Sri Lanka News | Sundayobserver.lk

The inaugural ceremony of the National Flag Day organised by the Prisoners’ Welfare Society to provide assistance to prisoner families was held at Lake House last Tuesday. Here former Prisons Commissioner, M. P. Sarath Chandra pins a flag on ANCL Chairman Bandula Padmakumara. Prisons Welfare Society Vice President Indrani Iriyagolla and activists A. Nimal Alwis, Nissanka Madurapperuma, L.P. Jayaweera and Janaka Dissanayake were also present.

Int'l Forestry and Environment Symposium

The fifteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium will be held from November 26-27, 2010 at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This symposium provides a forum for researchers and other stakeholders in Forestry and Environment sectors to present their research findings and experience and networking with policy-makers and industry. The symposium, under the theme "Developments in Forestry and Environment in 2010" is organised by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Further details can be obtained from the Symposium Organising Committee, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +94 (0) 11 2804685, Fax: +94 (0)11 2801604 (199)

Durian demand exceeds supply

by Nuwara Eliya Group Cor.

The Kotmale Valley which was famous for blacksmiths who turned out agricultural implements and other equipment and is popular for kitul jaggery, and kitul treacle. avocado pears, and delicious bananas now thriving with rich durian fruits during this Ramadhan festive season. The holiday crowds visiting this area via Gampola, Ramboda stop awhile and relish the durian fruits and bananas.

According to the farmers who grow the durian fruits they are unable to meet the demand of the customers during this season despite the rich harvest.

SLTB to build close rapport with commuters

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has launched a program to establish a close rapport between bus crews and commuters.SLTB chairman M.D Bandusena said that public often complain that drivers and conductors are very rude to passengers.

This unhealthy situation needs to be done away with as early as possible in the interests of the public. Passengers need a peaceful environment when they travel in SLTB buses, the chairman said.

Before the bus starts the driver and the conductor should have a good rapport with the passengers and till then where the bus stops for refreshments before reaching the destination, he said.This program has worked well in long distance bus services such as Colombo - Anuradhapura, Colombo - Kataragama and Colombo - Nuwara Eliya, the chairman said.The income of the SLTB has increased sharply. The June and July income had increased by Rs. 90 million and Rs. 150 million compared to the corresponding months of the previous year, the chairman said.

Muslims in Jaffna celebrate Ramazan

The mosques in the Jaffna peninsula conducted prayers for the Ramazan festival for the first time in two decades on Friday, informed sources said.

Nine mosques in various parts in the Jaffna peninsula held their prayers with the significant participation of Muslim devotees, sources said.

The Muslims from the Northern Province, who had been living in the region for several centuries were forcibly evicted by the LTTE in the mid nineties.

The movable and the immovable assets of the Northern Muslims were in disarray following their exodus from the North, sources said.

However, a large number of Muslims have returned to various parts in the North following the defeat of LTTE terrorism last year sources said.

Muslims in the North have re-established their bissiness activities after rebuilding their houses and business establishments, sources said.

Therefore for the first time in two decades Jaffna's Muslims were seen celebrating the Ramazan festival in Jaffna without any hindrance sources said. (AP)

Focus on uplift of Ayurveda - Minister GamageFocus on uplift of Ayurveda - Minister Gamage

An effort is being made to popularise the Ayurveda system of treatment in Sri Lanka and also in several other nations in the world. The Ayurveda system will enable us to earn foreign exchange in the future, said Minister of Indigenous Medicine Piyasena Gamage.

He was addressing the opening ceremony of a newly 'Hela Veda Gedera' that consists of 12 beds and a library at a cost of Rs. 2.2 million in Eheliyagoda.

Lectures for Medical Nursing Students

The Eastern University of Sri Lanka said the lectures for the Medical and Nursing Students of the Faculty of Health-Care Sciences will commence on September 15, at No. 50, New road, Batticaloa.

Students who are eligible for hostel accommodation are requested to report to the Faculty, before 5.00 p.m. on September 14.

For further details, students are requested to contact the Dean of the Faculty or the Senior Assistant Registrar/Examinations through e-mail: euexam@ yahoo.co.uk or visit the University web site: www.esn.ac.lk

'Jesus Today' : Closing date Oct. 31

The Kithusara community has organised an electronic cultural pageant on 'Jesus Today' to awaken Sri Lankan Christian literature, to produce new creative writers and promote literature on Christian liberation through the electronic media.

The competitions include; short films, photography, short power point presentation, animation of short creations, short documentaries and creating picture for hymns.

The closing day for accepting creations is October 31. For further details contact Rev. Fr. Sherad Jayawardena on 071-4259133

Help Malsha Sugandi

Four-year-old Malsha Sugandi of J47, Panapitiya, Ampagala is suffering from a severe heart disease and Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Sandeep Shrivastava of Nawaloka Hospital, has advised urgent surgery (Atrial Septal Defect surgery) for correction.

The cost is estimated to be around Rs. 400,000 and the parents are unable to bear the expenses.

They appeal to kind donors, who may remit to People's Bank, Ruwanwella Branch (081) A/c No. 209-202150-2.

Help her to hear

Three-year-old J.M.L.H. Lithmi Hirudini Jayawardane of Kotuwegedara, Kotikapola, Mawathagama is suffering from severe profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears.

The Consultant E.N.T. Surgeon of Peradeniya Hospital Dr. H.M.S.B. Ethulgama has recommended urgent cochlear implant surgery to restore her hearing.

The surgery and the post-surgery rehabilitation program is estimated to cost around Rs. 2,050,000. The baby's father, D.M.C.M. Dissanayake is unable to foot this bill due to his financial plight.

He appeals to the generous public to help him in this cause by remitting their contributions A/c No. 199-2-011-0-0016725 of the People's Bank, Mawathagama. Please Contact: 037-2298257.

AGM next Sunday

The eighth Annual General Meeting and Get-together of the Irrigation Department Ex-Officers Association will be held at the "Randiya Hotel", Koralawella, Moratuwa on September 19 at 10.00 am.

Prisons day

A National ceremony to mark Prisoners' Day will be held at the SLFI Colombo today.

Get-together

Sri Lanka Law College Batch of '93 Get-together (those who entered Law College in 1993 and took oaths in 1996) will be held on September 18 from 9 a.m. at the Ramada Resort, Kalutara (former Golden Sun).

Contact Malika Gunasekera on 0777-577 179, Dimuthu Senarath Bandara 0777-739 273, Kaushalya Navaratne 0777-879 559 and Upul Kumarapperuma 0777-316 329.

In brief