Quick Look

UK Parliamentary delegation calls on Defence Secretary

Sandasen MARASINGHE

A nine member UK Parliamentary delegation headed by James Wharton, paid a courtesy call on Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday at the Ministry premises.

The meeting focused on matters of bilateral interests. External Affairs Ministry officials were also present at the occasion. Mementos were exchanged as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation between the Defence Secretary and the delegation head.

Suspect caught

M.D. Mahindasiri, Devahuwa Group Corr.

Two remand suspects brought to the Dambulla Magistrate's Court for hearing in a criminal case escaped from the custody of Prison officials around 12.45 pm on Tuesday. However, Prison officials assisted by Police managed to apprehend one of them who was fleeing along a tank bund. A search was on for the other suspect who is evading arrest.

Ifthar at Police

The Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association of the Sri Lanka Police Department has made arrangements to hold Iftar religious activities to mark the Ramazan festival on August 3 at the Colombo DIG's Office.

This ceremony will be held under the patronage of IGP N.K.Illangakoon.

Memorial Oration

The 15th Deshamanya Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda Memorial Oration will be delivered by eminent constitutional and human rights lawyer President's Counsel Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne on the theme 'Human Rights : Ours or Theirs' on August 2 at 5.30 pm at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

Seminar

The National Heritage Ministry has organized a seminar " Heritage Management and Sustainable Development" at the National Archives Department on August 3 at 9 am to mark the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Charter approved by UNESCO.

Senior International Monetary Co-operation Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama will be the Chief Guest at the seminar.

War heroes remembered

A ceremony to commemorate war heroes organized by the Colombo Nalanda College Junior Old Boys' Association will be held at the war hero memorial at the school premises today at 10 am. Army Commander Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya will be the chief guest.

YMCA celebrates 59 years

Celebrating the 59th Anniversary of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the National Council (NCY-SL) plans to conduct several programmes during the year. The main celebration programme is to be conducted on August 11 at the Mt Lavinia Hotel from 9. am to 11.30 am.

State leaders, government officials, religious dignitaries, representatives of civil societies and 150 International leaders are expected to attend.

Soma Munindradasa passes away

Founder Principal of Panadura Balika Maha Vidyalaya and President's College Soma Munindradasa, 88, expired.

The funeral will take place at the General Cemetery, Borella today at 4.30 pm.

She was also the Principal of Maliyadeva Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Kurunegala. She retired from service in 1984 from Panadura College, Kotte.

She is an old girl of Ananda Balika Vidyalaya. She was a mother of three.

Appeal

B.R.N. Lakshitha de Silva, 25, of No. 433, A 1/3, Samagi Mawatha, Podi Vee Kumbura, Ragama, is suffering from end stage kidney failure and undergoing regular twice a week haemodialysis at Sri Jayawardenapura hospital at a cost of Rs. 38,400 per month until a kidney transplant surgery is done as recommended by consultant nephrologist Dr. C.A. Herath.

Lakshitha's mother B.L.S. Pieirs says an O Negative kidney is needed for the transplant which is estimated to cost Rs. 1.5 million. She says her family is unable to foot this bill due to their economic plight.

She requests the public to assist her son's cause by sending financial contributions possible to help expedite the surgery.

Contributions can be remitted to Account Number 103150080529 at the Sampath Bank, Moratuwa branch. A person willing to donate an 'O' Negative kidney is requested to contact 011-5556748 or 071-4014604.

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Fathima Rikasa, a nine year old girl, daughter of trishaw driver S.A. Gafoor of Grandpass, Colombo is Suffering from Leukemia. His wife died of a heart attack six months ago.

Gafoor has no other income.

Doctors have recommended that the child should undergo a surgery at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre in India.

The cost of the surgery is Rs. 2.5 million. The president's fund has given Rs 125,000.

Gafoor requests the public to help his child's cause by sending possible financial contributions to A/C No: 71449879, Bank of Ceylon under his name. Telephone No: 011-5724214.

Forest fire destroys 50 acres

Sandasen MARASINGHE

A 50 acre area of the Namunukula forest reserve was destroyed by a sudden fire on Tuesday evening.

The fire was noticed around 7.45pm on Tuesday and was doused around 11pm the same day.

Kawadi dancer stabbed

PRIYADARSHANI KAHAWALA, Ingiriya central group cor

A member of a kawadi dance group at the Peli Perahara of the Sri Upulwan Vishnu Devalaya, Devinuwa was stabbed on Tuesday night, the Police said. The injured dancer was admitted to Matara Hospital. No arrests have been made. Investigations are continuing.

Consumers' Price Index

The Colombo Consumers' Price Index computed by the Census and Statistics Department for July 2012 was 166.7, according to Census and Statistics Department Director General D B P Suranjana Vidyarathna.