Quick Look

Divi Neguma fourth phase

Navaratna Banadara Mahaweli Systems Group corr.

The fourth phase of the Divi Neguma programme of the Kandy district divisional secretariat area of Kundasaale commenced with a training programme organized at Giraambe, Vaavinna in Kundasaale.

The Grama Niladhari, Samurdhi Officer and Agriculture Development AOfficer for the Pallegama area organized the training.

Farmers use rain water for cultivation

Navaratna Banadara Mahaweli Systems Group corr.

Irrigation Department officials in the Galgamuva Irrigation Zone in Kurunegala and the Mahaweli Zone H, said farmers have benefited from rain with the beginning of the maha cultivation season.

The Irrigation Department has been encouraging the people of the area to take maximum benefit from rain water during the process of preparing their fields for crop cultivations, saving water in reservoirs for the use of yala crop cultivations, which are usually affected by the lack of water, for there is not enough rainfall.

Officials said farmer families of the Galgamuva area responded positively to the department request toward using rain water in their agricultural activities.

There are about 7650 acres (3096 hectares) of paddy-fields around the major reservoirs of Abakolaveva, Atharagalla, Mahagalgamuva, Mahanaanneriya, Mahasiyambalangamuva, Paalukadavala and Usgala-Siyabalangamuva of the Galgamuva Irrigation Zone, and these fields were cultivated by farmers, using rain water.

T. B. Jayah remembered

The 123rd Birth Anniversary of Educationist, Statesman, Diplomat and National Hero, Al Haj Dr. T. B. Jayah, falls on January 1, 2013. The Conference of Sri Lankan Malays [COSLAM] has made arrangements to mark this event with a Public Meeting to be held at the Ghafoor Hall of Zahira College, Colombo, on January 6 at 9.30 am.

Indonesian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Harimawan Suyitno will be the Chief Guest. Dr. M. A. M. Shukri, Director, Jamiah Naleemiah, Beruwela, will deliver the Dr. T.B. Jayah Oration.

This function will be held in conjunction with HARI BAHASA MELAYU Hijri 1434 [Malay Language Day], a day dedicated to the preservation and development of the Malay Language in Sri Lanka. The Prize-winners of the competitions held in connection with Malay Language Day will also receive their prizes whilst the winners of the Oratorical Competition will deliver their prize-winning speeches.

Training for handicraft producers

Navaratna Banadara Mahaweli Systems Group corr.

The Eastern Provincial Social Services Department will conduct a training programme for handicrafts producers of Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.

The first course will be conducted in Trincomalee.

Unmarried individuals between the age group of 16 and 35 are eligible to participate in the course.

Those having a minor disability are encouraged to participate in the course.

Rains affect Ampara

Akkaraipattu special corr

Hundreds of acres of paddy have been inundated due to rains experienced in the last few days in the Amparai District.

Many people have been affected by rains accompanied by strong winds.

Fishermen could not go for deep sea fishing due to bad weather.

Croc in airport

M.Nelson Piyaratne Kataragama Group

A big crocodile that came to the Mattala airport on Monday was caught by airport employees and handed over to Wildlife officers who released it into a lagoon in the Bundala national park.

The crocodile is said to have come to the airport through canals which were full of water due to heavy rains.

Death of prominent social worker

The funeral of A.K. Karunaratne, father of Lt. Priyangani Jayasundara of the Sri Lanka Navy, will take place on Saturday (22) at 4.00 p.m at the General Cemetery Kanatte in Borella. Late Karunaratne who worked at the Colombo Commercial Company was a well known social and political activist of his time.

His remains lies at No. 234/E, 13th Avenue, Isurupura, Malabe.

‘Emerging World Order and Lanka’s Role’

Associate Visiting Professor from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Razeen Sally, will speak on the “Emerging World Order and Sri Lnaka's Role” at the Kadirgamar Institute at Horton Place, Colombo 7 on December 20 at 5.00 p.m.

Prof. Sally is a reputed economist and specializes in global trade policy and Asian in the World Economy.

Free workshop

A free psychology workshop on planning for 2013 conducted by Chandana Gunawardena will be held at the Colombo Public Library Auditorium on December 22 from 8.30 a.m to 3.30 p.m.

Participants will be trained on building and achieving life's targets as well as family and corporate targets during the New Year.

Contact 0773097105 for details.

Ex-teachers’ info needed

Former teachers and principals of Tissa Central College, Kalutara are requested to provide their names, addresses and phone numbers for a meeting with staff members to the following address before December 31.

The address is Vineetha Amaratunga, Vice Principal, Tissa Central College, Kalutara.

SE University Eng Faculty to be opened

The Engineering Faculty of the South Eastern University will be opened on January 15, 2013 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Vice Chancellor S M M Ismail said.

The President will open the building for the Faculty of Arab and Islamic studies donated by the Kuwait government.

He will also open the building for hostels and a health centre.

A sample of yellow rain taken in Walallawita

Now, yellow rain

PRIYADARSHANI KAHAWALA, Ingiriya central group corr

Several areas in the country are witnessing yellow rains these days. Kalutara, Walallawita, Ittapana and Miriswatta experienced yellow rain on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a rain of fish was reported in Mapalana, Kamburupitiya on Monday. Red rain was reported in Puhulwella, Kirinda the same day.