Quick Look

Buddhist conference

The seventh National Conference on Buddhist Studies organized by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Sri Jayewardenepura University in association with the Buddhist Times Trust will be held on December 10-11.

The conference theme is Buddhist Studies for a Knowledge Society.

Papers can be presented in English or Sinhala. Abstracts of papers should not exceed 300 words and must include title, author(s), affiliation, address, Tel/Fax and e-mail address. Abstracts should be sent by e-mail to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] attachment in Word or by fax to 2803196 or by post to the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Sri Jayewardenepura University, Nugegoda.

Deadline for submission of abstracts is November 1.

The notification of acceptance is November 10 and the submission of full papers is December 1.

Seminar on vaccines

The Vaccine Forum of Sri Lanka will hold a seminar on vaccines for doctors on October 11 from 8.30 am to 1 pm at the Sri Lanka Medical Association auditorium, Wijerama Road, Colombo 7.

The programme highlights are presentations on Pneumococcal diseases in children and its prevention by Prof Sanath P Lamabadusuriya, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics, University of Colombo, Combination paediatric vaccines by Prof R Bhaskar Raju, Professor and Head of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Chennai, India, Biting back at Rabies : Disease burden in Asia and strategies for prevention by Dr Ammar Raza, head of medical affairs, Novartis vaccines, India, Vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer by Dr Kanishka Karunarathne, Consultant Oncological Gynaecologist, National Cancer Institute, Maharagama, Impact of varicella zoster and its prevention by Dr Neelika Malavige, Consultant Immunologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and Adverse effects following immunisation by Dr Ananda Amarasinghe, Consultant Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.

The Secretary of Health, Dr Ravindra Ruberu will be the Chief Guest and the representative of the World Health Organization for Sri Lanka Dr Firdosi Rustom Mehta will be the Guest of Honour at the event.

Needs kidney

A A Rex Perera, 59, of 650 C3, Kapuwewa Road, Ragama is suffering from end stage renal failure. Consultant Nephrologist Dr Anura Hewageegana has recommended an urgent kidney transplant to save his life. Perera has requested a kind donor willing to donate a 'AB', 'o', 'A' or 'B' group kidney to facilitate the operation to contact Randika Perera on 0777 677955 or 0114564872 immediately.

Hindi Rasanjali

The Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo will hold an evening of music, poetry and dance presented by the Hindi students of Indian Cultural Centre on October 12 at 6 pm at its Cultural Centre, 16/2, Gregory's Road, Colombo 07.

The students of the Indian Cultural Centre Colombo will put up plays in Hindi, sing Hindi songs, present speeches in Hindi and dance to Hindi songs showcasing their talents.

School's Golden Jubilee

The Seventh-day Adventist High School, Rilaulla, Kandana Golden Jubilee will be celebrated today.

A walk along with the participation of past pupils, parents, teachers, well-wishers and students will be held at 9 a.m. near the Police station, Ja-ela, Principal Samarakoon Bandara said. The school is run by Seventh Day Adventist and has 7,056 school branches around the world.

Four mayoral candidates on common platform

Four Mayoral candidates vying for Colombo Municipal Council at the forthcoming Local Government Elections are scheduled to meet on October 6 at 5.30 pm at the Young Men’s Christian Association of Colombo.

The Mayoral candidates are Milinda Moragoda, A J M Muzamil, Shafeek Rajabdeen and Mano Ganeshan.

Haj pilgrims leave for Mecca

The first batch of Hajj pilgrims will leave to Mecca, Saudi Arabia today, a statement issued by the office of Urban Affairs Senior Ministry said yesterday. A special ceremony will be held at the Bandaranaike International Airport at 8.30 am with participation of Senior Minister A H M Fowzie, Western Province Governor S Alavi Mowlana and officials of the Muslim Religious Affairs Department.

‘Teachers Day’ at Kingston

The Kingston College International (Mutwal branch) will celebrate ‘Teachers Day’ on October 6, 2011 commencing at 9.30 am presided over by the Chairman of the College Dr T Kumaraverl. This function is organized by the students of the College.

Special pinkama

A special Pinkama including a Sanghika dana will be held at the Mallikaramaya Ratmalana on October 14 to mark the 99th birthday of Viharadhipathi Ven Agga Maha Panditha Weligama Sri Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera of the Amarapura Sri Dhammarakkhitha Nikaya. The Pinkama is organized by Ven Makandugoda Gnanamoli Thera assisted by the student Bhikkhus and the Vihara Dayake Sabha. An all night Pirith Pinkama to invoke blessings on the Mahanayake Thera will be held the same day at the Pannipitiya Soma Sadham Sevana.

'Maroon & Silver' 2011 on Saturday

The 189th Maroon and Silver Fund-Raiser Dinner Dance, organized by the Old Boys Association of Sri Jayewardenepura Vidyalaya (Christian College), Kotte will be held at Water's Edge, Battaramulla on Saturday (October 8) from 8 pm onwards, with the popular musical group Gypsies entertaining the gathering.

Former cricketer and veteran marketer Sydney Amarasinghe and Mrs. Amarasinghe will participate as Chief Guests while the Guest of Honour would be former cricketer and Superintendent of Police Sarath Gunathilake.

Faizal Bonso will compere the event. The OBA promises a gamut of prizes and surprises for the participants. The fund-raiser Dinner Dance is held to mark the 189th anniversary of the school.

Public talk

Ven Bikkuni Kusuma will deliver a public talk in English on ‘Potaliya Sutta Majjhima Nikaya’ at the meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday, October 8 at 4.30 pm at the Maithree Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.