Quick Look

Programmes to promote cultural awareness

Priyanka Kurugala

The Sinhala Cultural Institution (Sudharshi) will conduct programmes to promote cultural awareness among Sri Lankans, a Postal Service Ministry spokesman said.

It will be launched under a cultural promotion programme. Schoolchildren and youths in the Colombo district and those keen about learning Sri Lanka's culture have the opportunity to participate in these programmes.

The Education Ministry, Culture and the Arts Ministry and District Secretariat will also be involved in the programme.

Workshops and seminars will be organised under this programme.

Veteran artistes and resource providers will participate in these programme.

Competitions will also be organised.

Drinking water project for remote villages

Anushika Ranadewa

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma inaugurated a drinking water project constructed for Arankahadeniya, Wehalla and Nawarahena in Dikwella, Matara recently.

The scheme implemented at over Rs 2 million under the Gama Naguma funding will provide water to over 50 families in the three villages.

The three villages face difficulties as they do not have proper water facilities.

Aide et Action join hands with NCPA

Anushika Ranadewa

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) received the support of Aide et Action, which is an International Development Organization originated in France and now head quartered at Geneva, to provide education for children who do not attend school.

The agreement was signed between NCPA Chairperson Anoma Dissanayake and Regional Director-South Asia at Aide et Action International Ravi Prathap Singh.

Aide at Action International will also join NCPA to implement the foster care programme named Surakna for the benefit of conflict-affected children in the Northern Province, to help and sponsor orphans or one-parent children as well as to focus the attention on children aged between 14-18.

NCPA Deputy Chairperson Sujatha Kulatunga, Director General of Aide et Action Claire Calosci and officials were also present.

More follow foreign job seekers’ training programme

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau has trained 32,576 persons planning to go overseas for employment from January to May this year, a release said.

The majority had participated in the five day training programme and this number was 19,914. The five day training is compulsory for females going abroad for non-domestic employment and males going abroad for non-professional employment.

Compared to last year, this number showed a growth by 2,679. Last year during the same period, 17,235 had obtained training.

Going abroad as domestic servants has been discouraged by the government.

The Bureau conducts five, seven, 18 and 21 day training programmes for foreign employment seekers in Israel, Cyprus and other countries except the Middle East.

The training is conducted at 24 training centres of the Bureau and five private centres. Courses are available in Sinhala and Tamil medium.

Desathiya magazine 35th anniversary

A ceremony to mark the 35th anniversary of Desathiya magazine will be held under the patronage of Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at the Media Development Centre Auditorium of the Information Department on June 12 at 10 am.

A special edition of Desathiya will also be launched at this ceremony at which special lectures on Media and Democracy, Media and Society and Media and Globalsiation will be delivered by Prof Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, Prof Ariyaratne Athugala and Kala Keerthi Edwin Ariyadasa.

Viral fever in A’pura

Hidogama group cor

A viral fever is fast spreading in Anuradhapura. The symptoms are head and back ache and loss of appetite which lasts from five to seven days.

Information Dept seminar for Provincial correspondents

A seminar for provincial correspondents in Kurunegala district organized by the Government Information Department will be held at the Blue Sky Hotel auditorium in Kurunegala on June 14 at 9 am.

Director General of Information Prof Ariyaratne Athugala and senior lecturer Dhamma Dissanayake will deliver special lectures.

Kurunegala GA H. M. P. Hitisekara will deliver a special lecture outlining the development activities in the district. Director of Information Vasanthapriya Ramanayake will also be present.

Gale force winds damage H’tota houses

Raja Waidyaskera Tissamaharama special corr

Eleven houses and buildings were damaged as a result of strong winds and heavy rains due to the south west monsoon activation since Friday in the Hambantota district.

Disaster Management Unit, Hambantota, coordinator Harsha Ravinda said six houses and a community centre in Walasmulla and five houses in Tangalle were damaged.