Quick Look

Artistes appeal for cultural hall

M.I.M. Azhar Maligaikadu group corr.

The Sainthamaruthu town in the Kalmunai Municipal Council area in the Ampara district, lacks a cultural hall. As a result, residents of the Sainthamaruthu area are inconvenienced in improving their cultural activities.

Although there are many art circles, they are in a quandary to find a common place to perform their cultural activities according to their cultural heritage.

The affected artistes of Sainthamaruthu, appeal to the authorities concerned to take steps to remedy the situation by constructing a cultural hall which a long felt need.

Governor’s office declared open

The Northern Province Governor’s Office at Old Park, Jaffna built at a cost of 25 million rupees was declared open by the Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Douglas Devananda on May 31.

After the traditional oil lamp was lit the heads of Hindu, Christian and Islam religions blessed the building.

The name board of the office was unveiled by Minister Devananda and the Governor G.A. Chandrasiri. The Mayor of Jaffna P. Patkunarajah, Secretary Education Cultural Affairs and Sport Ministry Sathiyaseelan, Governor’s Secretary Elankovan and heads of government departments participated in the opening.

Religious activities to mark Poson

Priyanka Kururgala

The Buddhist Cultural Centre has organized a series of programmes under the Amisa and Prathipaththi pooja religious activities to mark Poson, Buddhist Cultural Centre Director Kirama Wimalajothi Thera announced.

With the participation of schoolchildren and teachers in the Western Province, a Poson Bakthi Gee programme will be held at the Buddhist Cultural Centre today from 6 pm to 10.00 pm. Sil and meditation programmes also will be held.

The Buddhist Cultural Centre will publish a Pali-Sinhala dictionary comprising 26,000 words to mark Vesak, the Thera said.

The Buddhist Cultural Centre will open a vegetarian restaurant at its premises in Colombo to popularise the importance of consuming vegetarian food to mark the Poson season, the Thera added.

Poson Zone in Hambantota

T issamaharama Special Cor.

The Hambantota Poson Zone organized by the Tharunyata Hetak Foundation will be held from June 4 to June 8. The Walasmulla, Weeraketiya, Beliatte, Tangalle, Katuwana, Ambalantota, Suriyawewa, Tissamaharama, Meegahakadura, Tunugamulla, and Hakmana areas come under the Poson zone this yeaz. Poson Pandals have been erected at most of these places.

Poson dansela

The Naional Film Corporation Buddhist Association has for the eighth year organised a biscuit and coffee dansela on June 5 at the Ruwanveli Seya Seya, Anuradhapura.

Health Ministry warning to Poson pilgrims

Don’t bathe in reservoirs

Ridma Dissanayake

The Health Ministry Accidents Prevention Department urged pilgrims visiting Anuradhapura to be careful during trips to sacred and historical sites in the area and avoid bathing in reservoirs. Drowning incidents in reservoirs and road accidents having witnessed an increase during this season, sources said. The Health Ministry warned the public not to bathe in deep and dangerous places. The ministry also advised them not to consume alcohol.

Ministry sources urged pilgrims to obey the advice and directives published in notice boards near reservoirs and sacred places.

A majority of tanks and reservoirs in the Anuradhapura district have filled up due to the recent rains .