News in brief

Thai delegation to strengthen ties

A special Thai delegation including Bhikkhus are now in the country to strengthen the cultural and religious ties and economic cooperation between the two countries. The delegation arrived here on the invitation of Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Areas Development Dinesh Gunawardene.

UNP need not repay loans

The Government will use the funds raised from foreign banks to improve infrastructure and thus expedite development of the country. Therefore the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's assertion that a future UNP government would not repay the loans does not carry any weight, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told Parliament last week.

Govt for free education

The Government is committed to protect the right to free education and under any circumstance we will not establish private universities," said the Government Media Spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. Minister Yapa responding to a question on the allegation made by the university students that the government is planning to grant permission for private universities to operate in Sri Lanka, rejected it as a false accusation.

World No Tobacco Day award for 2007

The World Health Organisation (WHO) presented a global award - World No Tobacco Day award for 2007 and a plaque to Minister of Health Care and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva in appreciation of his exceptionally commendable efforts in tobacco control in Sri Lanka.

Senior citizens in development drive

Over 1,000 senior citizens, professionals and skilled persons obtained membership of the Sri Lanka Senior Citizens Organisation, the first of its kind here to share their experience in the country's development effort. The district convention was inaugurated on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Gampaha yesterday.

PRDA waits for a trip and fall

The Water Board after several attempts, lasting couple of months, managed to plug a major leak in the water mains at the Old Avissawella Road - Mulleriyawa Hospital Road junction. But, now, for well over a month, the ball is in the PRDA court with a mound of earth with a warning stick jutting out of the road, where the commuters wait for buses on route numbers, 150, 164, 166 and 134, under the hot sun or in pouring rain with no roof over their heads. The Kottikawatte Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha and the Provincial Road Development Authority, seem to have missed out this major junction, in their area maps. (A.K.)

Randoli perahera today

The third Randoli perahera of the Kandy Esala perahera will parade the streets of Kandy today, August 26. The procession is scheduled to start from Dalada Maligawa facing the North at 7.10 p.m. and proceed along Dalada Veediya, E.L. Senanayake Veediya, King Street and return to the Maligawa Square. Meanwhile the Railway Department will operate several special trains from Kandy to Colombo, Matale and Nawalapitiya for the convenience of the public during the Kandy Esala Perahera season.