In brief

WFP representative apologises

World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director in Sri Lanka Dr. Mohamed Saleheen apologised to the Government for the statement made to the press that 30 per cent of families in Sri Lanka go without food for days, according to a joint media release issued by the WFP and the Health Ministry release.

Dialog GSM slashes tariffs

Sri Lanka's leading mobile service provider Dialog GSM has slashed tariffs again. To ensure their customers get the best deals on call charges, Dialog launched a Lifetime Discount program. Starting on August 1, all Dialog packages came under a new tariff platform. The Lifetime Discount, the first such tariff program of its kind in Sri Lanka, gives customers a generous 50% discount on charges for all local outgoing calls from the third minute whilst a 25% discount is offered on the second minute.

Nine terrorists killed

Nine LTTE terrorists were killed and 27 more injured during heavy clashes in the South of Tunukkai and South of Mallavi areas. The troops of the 57 Division continuing their advance towards the strategically vital Tunukkai town and Mallavi town came under stiff resistance from LTTE terrorists struggling to hold their strongholds.

Shares rise 0.41 per cent

Sri Lankan shares rose 0.41 per cent on Friday, recording their highest close in more than a month and the biggest weekly rise since late March 2007 after some stronger than expected earnings and a major foreign deal.

Athletes check into Beijing

Nearly 3,000 athletes checked into the Beijing Olympic Village before noon yesterday. Yang Cuisong, press manager of the Olympic Village, said that 2,499 athletes from 141 delegations moved into the village by July 31.

SOS Cochlear implant

One year old child, Navod Dasun Tharanga is suffering from bilateral profound hearing loss.

Consultant ENT Surgeon of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo, Dr. A.D.K.S.N. Yasawardana recommends cochlear implant surgery for restoration of hearing and speech development. His father, W.P. Nisantha Gunathilake of 4, Peraladawatta, Ganihimulla, Devalapola, appeals to the generous public for funds to help his child undergo surgery which may be reunified to A/C No: 3106394 of the Bank of Ceylon, Minuwangoda.

New office for newspaper agents

The Newspaper Agents Association of Sri Lanka will open its new office at the Y.M.B.A building Fort on August 6 at 9.30 a.m. with the participation of officials of Newspaper Companies in the island.

The Association has a membership of over 4,000 islandwide.

First cattle sanctuary opens today

by B. A. Podimahathmaya

The Sri Bodhiraja Foundation at Embilipitiya, under the direction of Ven. Omalpe Sobhita Thera, will open the first cattle sanctuary in Sri Lanka today.

The project is an extension of the Foundation's cattle release program that has, to date, saved more than 1,000 cows from the butchers' knives.

The Bodhiraja Cattle Sanctuary at Kovulara-Sevanagala will produce milk and other dairy products at low-cost to the families in the area.