In brief
 

The 42nd annual prize giving of St.Lawrence’s Convent, Colombo 6 was held recently. The First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa was the chief guest. Here she is greeted with a memento from the Principal, Rev. Sr. Chandrika Perera. The General Manager of Catholic Schools Rev. Fr. Ranjith Madurawala who was the guest of honour, was also present.

Vesak Poya 2011 to Vesak Poya 2012 will be declared as the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Year to mark the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi. The Old Anandians Buddhist Association has organised a series of programs to mark this event.The Association has printed a sticker to be distributed islandwide and the first sticker was handed over to Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne at the Prime Minister’s office recently. Here the President of the Association Col. Sudath Madugalla hands over the first sticker to the Prime Minister. Ven. Diviyagaha Yassassi Nayake Thera, Chief Patron, Ven. Habarakada Indraratana Anunayake Thera, Secretary of the Association Wijeyantha Ariyaratne and Principal Ananda College L.M.D. Dharmasena are also seen. Pic: Edward Weerasinghe

Three distinguished Old Anandians heading Sri Lanka’s leading media institutions were felicitated at the ‘Ananda Rathriya’ held at P. de S. Kularatna Hall of Ananda College yesterday. Here Chairman of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., Bandula Padmakumara and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sarath Kongahage receive their tokens of appreciation from the Principal of Ananda College, L.M.D. Dharmasena. The other recipient is Chairman of ITN, Rosmand Senarathne. Pic: Sudath Malaweera.

Workshop on Constitution

The Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity (BMCNU) will conduct a workshop on Tuesday to promote the engagement of civic organisations and the public towards the process of Constitution-making.

The workshop is conducted on the theme 'Towards a democratic Constitution to unite the nation" and will be held at Marine Grand, Marine Drive, Wellawatta at 9.00 am under the auspices of BMCNU Patron Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku.

President, BMCNU, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar told the Sunday Observer that the objective of the workshop is to call for the inclusion of the views and aspirations of the Sri Lankan public into the process of Constitution-drawing.Several political leaders including Ministers Dulles Alahapperuma, Prof. Tissa Vitarana and D.E.W. Gunasekara, MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Rauff Hakeem, Vijitha Herath, Eswarapatham Saravanapavan and WPC Member Udaya Gammanpila will present their views at the workshop. -AK

Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer on ITN tonight

Due to popular requests there will be a repeat telecast of the 32nd Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy cricketer of the Year contest on ITN at 10 tonight.

Heart patient needs pacemaker

Nihal Karunathilake (52) of 298/1, Eluwapitiya, Veyangoda, is suffering from a severe heart ailment.

Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist of the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) Cardiology Unit has recommended a Bi-Ventricular Pacemaker (CRT device) to be implanted to avoid heart failure.

The surgery could be done in the Cardiology Unit of the CNH - and the cost of the procedure and the pacemaker is expected to be around Rs. 800,000 (Eight lakhs).

He appeals to well-wishers and the general public for assistance. All the contributions may be remitted to A/C No. 1-0092-02-68445 of the National Savings Bank, Veyangoda branch. Tel: 071-8350944.

Postgraduate Convocation on July 21

The Postgraduate Convocation of the University of Colombo will be held on Wednesday July 21 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) for the conferment of postgraduate degrees and diplomas.

The Convocation will be of three sessions. Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Chancellor of the University of Colombo will confer degrees and diplomas. One thousand five hundred and twenty two (1,522) postgraduands/diplomates will be conferred with degrees/diplomas.

Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia who will be conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) will deliver the convocation address.

‘Home Makers Haven’ on July 31

The Sri Lanka Housewives Association will present the 23rd annual fund raiser "Home Makers Haven - A coffee Morning with a difference" on Saturday, July 31 from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo 3.

It will be a fun filled morning with songs and dance, fashion show by Shobras, skit, raffle and souvenir draws and many more.

Faizal and his Bank will be attendance along with Chandana's dance troupe and Antonio's Latino dancers to mesmerise the audience.

A part of the proceeds of the event will be donated to the Sri Lanka Cancer Society.