Quick Look

Kilo of drumstick Rs 1,000 in Jaffna

Jaffna spl correspondent

A kilo of drumstick costs Rs 1,000 in Jaffna. This is due to the prevailing wet weather in the area. Dry weather is a must for drumsticks to flower and mature. Drumstick flooded the Jaffna market between August and December last year due to the dry weather.

Palmyra products for export

Jaffna spl correspondent

Rs 20 million has been allocated to develop the palmyra industry, Palmyra Development Board chairman P Seevaratnam said. He said three research centres have been set up. "Research is being conducted here to improve and upgrade palmyra products with an eye on the export market," Seevaratnam said.

Ven Meewamelawe Gnanuththara thera passes away

Ven. Meewamelawe Gnanuththara thera (78), the Chief Monk of the Kaluwila Punyawardanaramadhipathi, died on January 5. Cremation will take place on Tuesday, January 8, at 2.00 pm at the Kaluwila Sena Maha Vidyalaya Sports Grounds.

The late Thera, a student of late Ven. Hapuwalane Gnanaloka Thera of Sri Ramanna Chapter and Pohone Munirathana Thero, had served in the tutorial staff of Kaluwila Sena Maha Vidyalaya for 40 years, while residing at the Kaikawala Sri Sudarshana Pirivena. Among those who paid their last respects were Deputy Ministers H.M. Chandrasena, Duminda Dissanayake, MPs P. Harison, North Central Province Chief Minister Ranjith Samarakoon and Provincial Health Minister H.B. Semasinghe.

Ven. Namalwewa Rathanasara Nayaka thera passes away

Ven. Namalwewe Rathanasara Nayaka thera (66), the Chief Monk of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, passed away on January 4.

The cremation will take place today at 3.00 pm at the Raja Maha Vihara dais at Mihintale.

The late Thera entered the Sasana at the age of 17 in 1971 and received higher ordination in 1978 under the tutorship of Ven.

Walawahenguwa Wewa Rathanajothi Thera.

The late Thera associated himself with the Lake House Aloka Pooja for four decades and was responsible for the many development work in and around the Mihintale Temple, which includes setting up of Pre-schools, providing school books to needy children of the area and setting up a Pilgrims Rest.