Quick Look

Three months’ leave of absence for Duminda

UPFA Parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is undergoing medical treatment overseas, was granted three months leave of absence from Parliament starting December 23.

The leave motion was moved in the House by Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Deported Lankans arrive from UK

Kumarasiri PRASAD, Airport correspondent

Seventy Sri Lankans deported from Britain for violating British emigration and immigration laws arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday.

According to BIA officials, the group of deportees were escorted to the BIA by a contingent of British Police in a special airline.

They are residents of Jaffna, Trincomalee and Kandy districts. Among the deportees are seven women.

Help this child

Lasindu Sathsara Kumara, 11 of Pratheeba, 162, Galhena, Beruwala, a grade six student of KL/Gnanassara Maha Vidyalaya, Dharga Town, Aluthgama has a neurogenic bladder with a single kidney leading to chronic renal failure. He is undergoing treatment at Ward 11, Lady Ridgway Hospital for Children, Colombo.

Doctors say the child needs an, “O” (+) positive kidney.

The kidney transplant costs about Rs 3 million while the bladder augmentation surgery has to be performed at the Global Hospital in India.

Persons volunteering to offer or donate a kidney contact 034 3746699 or 075 5625245. Financial donations can be credited to Commercial Bank Account No. 8220902853 – Beruwala Branch.

The child’s father W D Jagath Kumara died in the 2004 tsunami disaster.

Three injured in accident

Puttalam group corr.

Three persons were injured and admitted to the Puttalam Hospital when the van in which they were travelling skidded off the road and toppled at Madurankuliya on the Chilaw-Puttalam road around 2.30 am yesterday. Mundalama Police are investigating.

Dhamma desana

A special dhamma desana by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, organized by the Sambodhi Nugasrama Foundation will be held today from 7.30 pm at the Sambodhi Nugasramaya of Soysapura, Moratuwa.

Commemoration lecture

A commemorative lecture for Malcolm Wijithapala, organised by the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya Colombo chapter will be held on December 22 at 4.30 p.m. at the Meteorology Department Auditorium Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Prof. W. D. Laxman will deliver the key note address. Peradeniya University Chancellor Dr. Premadasa Udugama will be the chief guest.

Carols at ministry

The External Affairs Ministry will celebrate Christmas by conducting Carols on December 20 at 11 am at the ministry premises. It will be held under the patronage of External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Deputy Minister Neomal Perera and Monitoring MP Sajin Vass Gunewardena.

Religious dignitaries and other guests will also participate.

Musical show

A musical show will be held at Basilica Ground, Ragama today from 7 pm to coincide with the fifth anniversary of Ragama Eksath Velanda Sangamaya. It will be held under the patronage of disabled soldiers of Ragama Ranaviru Sevana. Entrance is free.

Book launch

The launching ceremony of the book Managing in a Developing Context - Sri Lankan Perspective by Prof Sudatta Ranasinghe will be held on December 21 at 4.30 pm at the New Seminar Hall Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka.

Dr. T. B. Jayah remembered

The 122nd birth anniversary of educationist, statesman, diplomat and national hero Al Haj Dr. T. B. Jayah, will be commemorated on January 1 at a public meeting at the Ghafoor Hall of Zahira College, Colombo 10.

It will be held under the patronage of Malaysian High Commissioner Azmi Zainuddin. The Dr. T. B. Jayah Oration will be delivered by Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs - Ministry former secretary Alhaj S. H. M. Jameel.

This function organized by the Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM) is being held for the sixth consecutive year in conjunction with Hari Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language Day) a day dedicated to the preservation and development of the Malay Language amongst Malays and other interested persons in Sri Lanka. COSLAM has conducted competitions in Malay Language, Essay Writing and Oratory, where persons in the age groups of Under 12, Under 17, Under 21 and Open categories have competed for prizes.

Musical recital

Vocalist Lavanya Sundaraman will give a musical recital at the Saraswathie Hall, Bambalapitiya today at 7 pm to mark the diamond jubilee celebration of the Hindu Education Society.

Old Nalandians Day

The Old Nalandians Day will be held tomorrow at 10am at Henry Pedris’s play ground, Colombo.

Workshop

The Colombo Toastmasters Club District 82 Division A, along with the School for the Blind, Ratmalana will conduct workshops on effective communication, thereby enhancing children’s communication skills. It is hoped that they gain more confidence, be able to face challenges and find employment more easily when they leave school.

It is also proposed to have speech contests among the children.