Quick Look

Death of former Editor

Veteran journalist and former Editor S Pathiravitana passed away yesterday after a brief illness.

"Pathi" as he was fondly called by everyone, was the Editor of the Daily News in 1977 and Editor-in-Chief of English Newspapers at ANCL in 1995.

Cattle menace in Mahiyangana

Mahaweli Systems Corr.

The local authorities concerned have been unable to keep stray cattle away from the town, according to a report on the 'stray cattle menace' in Mahiyanganaya town. According to the report, a few head of cattle have been straying in the town during the past few years, causing nuisance to the public. As there was no formidable challenge to those who own these cattle, they let their herd stray in search of fodder and water, the report added.

Oruwala Bandu no more

Athapattu Bandara

Veteran journalist and author Oruwala Bandu passed away yesterday.

Prominent writer, scholar, journalist, Sinhala lyricist, author and poet Oruwala Bandu passed away at the age of 80. He was a father of two. Oruwala Bandu who is known as an expert in the Sinhala language has authored a number of books and contributed articles to newspapers.

'Asupini' presented to President

Upali KARUNARATNE

The first state manufactured purified bottled-drinking water, was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Ministers during yesterday's Cabinet meeting by Water Supply and Drainage minister Dinesh Gunewardene.

The bottled-drinking water named 'Asupini' is manufactured by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. They expect to release their product to the local market from next week.

Four million as fines in illicit liquor cases

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Maravila, Chandana Kalansuriya had imposed over Rs.4 million on several suspects from Dankotuwa, Wennappuwa, Maravila and several other areas when they pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them for possessing illicit liquor.

The Maravila Police with the assistance of the other police stations in the area conducted the raids on illicit liquor dens.

Bee-keeping villages to be set up

S M Wijayaratne

The NWP PC's Ministry of Agriculture has made arrangements to set up bee-keeping villages in 10 selected divisions of Divisional Secretariats in the Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts of the NWP this year.

The selected divisions are Hiriyala, Yapahuwa, Dambadeniya, Galgamuwa, Pallama, Anamaduwa, Wanathawilluwa, Dodangaslanda, Bingiriya and Polgahawela Divisional Secretariat divisions. Accordingly, 750 educated but unemployed youths would be trained on bee-keeping and necessary equipment and expertise would be offered to them free of charge.

Lecture

Ambassador Shyam Saran, Former Foreign Secretary of India and Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries will deliver a lecture on "India and Sri Lanka and the Asian Resurgence" at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) today at 6.00pm.

Ambassador Shyam Saran, a distinguished career diplomat, was Foreign Secretary of India from 2004-2006. He served as Prime Minister's Special Envoy for India-US civil nuclear issues and later as special Envoy and Chief Negotiator on Climate Change until 2010. He has served as the Ambassador to Myanmar, Indonesia and Nepal and High Commissioner to Mauritius and has served in several capitals of the world. He continues to be involved in providing inputs to the Government of Indian Policy Matters as a member of the National Security Board.

Annual Congress

The 23rd Annual Congress of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), University of Peradeniya will be held on November 17 and 18 at the Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Gannoruwa, Peradeniya.

The chief guest of the occasion is Dr K Mathai, IMF Resident Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and Mission Chief for Fiji. Dr D Keatinge, Director General of AVRDC, the World Vegetable Centre, Taiwan is the guest of honour.

Human skull found

Kiribathgoda police found a human skull and bones by the side of a wall at Agnes Fernando Mawatha, Kelaniya on Monday evening following information received on 119 hot line. Investigations are continuing.

Help her

Fathima Riska, nine, of 66F, St Joseph Street, Grandpass is suffering from Leukaemia and she has been recommended for urgent surgery to be performed at the Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, India.

The estimated cost of the surgery is Rs 2.5 million and her father requests donors to assist her. Contributions should be remitted to A/c number 8570008679, Commercial Bank, Grandpass.