, on a tip off. He was caught while trying to sell drugs. The other two suspects who were with him have fled away.

Get-together

A get-together of the 94/95 Batch of the Peradeniya University Arts Faculty will be held on July 16 at the Peradeniya Gal Bangalawa from 9 am to 4 pm. Further details from Athula 0714439299 or Vipula on 0714439002.

Kidney wanted

A.M.E.G. Ajantha Abeysinghe Banda, of Sri Lanka Army is suffering from a kidney failure and he has been recommended an urgent kidney transplant by consultant nephrologist Dr. A.H. Hewageegana MD.

The patient, a resident of Girandurukotte is receiving treatments at Army hospital Narahenpita. He seeks a O or A positive kidney willing donors could contact 0554902034 - 0728587771.

False promise for foreign employment

The Chilaw police are investigating to arrest a person who had taken Rs 190,000 from a youth promising foreign employment and duped him.

The Chilaw police had been informed by W. Sebasthian Fernando (45), a resident at Mugunuwatawana, Chilaw that the suspect had promised a foreign job to his son and was now avoiding him. The Chilaw police are investigating.

Pedestrian killed

A pedestrian succumbed to his injuries after being knocked down by a motorcycle plying on the Randeniya 7th mile post in the Wellawaya Police area.

The alleged motorcyclist had been taken into police custody and will be produced before the Wellawaya magistrate.

Certificate awarding

Certificates will be awarded to those who completed the Advanced Training Programmes in Human Rights and Fundamental Rights and Workers Rights today at 9.15 a.m. at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. These advanced training Programmes were conducted by the Centre for the Study of Human Rights.

Rhythm of Blues

Young artists of St Nicholas' International College, Colombo will take the stage once again and conclude the academic year with its annual year-end concert titled Rhythm of Blues on July 16 at 6 pm at the Bishop's College Auditorium.

Tickets for the show are on sale at the school at No. 54, Ward Place, Colombo 7 and will also be on sale at the gate. St. Peter's College Rector Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Lecture

Press, Educational, Cultural Affairs director of the United States of America Embassy in Sri Lanka Jeff Anderson will deliver a lecture on 'Opportunities for Youth in USA' at 5.30 p.m. today at MICH Hall, No. 7, Lily Avenue, Colombo 6.

This lecture is organized under the auspicies of the Foreign Relations and Cultural Affairs Committee of the Moor's Islamic Cultural Home under the chairmanship of MICH President Alhaj Omar Kamil.