In brief

Blessings from the Maha Sangha: President Mahinda Rajapaksa celebrated forty years in politics which coincided with Vesak Day. He visited the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya to pay homage to the Noble Triple Gem. Here the Viharadhipathi Galaboda Gnanissara Thera invokes blessings on the President by placing the Casket of Relics on his head.  - Pic: Sudath Silva

Japan’s Kankyo Institute Chief, Keiji Omori introduced to Sri Lanka a modern siren to be used as a means of minimizing the human-elephant conflict. The first siren was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by the pioneer of the National Namal Uyana project Ven. Vanavasi Rahula Thera recently.

The Chairperson of the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Ioma Rajapaksa unveiling the plaque at the War Heroes housing scheme at the Paradise Housing Scheme at Athawa-Wariyapola on May 24. The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe and Malathie Samarasinghe the President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit are also in the picture.

ANCL Amadahara: The third and final day of Amadahara, the ANCL Vesak Zone, opposite Lake House was held yesterday. Here Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, W. B. Ganegala lights the oil lamp to inaugurate the function. ANCL Chairman, Bandula Padmakumara and Director Operations, Upul Dissanayake look on. Pic: Sudath Nishantha

 

Mumbai, INDIA: (L-R) Indian Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, Sri Lankan Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara laugh at a news conference in Mumbai on May 29, 2010 to promote The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards. Sri Lanka will host top Indian movie stars for the annual "Bollywood Oscars" weekend that showcases one of the world's most ambitious and prolific film industries. The June 3-5 event will feature performances, premieres, celebrity parties, workshops, business forums, fashion shows and a Twenty20 cricket match. AFP

 

Jaffna Grand Mosque reopened

by Mohammed Naalir

The Jaffna Grand Mosque was officially reopened last Friday with Jummah prayers after almost two decades, Organiser of the ceremony Mowlavi Abdullah Faiz said.The Jummah sermon was conducted under the theme `Unity and Peace’ by Mowlavi M.J. Abdul Kalik, Director, Ibnu Umar Hadees Education Centre and Senior Lecturer of Al-Madrasathul Rashadiya in Colombo Grand Markas.It is now fully renovated and could accommodate more than 3,000 devotees in prayers.

Mowlavi Faiz said that 46 Mowlavies, who were born in Jaffna and are currently engaged in Dawa campaigns in Tamil Nadu, also participated in the opening ceremony.

Lesley Rupasinghe elected President

The Project Coordinating Officer of the Defence Ministry, Lesley Rupasinghe has been elected President of the Sri Lanka Scout Association (SLSA) for the year 2010/2011.

Earlier, he was the Managing Director of the Oils and Fat Company Ltd and the Chairman of the Agriculture Development Authority (ADA).

Before assuming duties as the President, Rupasinghe acted as Vice President and executive committee member of the SLSA. He is an old boy of St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.

Shiromy excels in TOPCIMA

Miss. Shiromy Mohamed Ali scored the highest marks at the TOPCIMA November 2009 exam by obtaining 87, among 4,684 candidates worldwide, which is considered as the topmost achievement in CIMA education. This is the first time a Sri Lankan student became first in the world in TOPCIMA.

Shiromy is also an undergraduate of the Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo, and an old girl of Muslim Ladies College, Colombo 4 and Methodist College, Colombo 3. She is the daughter of Mohamed Ali, retired Customs Officer and Mrs. Ali, a retired teacher of Sainthamaruthu in the Ampara district.

Here Shiromy with an award from the All Ceylon Muslim Education Conference which felicitated her at the Wellawatte Marine Drive Hotel recently.

Pic: Ashraff A. Samad, Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Sp. Cor.

Houses donated to Navy heroes

New houses were donated to families of Petty officer H.R.M.S Vipulathilaka, Petty officer M.G.K.J Darmawardena, Petty Officer D.M.R.P.K Dissanayake who were killed in action and to Able Seaman A.M.S. Abeykoon who was disabled in action. The family of Electrical Mechanic R.D.C. Jayarathna who died due to sudden illness was also donated a new house.

A former officer of the Naval Volunteer Force, Lieutenant K.G.S. Udayasiri donated the land for the War Heroes housing scheme.

Six new bank branches for North

Six new bank branches will be opened in the Northern Province on June 7 to facilitate economic activities in the area, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said.

Accordingly, the People’s Bank will open three new branches in Kilinochchi, Mankulam and Paranthan while the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC and Seylan Bank PLC are to open one branch each in Kilinochchi. The Nations Trust Bank PLC will open a branch in Jaffna. Consequently, Kilinochchi will get three new bank branches, while Paranthan, Mankulam and Jaffna will be benefited with one branch each.

The Central Bank has granted approval to establish more new bank branches in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. These branches will be opened in the next few months. The Colombo Stock Exchange too has opened a branch in Jaffna.