Quick Look

One dies in collision

Priyadarshani Kahawala, Ingiriya central group corr

One person died when a jeep and a trishaw collided in Walana Panadura on Saturday.

The victim aged 49 was riding the trishaw. He was a resident of Galthude, Panadura.

Police arrested the jeep driver.

Meanwhile, a lorry transporting a group of persons met with an accident in Mahawila on the Panadura-Horana main road on Sunday.

Four persons travelling in the lorry were injured and admitted to the Panadura hospital.

All those who were injured were members of the same family.

The lorry which crashed into a wall was badly damaged.

Wimal gifts elephant to temple

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa donated Kandula Weera, an elephant to the Kaduwela, Kothalawala Sankapitti Purana Viharaya at a ceremony at the temple last week.

This temple has been conducting the annual procession for the past 170 years. The temple’s chief incumbent Ven Kanangama Narada Thera had requested from the minister for an elephant when he visited the temple two years ago.

Minister Weerawansa said the elephant donated to the temple belongs to all.

He said by gifting the elephant, it was meant to help and support the temple’s cultural activities.

The thera while thanking the minister for donating the elephant, said this will help to continue the 170-year-old tradition of holding the annual procession.

Divi Neguma Sathi Pola development in Gampaha

Liya Abhiman Organization Chairperson Pushpa Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone for Jositawaththa - Ekala weekly fair. The weekly fair development programme was implemented parallel to the Divi Neguma Sathi Pola development programme.

This was done on the instructions of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

There are over 47 public markets in the Gampaha district but traders and consumers faced difficulties due to the lack of sanitation, water and electricity and parking facilities and Minister Rajapaksa initiated a programme to develop public markets in the Gampaha district.

Pushpa Rajapaksa said: “In accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana, all weekly fairs are to be developed under the Sathi Pola Development Project in the Gampaha district with funds provided by the Economic Development Ministry.

“These weekly fairs are equipped with modern facilities. Biyagama-Pattiwila, Mawaramandiya, Malwathuhiripitiya, Weliweriya, Minuwangoda, Badalgama, Wattala-Bopitiya, Kirindiwela, Poogoda and Naiwala weekly fairs have already been developed and opened to the public. “Everything is being done in the Gampaha district according to a plan. The projects cover highways and byways, maternal clinics, preschools, irrigation canals, jogging tracks, culverts, bridges and sanitation facilities among others.”

Odissi dance performance by Alpana Nayak

The Indian Culture Centre, Colombo is organising an Odissi dance performance of Alpana Nayak from India today at 6 pm at its auditorium at 16/2, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7.

Alpana Nayak along with Ayushi Nayak will present Odissi dance in the traditional style that was embellished by her gurus like the late Deva Prasad Das and Sudhakar Sahoo.

She has enriched her Odissi style further under Hare Krishna Bahera.

Widely travelled, Alpana performed Odissi dance in many parts of the world and participated in major cultural festivals. She has taught Odissi and different Indian folk dances in India, England and Japan.

She takes special care to train Odissi dance to specially gifted children (physically and mentally challenged) in Indian classical and folk dance forms for their holistic development in the society. For details contact the Indian Cultural Centre on 2684698 and Email: [email protected]
 

Youth dies in level crossing tragedy

Yasaratne Gamage

An 18-year-old died and another was seriously injured on the Wellawatte unguarded railway crossing when their motorcycle was knocked down by a train on Sunday evening.

The train was plying from Colombo to Galle.

S. Nadeera Lakshan of Kalupe, Hikkaduwa died in the incident while the pillion rider is receiving treatment at Balapitiya Hospital. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man walking along the rail track died when he was hit by a Colombo bound train from Vavuniya in Anuradhapura.

The victim was identified as Pradeep Kumara Ratnayake of Mihintale.

She needs your help

Anusha Sandamalie Basnayake, a mother of two of 84/7, Amarasiri Gunawadu Mawatha, Summerfield, Uda Peakwella, Matara has been receiving treatment to an unbearable pain in her left hand following an accident three years ago without success. Doctors treating her have recommended a total elbow replacement to cure her illness.

The surgery including the total elbow replacement set is estimated to cost nearly Rs 600,000. Basnayake says she is unable to foot this bill due to her family's present financial plight.

She requests philanthropists and the public to assist her cause by sending whatever financial contributions possible to help expedite the surgery and cure her ailment.

All contributions should be remitted to Account No. 0112001424378 at the People's Bank, Uyanwatta Branch or Account Number 8151009567 at the Commercial Bank, Matara Kotuwegoda Branch.

Computer training programmes for youth

I. M. Azhar Maligakadu group corr.

The A.C.M. Ibrahim foundation, Sainthamaruthu has initiated training programmes in computer, English, Sinhala and Tamil languages for unemployed youth in Sainthamaruthu area. Arrangements for the programmes have already been finalized. The duration of each training would be four months. Job aspirants is Sainthamaruthu would be the primary beneficiaries of the endeavour, said ACM Ibrahim Foundation Chairman A.M. Ibrahim.

Buses inconvenience other road users

I. M. Azhar Maligakadu group corr

Pedestrians and drivers are facing problems due to SLTB and private buses picking up passengers in all sections of the road in the Ampara district.

Different rates too are charged and tickets too are not issued. Office workers and students are also inconvenienced by buses stopping for over long periods of time both at Karaitivu junction and Sammanthurai Hijra junction to pick up passengers. They appeal to those responsible to look into these problems.

Rehabilitation camp for drug addicts

M. U. M. Sanoon Puttalam correspondent

A Rehabilitation camp is being conducted at the "Deer Camp" of Puttalam town under the direct supervision of Puttalam grand mosque at Puttalam town to rehabilitate drug addicts. The 25 day camp has been organized jointly by the Association of the expatriate Sri Lankans in Qatar and the local Islamic organization.

The Puttalam Grand Mosques administration gives leadership to this camp. About 17 drug addicts of Puttalam are being rehabilitated under this programme.

Religious sermons and professional counselling are the methods employed for the rehabilitation activities. According to the organizers, in addition to rehabilitating the drug addicts in the camp, the counselling professionals are to meet the families of the 17 drug addicts.

Programme to re-absorb school dropouts

I. M. Azhar Maligakadu group corre

The Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretariat in Kalmunai Municipal Council area will collect information regarding school dropouts in the area.

School principals in the area have been requested by the Divisional Secretary to provide necessary data. School drop-outs due to poverty and non availability of assistance will be reabsorbed to schools and facilities will be given to continue their education, Sainthamaruthu divisional secretary A.L.M. Saleem said.