In brief

UNP undecided on Chief Minister

The UNP is still undecided on their chief ministerial candidate for the forthcoming Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council election.

The UNP nomination board met yesterday without taking a final decision on the party’s chief ministerial nominee.

Govt to expand garment industry

The Government is planning to introduce ways and means to expand the local garment industry to compete in emerging global trends. Sri Lanka’s total industrial revenue, 54% is contributed by the garment industry and the country earned US$ 3.2 billion through ready-made exports last year.

Doha death toll rises

The death toll from the June 18 fire in a Doha apartment housing Sri Lankans has risen to six with another victim succumbing to his burns yesterday. Dulan Salika Ratnasiri, who suffered 79% burns, had been under treatment at the Hamad General Hospital’s Trauma Intensive Care Unit in Doha.

Roadblock in LTTE smuggling cases

Investigations on many smuggling cases involving the LTTE have hit a roadblock, according to police officers in Madurai.

Though the police busted the smuggling activities, following leads provided by the intelligence wing and arrested the accused, impediments to gathering vital details have brought the investigations to a halt.

Plea to return Madhu statue

The Catholic community in Bethlehem, Palestine in a statement has called upon the leaders of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka to persuade the LTTE to return the Madhu statue to its original shrine so that it would be accessible to the devotees who belong to all religions in the island.

Donation of eye equipment from Germany

Free consultations will be provided by qualified optometrists from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesdays. In addition, other allied services can also be obtained.

The Federation is to receive a valuable donation of eye care equipment and spectacles from DBHW, Germany (Deutschese Blindenhilfswerk) through its representative in Sri Lanka. The presentation will take place at the office of the Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped, 74 Church Street Colombo 2, at 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.

Communist Party 65th anniversary on July 4

The 65th anniversary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka will be held on July 4, at 3 p.m. at the Maharagama Youth Centre Auditorium. Sitaram Yechury Polit Buro Member and Secretary International Relations of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and member of Indian Raja Sabha will deliver a lecture on 21st century challenges, prospects and political trends with special reference to South Asia and Latin America at the anniversary.

SOS: Heart patient

K. Sirisena of No. 2/99, Old D.R.O. Road, Kandana is suffering from an acute heart ailment.

Dr. Nimali Fernando, Cardiologist, National Hospital, Colombo has recommended heart surgery which costs approximately a sum of Rs. 275,000. Under the circumstances he finds it difficult to foot the medical bill and therefore appeals to the public for assistance.

All contributions may be remitted to A/C No. 8123890, Bank of Ceylon, Kandana.