In brief

Security Forces capture town

Security Forces captured the town of Karuppukulam in the Mannar district after 34 LTTE terrorists were killed in the latest battles.

Security Forces smashed rebel bunkers and engaged in artillery fire with Tamil separatists in Vavuniya, Jaffna, Mannar and Weli Oya on Thursday killing 34 Tigers.

Two injured in LTTE claymore blast

A civil security personel and a police STF officer were injured in a LTTE claymore mine blast at Pulliyankulama in Kebithigollewa yesterday. They were riding a motorcycle on the Vavuniya-Kebithigollewa road when the mishap occurred last morning. The injured were rushed to the Kebithigollewa Hospital.

Punani railway station to be rebuilt

The Department of Railways has reconstructed the Punani Railway Station and will build two new railway stations in Vandaramulla and Ganthalawa under the Eastern Reawakening program. The modernisation of the Punani station, which has two railway lines, has been completed at a cost of Rs 1.5 million and would be opened tomorrow.

New breakwater at Ulhitiyawa

A new breakwater will be constructed in the Ulhitiyawa deep sea, off the Wennappuwa coast in the Puttalam District. The new breakwater constructed at a cost of Rs. 22 million is expected to provide facilities to dock close to 140 fishing vessels. The Department of Costal Conservation said the docking facilities will be for smaller boats which do not fall into the category of multi-day fishing vessels.

Radical Labour Party Mayor ousted

The radical Labour Party Mayor of London who has been overtly sympathetic to the LTTE, has been ousted from power after eight years in office. In a closely contested mayoral election Mayor Ken Livingston was defeated by Conservative Party's Ben Johnson, according to results announced by midnight on May 2.

Imthiaz to launch ‘My Pulse’

Former UNP Parliamentarian and Minister of Mass Communication, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar will launch the compilation of his speeches made in Parliament, in a book titled “My Pulse” (Mage Hadagesma) at his alma mater, Ananda College, (Kularatne Hall) on Tuesday, May 6 at 4.30 p.m.

KRRM founder in Sri Lanka

The Founder of the Kuthubul Rabbani Ratheeb Majlis based in India, Moulana S.M.S. Abdul Kareem Thangal Al - Aidroosi is in Sri Lanka.

Muhiyiyaddeen Mowlood in memory of Kuthubulakthab Ghousul Ahlam Dhasthakeer Muhiyiyaddeen Abdul Qadir Jeelani (Kaddasallahu Sirrahul Azeez) and Grand Nazar Kandoori will be held on today at the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre, Maligawatte, Colombo 10 at 9.30 a.m. under the guidance of Moulana Abdul Kareem Thangal.

Muhibeen and Ulamas will participate in the Majlis. Special prayers will also be held for peace and harmony in Sri Lanka.

Homeopathy schols in India

India’s Health and Nutrition Ministry has awarded 15 semi-scholarships on homeopathy to the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine Sri Lanka.

Ten of the 15 scholarships will be to the Calcutta National Homeopathy Institute, while the rest will be to the Nehru Medical College of New Delhi.

The scholarship beneficiaries who will have to undergo a five year training course would be a remedy to the current shortage of homeopathy doctors.

Moulavis to teach Islam and Arabic in Muslim schools

Six-hundred and forty Moulavi teachers will be appointed to teach Islam and Arabic in Muslim schools islandwide, said Minister of Education Susil Premajayanth.

The Moulavi teachers to teach Islam and Arabic will be appointed in Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim schools where the Muslim students don’t have adequate teachers for Islam and Arabic language subjects according to Minister Premajayanth.

Moulavi teachers will be appointed to teach Islam and Arabic in Tamil whereas 33 Moulavi teachers will be appointed to teach Islam and Arabic subjects in Sinhala.

SOS: Hearing impediment

Mast. T. A. D. Mendis of Prethibha, Warallawaththe, Mirawaththe, Bandarawela is suffering from profound hearing loss. The only treatment available is a cochlear implant which will restore his hearing.

The surgery is to be performed at the Durdans Hospital by Consultant ENT Surgeon, Dr. T. R. C. Ruberu and the estimated cost is around Sri Lankan Rs. 2.65 million. The child’s father Upali Mendis seeks financial assistance from the public and donations could be sent to A/c No. 037-2-001-7-2628737 of the People’s Bank, Bandarawela.

Promoted Snr. D.I.G.s

The following Deputy Inspectors General of Police have been promoted to the rank of Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police by the National Police Commission with immediate effect.M/s K. G. Navaratne, S. K. Shankar, W. M. N. Mediweka, G. G. J. P. Gamage, C. K. D. G. Gajanayaka and D. W. Prathapasinghe.

All-night prayer service

An All-night prayer service conducted by Rev. Fr. Gyom Nonis wll be held at the Malwatta Church, Thillanduwa, Negombo on Saturday, May 10 from 7 onwards, organised by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Ananda Vithane and the parishioners.

‘Mother Easwaramma Day’

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Seva Samithi of Colombo will commemorate “Mother Easwaramma Day”, today, May 4, at 5 p.m. at the Saraswathy Hall, Lorense Road, Colombo 4.

Governor of Southern Province, Ms. Kumari Balasuriya will be the chief guest while former Sectional Head of the Bandaranayake Maha Vidyalaya, Gampaha will be the guest of honour.

Blood donation

A blood donation campaign, organised by the D. C. Ganegoda Paropakara Society of Puwakgalanda in Heiyantuduwa, will be conducted today, May 4 from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., at the Sanghamitta Maha Vidyalaya premises, Heiyantuduwa.