|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 2 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Gala National Day festivities To commemorate the National Day which falls on Tuesday February 4, the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government has organised a special cultural programme at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre commencing 6.30 p.m. The programme will be held under the patronage of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku. An opera on the Independence presented by Prof. Mudiyanse Dissanayake, 13 dancing items by the Kalayathanas, colleges and cultural centres with a gala musical show as the grand finale by prominent artistes, organised by Sangith Nipun Sanath Nandasiri, who is the Director (Programmes) of the Cultural Affairs Ministry. (A.G) ############ Fireworks display A spectacular fireworks display 'Artistry in the Sky' will take place on the Galle Face Green to celebrate the Independence Day on Tuesday, February 4. Richard Lim, a pyrotechnic expert from Australia will commission the display commencing 8.30 p.m. ############ Defence Review report completed Defence Review Committee has completed the Stage Two of their report with amendments to the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts which will be handed over to the Minister of Defence Tilak Marapana shortly. A presentation was held at the BMICH on Wednesday about the proposed amendments where 130 officers participated representing the three services, Ex-servicemens' Association and the Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers. It was decided to reconsider certain points made by some officers and those points will be finalised after the debrief scheduled to be held next week, sources said. It is likely to amend the designations of the Service Commanders as Chief of the Army/Navy/Air Force Staff respectively, in the new amendments. (R.k.) ############ Tax concessions for middle east employees The Government is taking all possible measures within its purview to face possible repercussions if USA declares war against Iraq. Ministry of Employment and Labour have already drawn up a plan to evacuate Sri Lankan migrant workers in the neighbouring countries in the event of a war while the Foreign Ministry is discussing with the Finance Ministry to explore the possibility of granting tax concessions at least for a specific period, to bring back the valuables irrespective of the contract period. Minister of Commere and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake said "I have already made contingency plans to keep a buffer stock of essentialconsumer items. I think in case, a war breaks out not only Sri Lanka but most countries will be affected. ############ Sri Lanka elected Vice Chair of CHR Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, was elected as the Vice-Chair from the Asian Group of the 59th Session of the Commission on Human Rights on January 20. This is the first time that Sri Lanka holds office in the Bureau of the 53 - member human rights body. Sri Lanka's candidature was uncontested. The African Group's nomination for the Chair-Ambassador Najat Al-Hajjaji, Permanent Representative of Libya - was put to a vote at the request of USA. Libya won the election with 33 votes in favour, 3 against and 17 abstentions. The other members of the Bureau include representatives from Australia (Vice-Chair from the Western Group), Peru (Vice-Chair from the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States), and Croatia (Rapporteur). ############ Community involvement in development projects For the first time after the cessation of hostilities, community organisations and financial institutions in Batticaloa have come forward voluntarily to develop infrastructure systems in the area. This has been carried out with solar energy, a programme launched under the Renewable Energy Technologies for the Batticaloa District (RETBD) by Energy Forum, through the NGO Forum of Batticaloa. "There are many other infrastructure development projects through government and LTTE intervention. However, the significance here is the community involvement," said Ashoka N. Abeygunawardana, Programme Co-ordinator, Energy Forum. Thirty solar energy systems have been installed in the areas of Vellaweli, Kalavanchikudi, Vavunathivu, Ottumaweli, Selladi and Pattipola areas within three months. Energy Forum installed 10 pilot/demonstration plots in different parts of the district, in November 2002. Credit facilities are made available for the community to meet the initial cost of solar panels. ############### Accolade to Sri Lanka envoy On January 19 the All-India Conference of Intellectuals conferred the award, "The Distinguished Friend of India" on Mr. Mangala Moonesinghe, the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in India. On the same day, the awards of "The great sons and daughters of India" were conferred on Dr. Najma Heptulla, Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Shri B. P. Singh, former Executive Director of the World Bank and several other Indian nationals. The All-India Conference of Intellectuals is a non-political, non-government organisation which has annually presented these honours to both Indian nationals and foreigners for the past twenty years in recognition of their services to India. This is the first occasion on which a Sri Lanka high commissioner has received this coveted award from the All India Conference of Intellectuals. ############### Special probe into Range Officer's killing by Shanika Sriyananda Liyanage Environment and Natural Resources Minister Rukman Senanayake is to seek special advice from the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to launch a special investigation into death of the wildlife Range Officer M.K.C. Kumarasinghe, who was killed last Tuesday while on a raid on a massive ganja plantation in the Yala National Park. "I and my Ministry officials are ready to give fullest support to bring the killer to book", he said. A brave young officer, Kumarasinghe was in-charge of Detection and Protection Squad at the park. He was shot dead by an unidentified gunman while he and 16 officers raided a ganja plantation at the Palatupana Adaviya area, National Park, January 28. Two suspects were taken into custody. During Kumarasighe's short period of service he had conducted several raids successfully and among them are the detection of two leopard skins at Thambarawa and the tusks of the "Dalapoottuwa" killed by irovy hunters and taken over 50 to 60 poachers into custody. ############### Independence celebrations in Chennai A ceremony organised by the Maha Bodhi Society to mark Sri Lanka's 55th year independence will be held at the Maha Bodhi Viharaya, Chennai, on the 4th. This will be the second such ceremony to be held in India to mark Sri Lanka's Independence anniversary under the patronage of the Mahabodhi Centre Chief Incumbent and Chief Sanganayaka of Japan, the Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera. Several religious and cultural events will be held. The celebration is aimed at gathering the support and blessings of Sri Lankans and the Tamil community in Chennai for the current peace process. A feature of the ceremony will be the participation of Sri Lankan refugees in India. The Viharadhipathi of the Kotte Naga Viharaya, the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera will deliver an Anusasana at the ceremony. Among the cultural pageants will be a musical presentation by veteran singers Sanath Nandasiri and Malkanthi Nandasiri. Ajith Darshana and Manoj Peiris will provide the accompaniment. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
