Sri Lanka News | Sundayobserver.lk

The Tissa Abeysekara Memorial Lecture was held at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation on Thursday. A book on the veteran director Abeysekara titled Cinema Sanskruthika Pragnaya, an ANCL publication, was also launched on the occasion. Here ANCL Chairman Bandula Padmakumara presenting the first copy, a collection of articles written by prominent personalities in the Sinhala cinema, to veteran film director Mrs. Sumithra Peries. Amara Hewa Madduma , Ms. Asanka Abeysekara, NFC Chairman Kumar Abeysinghe, Silumina Chief Editor Karunadasa Suriyarachchi and Rasanduna Editor Sunil Mihindukula, who edited the compilation, were also present. - Pic: by Geeth de Mel

Minister lays foundation stone

Foundation stone was laid for the new Civil Appeal Court building at the Vavuniya Court Complex recently.

Minister of Justice Athauda Seneviratne along with the Deputy Minister of Justice Reginald Cooray, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Suhada Gamlath and Civil Appellate Judge J. Vishvanathan participated at the event.

CEA concerned over dengue epidemic

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA), which has stepped into dengue eradication in support of Presidential Task Force on Dengue Eradication, has sent directives to all local authorities to implement proper waste disposal systems to clean the hot spots of dengue mosquitoes.

The CEA Chairman Charitha Herath said together with the Ministry of Health, local authorities would commence islandwide ‘cleaning campaign week ‘ to destroy the water stagnated places in vulnerable areas, from August 2 to 9.

He said dengue had spread widely due to improper garbage disposal, where some of the local authorities dumped the waste in haphazard manner.

“We requested all the public and private sector to join hands with the CEA and support the government to control the pathetic situation, where thousands of dengue patients were reported during the first six months of this year”, he said.

Herath said during the week all public institutions, including schools and hospitals, would clean their environs and would continue on monthly basis.

- SS

War Heroes facilitated

The annual Ranaviru felicitation ceremony organised by the Colombo Nalanda College’s Junior Old Boys’ Association will be held on August 02 at 3.30 p.m. at the Nalanda War Heroe’s memorial. To coincide with the occasion the Ranaviru Flag day will also be launched, with the pinning of the first flag on old Nalandian President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees.

A get-together of all Nalandian War Heroes will be held at the BMICH, Colombo later in the day.

Frequent power failures hit Pothupitiya residents

Frequent power failures have plagued the Pothupitiya area in Kalutara during the past few months.

Despite numerous complaints by residents living along Pothupitiya North Circular Road, Delgashandiya and Katuwangoda - Pelawatte Pushparama Mawatte, no action has been taken by the Ceylon Electricity Board, Panadura to cut the overhead branches of trees, which fall on transmission lines.

Fifteen Lankan fishermen arrested

Indian Coast Guard has arrested 15 Sri Lankan fishermen and apprehended three fishing boats on charges of illegal fishing in Indian waters.

The ship 'Veera' of Tuticorin station was located 80 nautical miles off south west coast of Kanyakumari. Commandant Udhal Singh of the Coast Guard Station, Tuticorin, said the boats, which had been seized, were "Kumudumali", "Ramani" and "Pombi Kumar".

The Coast Guard had increased its surveillance to thwart any such incident, Mr. Singh added. Interrogations revealed that the boats were engaged in fishing when apprehended and no suspicious documents had been found. The arrested persons were handed over to the local police.

School students taken on picnic for the first time

Fifty six girls and boys, studying at Pappamotai Maha Vidyalaya, Mannar along with their parents numbering 17 and 5 teachers were taken on a picnic for the first time in the school's history, following an initiative taken by 212 Brigade under Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni.

As the clock struck 5.30 in the morning on Friday (23), these students boarded a private bus provided by the Army at their cost and taken to Anuradhapura, Mihinthale and other places of religious and cultural importance in Anuradhapura. The entire tour brought about shock and surprise to these students since it was the first time that they had joined a picnic of this nature after thirty years. Importance of those places was explained to the students in both Tamil and Sinhala languages.

All of them were provided with breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the journey while many of them started singing on the way and were enthusiastically curious during the trip. They had a respite near the famous, 'Nuwara Wewa' and enjoyed the serene atmosphere for some time. That tour ended at about 7.30 the same evening when they returned to the school premises.

The tour was organised on the instructions of the Commander, Security Forces, Wanni and coordinated by Brigadier M.A.M. Dias, Area Commander, Mannar. (defence.lk)

More AP mines uncovered in clearing operations

Security forces personnel continuing search and clearing operations in areas of Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts uncovered more Anti-Personnel (AP) mines, laid by LTTE terrorists.

A total of 138 AP mines were uncovered from the general area, Mahilankulam while two were uncovered from Omanthai in the clearing operations conducted yesterday, 30th July.

Meanwhile, troops attached to 61 Division uncovered 64 AP mines in clearing operations conducted in Periyapandivirchchan, Palampiddi and Malwaryankaddaiadampan areas on the same day.

Separately, troops attached to Mannar area HQ conducted clearing operations in Karukandal, Kollankulam and Areanarikkulam areas and uncovered 18 AP mines, military report received from the army HQ said.

Special traffic arrangement today

A special traffic arrangement has been made for vehicles plying along Sri Jayewardenapura Road (Parliament Drive) near the Welikada Police station to Ayurveda junction for the second successive day today as the Road Development Authority is carpeting the road.

The lane of the road normally used by vehicles moving towards Borella between Welikada Police and Ayurveda junction on the Sri Jayewardenapura Road will be closed for carpeting today (1) and the other lane of the road will be divided into two for vehicular traffic. If there is any traffic congestion it is planned to divert vehicles to Cotta Road.

"Uda Walawe" now in UK

A Sri Lankan elephant habitat and walkway, named "Uda Walawe", with a distinctly Sri Lankan theme was opened in Twycross Zoo, situated in Leicestershire, UK.

Twycross Zoo, which attracts half a million visitors each year, will be the first in the world with a Sri Lankan themed elephant habitat. "Uda Walawe" will promote the conservation of the Asian elephants and act as a shop window for crucial wildlife conservation programs in Sri Lanka.

"It is our ambition to encourage visits to the wildlife areas of Sri Lanka and to share with our visitors the magical aura of Sri Lanka. It is our desire to create a little piece of Sri Lanka in the UK and an opportunity for visitors to learn about and also visit Sri Lanka to see how beautiful this country is," said Suzanne Boardman, Director of Twycross Zoo. We are delighted that our visitors will be able to experience a taste of Sri Lanka, as well as learn about the cultural and historical aspects of this wonderful country, including the important role that the domesticated elephant has had on the country, she said.

"Our aim is for this exhibit to forge strong links between the UK and Sri Lanka, particularly with regard to tourism. The opening of this new exhibit will help promote the need to conserve this important species globally and highlight the importance of elephants in Sri Lanka," she added.

(defence.lk)

Kilinochchi becomes an economic hub

LTTE's former stronghold Kilinochchi where many firce battles were fought against security forces becomes a more conducive centre for the people in the North. It has now become an economic hub too. With the development of infrastructure including the road network, power and drinking water, Kilinochchi has also transformed into a commercial centre for producers as well as consumers of the North and South.

The Ambaalkulam public market in Kilinochchi and the fair premises are now flooded with traders as well as consumers.

The government has expedited the construction of the Ambaalkulam trade centre to provide more facilities to its stakeholders.

Parliamentarians Kanaka Herath and Eric Weerawardena recently inspected its activities. Kilinochchi is becoming a live concept in the aspiration for a new Sri Lanka devoid of terrorist threats.

Chandra Ratnayake passes away

Mrs. L.D. Chandra Ratnayake (84) of 'Sirikatha', Gemunu Mawatha, Homagama passed away. She was the wife of the late C.E. Ratnayake and mother of Mahinda Ratnayake, both of them former Lake House employees.

In Brief