Sri Lanka News | Sundayobserver.lk

The Flying Solo School of Speech & Drama will present an evening of entertainment titled "Fairy Wings" at the Lionel Wendt theatre from April 23 to 25.

The entertainment in the first half will be provided by the younger children, the youngest being just two years old, who will be performing selected excerpts from the perennial children's favourite, 'Peter Pan' by J. M. Barrie.

The older children will take the boards in the second half to perform excerpts from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare. The show is in aid of the Deaf & Blind School and other charities.

This is the very first production of the Flying Solo School, and the theme for the performances - 'Fairies' - was chosen by the children themselves, who had children have designed the costumes, stage sets, story music and even helped with both the script and choreography.

In addition, they have been allowed to give their own interpretations to their roles; The task of directing this group of 50 extremely talented and creative children, most of whom have not performed on stage before, fell on Sharika Jayewardene, the Principal of the Flying Solo School.

She is assisted by Gayathri Seneviratne, a former student of the School and the dance sequences are choreographed by Tarja de Silva, also a one-time literature student of Ms. Jayewardene.

In addition, the production will have the musical backing of Menaka Sahabandu, Haasini Halpe and Anusha Tissera. Vinodh Senadheera is the Stage Manager.

Ex-Lake House staffer dies

Jayantha Aponsu, who was attached to the Production Department of ANCL, in the capacity of Senior DTP Technician passed away yesterday. Popularly known as Aponsu among his friends and colleagues, he served Lake House for 18 years and went on premature retirement in 2008, to take up his own business. His father, G. M. H. Aponsu was also in the ANCL staff of the Transport Dept., while his younger brother Pradeep is attached to the Editorial Administration Department.

He leaves his wife and two sons. The funeral will take place tomorrow, April 19 at 4.00 pm at the Hunupitiya Cemetery. His remains lies at residence, 344 Nagahawatta Road, Dalugama, Kelaniya.

Alan Ernst - In focus

Pianist Alan Ernst will perform tunes by Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane and Charlie Mingus at a concert at the Park Street News on April 23 at 7.30 p.m. He will also be play spontaneous unplanned free improvisations of his own.

A Fulbright scholar and Assistant Professor Dr. Alan Ernst, a jazz musician was formerly based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For the last few years he has been working abroad and most recently at the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi as a solo jazz pianist. Prior to this he worked for four years as the music director for Interact Centre for the Performing Arts, a theatre group with all disabled actors. He has performed at numerous venues in the United States and abroad including the Hanoi International Music Festival in 2009.

Bak Maha Ulela today

The annual Bak Maha Ulela and the get-together, organised by the Old Rajans Scout Association of Dharmaraja College will be held today at Rajapihilla Summit, Kandy from 9.00 a.m. onwards.

The Manager, Central Bank (Matale branch) Dasanasiri Bandara Dissanayaka will be the chief guest. For further details contact Ivor Jayasundera on 0714293251.

Simplify ballot paper-CWC appeals

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reform should incorporate a new clause in its proposal for simplifying the ballot paper considering the fact that over 36,000 votes in the plantation district Nuwara Eliya alone were spoilt at the April 8 General election, CWC President and Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam told the Sunday Observer. Had it not been for such a large number of spoilt votes party leader Arumugan Thondaman would have polled over 75,000 preferential votes, he said. The ballot paper was rather confusing to the plantation workers with the numerals referring to the independent groups printed above those of the party candidates.

He expressed optimism that the resounding victory of the UPFA with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Head of State for a second term will mark a new era in the life of the impoverished plantation community.

Sri Lanka stall at London Book Fair

A latest collection of books from Sri Lanka will be on display at the London Book Fair at Earl’s Court from tomorrow April 19, on a joint initiative of the Booksellers and Importers Association of Ceylon and the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association.

Over 200 books recently published in Sri Lanka will be available at the prestigious fair, which will attract booksellers, librarians and professionals from around the world.This is the first time that the two premier organisations associated with Sri Lanka’s publishing and retail trade are working together to promote Sri Lanka books at the fair.

In addition to English books some of the latest Sinhala and Tamil books will also be available.

A special 68 page publication, books in print in Sri Lanka 2010, with colour images of the books, has been specially prepared for the event.

Death of former SLFP organiser

The funeral of Attorney-at-Law S.A. Premaratna, former SLFP organiser Bulathsinghala, Western Provincial Councillor and former Chairman of the State Timber Corporation, will take place today, at the Horana public cemetery.

An attempt on his life was made, when he was shot at while returning from a trip to Suriyankanda, after appearing on behalf of the victims of terror who were killed and buried during the 1988 - 1989 terror period.

He was appointed one-man Commissioner to inquire into the working of the Ceylon Electricity Board and SLBC by the UPFA Government.

As a Student he held various important positions in Vidyodaya University Students Societies. He was an executive committee member of the Vidyodaya Jayawardanapura University Alumni Society.

The Secretary of the Alumni Society has called upon all its members to be present at the funeral. Premaratna's remains are lying at his residence at Aramanagalla, Horana.

Rains to continue

The inter-monsoonal rains are likely to continue till mid-May. These weather conditions prevail throughout the country and thundershowers may be experienced in the afternoons and evenings, Meteorologist Nandalal Peries said.

He said strong winds, lightning and thunder may intensify during the inter-monsoonal period. The Meteorological Department revealed that most victims of lightning during the last few months were children.

Safety measures for the public have been issued by the Meteorological Department and the public has been strictly warned to stick to those safety measures to minimise the damage caused by lightning.

S-E University academic program begins

The academic program for 2nd year and 3rd year students of the Faculty of Arts and Culture, Faculty of Management and Commerce and Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka will commence on April 26.All hostellers are requested to report to their respective hostels on April 25 before 5 pm.

Kelaniya varsity general convocation

The University of Kelaniya will hold the General Convocation on June 11, July 1 and July 9 to confer Degrees to graduands of the Kelaniya University who have passed First Degrees and Postgraduate Degrees during the year 2009 and up to March 31, 2010.The Registrar of the University K. Gunaratne told the Sunday Observer that the Examinations Branch of the University has sent the application forms to the private addresses of all eligible graduands to be conferred the degrees at one of the the convocation sessions.

The Registrar of the University said that the completed forms for the convocation should be sent by registered post to the Deputy Registrar, Examinations Branch, University of Kelaniya, on or before April 22, 2010.He said that more details with regard to the Convocation could be obtained from Deputy Registrar, Examinations on telephone 011-2911706.The graduands not registered for the convocation before April 22, 2010 will not have the opportunity to be conferred the Degrees at the convocation.

The forms received after April 22, 2010 will be rejected, the Registrar K. Gunaratne said.

Gemunu Watch gifts house to needy family

A five member family living in Eluthumadduval North, received a new shelter on April 15 under the generosity of the Sri Lanka Army, as 17 Gemunu Watch battalion under the command of Lt.Colonel Keerthi Kottewatta came forward to build a new house for them.

The house built by the 17 Gemunu Watch battalion under the instructions of 522 Brigade Commander Colonel D.M.S.P. Bandara and 52 Division Commander Brigadier S.A. Lal Perera was handed over to Suvandanee and her four children living in Elthumadduval North by Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Hathurusinghe.The 17 Gemunu Watch battalion completed this house with bricks and cement and handed it over to the family after a brief ceremony held on Thursday with the participation of the Jaffna GA K. Ganesh.

The series of pinkamas conducted by the popular science writer and astronomer, Anura C. Perera in 100 viharas in Sri Lanka and another 100 abroad, to invoke blessings on the country and bestow merit on his wife Chandra Indu Perera, was concluded with the offering of Sanghika dana to the Maha Sangha under the patronage of Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Anunayake thera, Chancellor, Sri Jayawardenapura University and Viharadhipathi, Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya. Here Ven. Devahandiye Pannasekera thera, Viharadhipathi, Kotte Sri Jayawardenaramaya and Chief Sangha Nayake of Colombo Navakorale and Navatotamune delivers the anusasana.Ven. Rajakeeya pandita Ahangama Ananda thera, Viharadhipthi, Sri Vijayaramaya, Wellawatte, Ven. Atapattukande Ananda thera of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya and Vice Principal of Ananda Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo and Ven. Devundara Dhammaruchi thera, Viharadhipathi, Sri Vijayaramaya, Rajagiriya and Dr. Chandana Jayaratne, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Colombo University were also present at the alms giving.

The awards presentation of the oratorical contest organised by the State Timber Corporation on ‘Preserve the Environment for the future generation’ among schools in Colombo district was held recently at the corporation’s auditorium. Here the winner of the Senior division Navin Lakmal Chandrasekera (Prince of Wales Moratuwa) receives his award from the chief guest, former Minister and the MP for Colombo district Patali Champika Ranawaka. - Pic. Wehelle Piyathilaka, Maharagama sp. cor.

The Sri Lankan office of the Sri Premananda International Centre in India was opened recently at Battaramulla, with the participation of delegates from the main centre in India, Sri Lankan coordinators and devotees. The Secretary of the International Centre, Anitha, Treasurer, Gowri, Asst. Secretary, Prasanth and Asst. Treasurer Kanthan were among the Indian delegation. An abishekam was performed to the statues of Ganesh, Amman and Krishna which were earlier blessed by Swami Premananda. Sri Lankan Co-ordinator Thalatha Perera, Anitha, Prasanth, , Gowri and Kanthan are also in the picture.

`An Incomplete Sentence - The Cinema of Dharmasena Pathiraja’, a collection of writings delving on the cinematic creations and vision of Dharmasena Pathiraja, was launched at the National Film Corporation auditorium recently. The book was edited by Sivamohan Sumathy, Robert Crusz and Ashley Ratnavibhushana and published by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC). Here Mrs. Ranjanee Ratnavibhushana hands over a copy of the book to Dr. Pathiraja, on behalf of the editors. Pic. Sudam Gunasinghe.

In brief

'Fairy Wings' at Lionel Wendt