Quick Look

Sri Lanka, China ties get stronger

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Chinese Communist Party Central Committee International Relations Section representatives promised Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to strengthen bonds between the Chinese Communist Party and the SLFP, a Health Ministry spokesman said. The spokesman said the delegation led by Chinese Communist Party Central Committee General Secretary Xi Jinping promised to create a good market in China for Sri Lankan gems.

The Chinese delegation visited Sri Lanka on an official tour.

Minister Sirisena and the Chinese delegation discussed several topics including disaster management, preserving the environment and strengthening friendship between the two countries.

The Chinese delegation praised Sri Lanka for achieving a significant development within three years since the end of the war. They also praised the fast recovery achieved after the 2004 tsunami disaster. Minister Sirisena said the government has a clear and permanent strategy to develop the country under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Accused pedophile appears in New Zealand court

Flies back from Sri Lanka:

Former Catholic brother Bernard Kevin McGrath has been granted bail while he considers his stance on 252 fresh sex abuse charges on which he faces extradition to Australia.

The 65-year-old flew back to the city from Sri Lanka on Thursday and was arrested on Friday after fresh charges were laid in Australia. The new charges allege he repeatedly raped, molested and abused dozens of young boys at church-run institutions in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese over several decades.

He was due to fly back to Christchurch from Sri Lanka next Saturday but he brought the flight forward.

Defence counsel Phillip Allan said McGrath had returned from Sri Lanka knowing that he would be arrested. He would have seen news reports on a New Zealand website before his return.

“Instead of staying in Sri Lanka or running, he has chosen to come back,” Allan told Judge Jane Farish when McGrath appeared in Christchurch District Court yesterday.

He said the Police now had McGrath's passport and suggested he could be remanded on bail with conditions that would reduce his “flight risk”. This could include regular reporting to the Police. Prosecutor Mark Zarifeh said the Crown opposed bail being granted because of the flight risk and the seriousness of the offending.

The Press

Pinkama at Horana Sripali

A pinkama to invoke blessings on the Principal, staff and students of Horana Sripalee Vidyalaya and transfer merit on the school's departed principals and members of staff organized by the school's Buddhist Association will be held at the school premises on December 5 and 6.

It will include an allnight pirith ceremony on December 5 and a sanghika dana on December 6.

The organizing committee has requested all students, staff, past pupils and members of the staff and all well wishers to participate in this pinkama.

Mahila Samithi sale

The Lanka Mahila Samithi will conduct a handicraft sale on December 5 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery(No. 18 Guidford Crescent,Colombo 7) at 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.The Lanka Mahila Samithi is one of the oldest women's organization's in Sri Lanka and was founded in 1930.

Memorial Oration

The Dr. W D L Fernando Memorial Oration 2012 organised by the Medico Legal Society of Sri Lanka will be held on December 6 at 6 pm at the Medical Research Institute Auditorium, Baseline Road, Colombo 8.

The oration will be delivered by former Attorney General and President's Counsel Sunil de Silva who will speak on the topic "Voices from the grave - Cross examination of the deceased".

Dr. W D L Fernando was a former Judicial Medical Officer,Colombo and former president of the Medico Legal Society of Sri Lanka.

Level crossing closed

The level crossing on the Kaduwela Road along the Kelani Valley rail line close to the 15th mile post will be closed from 7 am on December 13 to 7am on December 16 to facilitate urgent repairs, said the Sri Lanka Railways in a press release yesterday.

NWP budget

The inaugural budget of the North Western Provincial Council will be held on December 4,5,6 and 7 at the fifth 'Sasri' Hall under the patronage of Chairman R D Wimaladasa.

The Chief Minister will present the budget 2013 for debate today.

The budget debate will commence on December 7.

Medicinal herbs on 100 acre land

A 100 acre land at Kalmadu Nagar will be planted with rare medicinal herbs.

The planting of medicinal herbs has been inaugurated at Kilinochchi Octrupulam by Kilinochchi District Ayurvedic Herbs Protection Society.

The cultivation of medicinal herbs in farms will meet the needs of ayurvedic physicians and accelerate the sale of medicinal herbs in other districts.

The farms will also be the centres of research by ayurvedic medical students.

Death of Mohamed Maharoof

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC)Opposition Leader Mohamed Maharoof passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital yesterday.

Maharoof joined the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) last year and became the CMC Opposition Leader following CMC after then Opposition Leader Milinda Moragoda stepped down from his post.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid his last respects to Mohamed Maharoof at his residence in Borella last evening.

Colombo Mayor A.M.L. Muzzammil accompanied the President.

Missing

Jacob John, husband W.A. Lalitha of Piliyandala, Dulammahara is missing from home since June 24. John is about 5 feet and 3 inches tall with a scar of a wound on the forehead clearly seen. Any information about him could be given to 0773386262 of 2708129 or 2436161.