[In brief]

An Internet dialogue

Should the Sinhala New Year be changed?

An open forum has been started on the website www.pothmithuro.com regarding the views expressed by Thilak Senasinghe in his book "Mana Ranjana Mithya Katha" that the Sinhala New Year, regarded as the premier cultural festival of Sri Lankan Buddhists, has become an arid festival devoid of real religious and historical basis.

Accordingly, visitors to the site can read the book's topical chapter `Sinhala Avurudda Venas Kara Ganimu' and express their views and criticisms about the ideology expressed in that chapter.

The website also incudes views expressed by Prof. Sunanda Mahendra and a number of other intellectuals about this book.

Poson lantern exhibition in estate sector

A Poson Lantern exhibition and competition, to exhibit the talents of the estate children, organised by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development will be held in Nuwara Eliya's Educational Zonal schools, today.

Under the guidance of the Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development Minister and General Secretary of Ceylon Workers Congress Arumugan Thondaman, the Ministry has allocated over Rs. 5 million for the exhibition.

The main aim in conducting this competition is to bring unity and amity among the three communities and plantation sector and expose their talents.Students of Nuwaya Eliya, Agrapatana, Talawakele, Kandapola, Kotagala and Holbrook educational zones will take part in the exhibition.

Inter-school Shakespeare drama competition 2009

The Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2009, jointly organised by the Colombo YMCA and the Rotary Club of Colombo North will commence on September 23.

Entry forms can be obtained from the Colombo YMCA, 39, Bristol Street, Colombo 1.

The closing date for entries will be June 15, 2009.

Kids: Beware of bad weather

by Asha SENEVIRATHNA

The Child Protection Authority (CPA) Chairman Jagath Wellawatta informed the public to be more concerned about the warnings issued by the Meterological Department about the climatic changes like rough seas and thundershowers. He also said that they should listen to the advice of the lifeguards.Referring to the incident where four children went missing in the seas of Nalluruwa, Panadura, last month, he said that parents should be cautious in preventing such tragedies by warning children not to bathe or swim in risky areas and under bad weather conditions.

According to Wellawatta, the Nalluruwa beach was a place where the public had been warned not to bathe.

Polyclinic on June 14

The Sri Lanka Cancer Society situated at 37/25, Bullers Lane, Colombo 7 will hold their next polyclinic from 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. on June 14 to screen patients for all types of Cancer.

Pap Smears testing, dental and general clinic activities and a counselling service too will be conducted free.