Quick Look

Rs 3m in excise fines

Batticaloa group corr

Excise officials in the Batticaloa district have collected nearly Rs 3 million in fines to the national coffers through litigation against 650 suspects apprehended for engaging in the sale of illicit liquor and drugs, said a spokesman for the district excise office.

Buddhist talk

Ven Ayagame Susila will deliver a public talk in English on Vammika Sutta at the meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on October 29 at 4.30 p.m. at Maithree Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Katina Pinkama

The katina Pinkama at Thalawatugoda Sri Gnanarama Meditation Centre will be held on October 29 and 30 under the patronage of Ven Na-Uyane Ariyadhamma Thera.

The newly built relics shrine and Sangawasaya will be opened by Ven Na-Uyane Ariyadhamma Thera on October 30.

Thai Royal delegation to visit Lanka

A special robe offering and an alms giving for 300 Buddhist monks will be held at the Asgiri Mahavihara Maha Pirivena under the auspices of Princess Soamsawali Chakri of Thailand to invoke blessings and wish long life for the Thai King. The delegation led by Ven. Phairot Suwannakin plans to visit prominent religious monasteries in the country and call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Cabinet Ministers during their tour in Sri Lanka. The delegation will arrive in the country today.

Lecture

Architect Ashley de Vos will deliver a lecture on development and environment tomorrow at 6.00 pm at the Auditorium of the Sri Lanka Institute of Achitects, 120/7, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Solo art exhibition

Artist M Chandrapala’s 15th solo Art Exhibition will be held from October 28 at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.

The exhibition titled “Seventieth” (70th) will comprise 70 artistic creations to mark the 70th year of the artist. The exhibition will be opened by Professor Elbert Dharmasiri on October 28 at 3.30 pm.

Sambhasha

The Nalanda College Mass Media Unit has organised an all island inter-school Sinhala and English announcing competition titled Sambhasha this year as a step forward in its long path.

Poetry competition

‘Open Mike Competitive Poetry Slam’ organized by the US Embassy will be held today at 3.30 pm.

This will be the second phase of the ‘Young Poets Society’ which was held on September 27 at the American Center, Colombo.

The best performer will be awarded a prize. All performers are entitled to free life-time membership to the American Center Library in Colombo and the American Corners in Kandy and Jaffna.

Prize day, opening ceremony

The prize-giving and the opening ceremony of the second floor of Madarasa Thakireen building at Naleem Hajiar place, China Fort Beruwala will take place on October 29 at 3.30 pm at Madarasa Thakireen.

Elders’ Week commemoration

The Ceylon Bible Society will commemorate Elders’ Week on the theme handful of tranquility on October 28 and 29 from 9 am to 5 pm at Bible House, No 293, Galle Road, Colombo 3.

Stamp exhibition

Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga will open Lanka Philex Stamp Exhibition at the Sri Lanka Post Headquarters building, 310, D R Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10 on October 28 at 9 am.

The exhibition programme: October 28, 9.30-10 am – felicitation of founders of the society; philatelists Sarath Munasinghe and Fred Mendis 3.30 to 4.30 pm – Session on postal cancellation by Harsha Rupasinghe, October 29: 10.00 am to 11.00 am Session on Investment Opportunities in Philately by Mahesh Widanage, October 29 – noon to 1.00 pm Philatelic auction - conducted by the society, October 30 – 11.00 am to 12.00 noon: Session on thematic collection – Lalith Presanna and 6.00 pm – award presentation for stamp exhibitors.

Youth sports festival

The inaugural ceremony of the 23rd National Youth Sports Festival 2011 will be held today at 3 pm at Homagama Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium under the patronage of Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

Dambulla roads to be renovated

A.A.L. Dias - Matale District Group Corr.

The government has taken steps to renovate provincial roads in the Dambulla electorate under the Maga Neguma concept, spending Rs 481.3 million. In accordance with that programme, Kusikotuwa-Rusigama, Aluthgama-Hunganwela via Ebbawela, Thalakiriyagama-Makulgaswewa and Eraula-Nikawatawana roads are being carpeted while the entire distance is 26.4 kilometres.

The entire programme will end within the current year.

Dimuthu needs your help

R M Srimali Dimuthu Kumari, a student of Medagama National School in the Moneragala district, has been diagnosed with a tumour in the brian and has been recommended gamma knife radiation therapy. The estimated cost of the treatment is around Rs 2 million. According to Consultant Oncologist K A S Balawardena, this facility is not available in Sri Lanka.

Dimuthu Kumari was an outstanding student who excelled in academic and sports activities during her school days. Dimuthu who represented Sri Lanka at the Indo-Nepal-Sri Lanka Women's Football championship, has been selected to the Sabaragamuwa University. Dimuthu's parents say that they are not in a position to raise funds for the therapy due to their present economic plight and request the public and philanthropists to assist their daughter by sending whatever donation possible to save her life.

Contributions should be remitted to Account Number 72245759 of Bank of Ceylon, Dambagalla branch.