Sri Lanka News | Sundayobserver.lk

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the new court complex at Tangalle recently. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Justice Minister Athauda Seneviratne, Supreme Court Judge Shirani Bandaranayake, Deputy Health Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa were present. - Pic: by Sudath Malaweera

The National Insurance Trust Fund Magampura was inaugurated by the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa at Hambantota recently. Here the Speaker being accorded a welcome by the President, Senaka Abeygunasekara and the Board of directors of the fund.
- Pic: Irfan Zakariya, Hambantota Thinakaran special cor.

The annual Katina ceremony of the ancient Nagadeepa Temple at Nainathivu, Jaffna was conducted successfully last week with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy. A large number of civilians from Jaffna and pilgrims from the South took part in the event. At the beginning of the ceremony, a colourful multi-cultural pageant wound its way along the road around the island. This was followed by a Dhamma sermon. The following day, a robe-offering ceremony was held followed by an alms-giving for the Maha Sangha.

Acting Minister of Education

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed Justice Minister, Athauda Seneviratne as acting Minister of Education.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane has left for Korea to participate in a workshop on education.

Program to mark Sambuddha Jayanthi 2011

Lanka Knowledge Bank Chairman and Astronomer Anura C. Perera has launched a program to supply pictures, pirith, CDs, books, posters and banners on Buddhism for distribution among Buddhist Viharas and temples in foreign countries and Sri Lanka to mark the Sambuddha Jayanthi 2011.

He calls upon the bhikkus and laymen to furnish the names of such institutions, names and addresses of resident bhikkhus, their telephone/fax/email numbers and websites to Chairman, Lanka Knowledge Bank, 23 Sapumal Place, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.

Dies of attack with cricket bat

The father-in-law who tried to intervene in a quarrel between his son-in-law and daughter was admitted to the Ragama Hospital following head injuries when the son-in-law hit him on the head with a cricket bat. He succumbed to the injuries at the Ragama Hospital last week, the Police Spokesman said.

The incident occurred near the father-in-law's house at Mugalangamuwa in the Seeduwa area around 8.30 pm on October 31 when the quarrel broke out. The deceased was identified as K. Somasiri Appuhamy, aged 59, a resident of Mugalangamuwa.

Meanwhile, the suspect had fled the area and his whereabouts are not known, the Police said.

Funeral of President's Addl. Secretary's sister today

Mrs. Sripalee Dahanayake (49) wife of businessman and landed proprietor, Sunil Dahanayake and mother of Layandanie, Chirandanie and Sachithdanie (Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo) expired.She was the sister of Additional Presidential Secretary, Gamini Senarath and daughter of late Registrar Lionel Sedara Senarath of Hakmana. Her remains lie at her residence No. 280, Wakwella Road, Galle.

Cremation will take place today, Nov. 7 at 5.00 p.m. at Dadalla crematorium, Galle.

Heavy rains in Kandy

Heavy rains are being experienced in the hill capital from Thursday afternoon which has affected normal life. This rain which started on Thursday around 3 p.m. continued into the night and the following day too, with the Sun never coming out.

There was a brief respite on Friday night and it came down heavily yesterday morning and extremely gloomy conditions prevailed. Tea Small Holders in the Kandy area said that the rain had affected the plucking of green leaf and kitul tappers too are affected as they cannot climb the trees which are slippery.

FMTA condemns assault on VC

The Faculty of Medicine Teachers Association (FMTA) of the University of Colombo has noted with concern the recent incidents at the University of Ruhuna.

The Colombo FMTA in a news release, has strongly condemned the assault on Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, Prof. Susirithi Mendis and called upon the authorities to speedily identify the culprits and take appropriate disciplinary action.The Colombo FMTA has emphasised the need for universities to be environment conducive to teaching and learning activities, and has further called upon the authorities to ensure the safety of all university academic staff.

The Colombo FMTA has reaffirmed that there is no place for violence in a civilised society, particularly in the university system.

'the untamed road' on Nov 12, 13, 14

Surgeon Rear Admiral Lalith Ekanayake will hold an exhibition of wildlife photographs, "the untamed road", a visual miscellany of the Sri Lankan wilderness on November 12, 13, 14 from 9.00 am - 7.00 pm at the Harold Peiris Gallery, Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre, 18, Guilford Crescent, Colombo 7.

Media, printing exhibition in Qatar

The Media Expo and Printing Technology Exhibition is scheduled to take place from May 24 to 26, 2011 in Doha, Qatar, according to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar.

According to the organisers, this exhibition will provide an opportunity to participants to establish business relations and identify the latest developments in media technology and presentation of media products and development and to interact with business leaders, suppliers and manufacturers of new and different types of consumers at all levels and to promote cooperation to establish business relations locally and globally.

The exhibition will showcase the growth and future development in information in Arabic and international networks which will represent major investment opportunities in Qatar, the organisers said.

Art Competition

The Junior Observer, Colour Lines (art) competition will be held from November 21, in collaboration with Ritzbury, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. Valuable gift packs will be given to three lucky winners each week. The first prize will be a gift pack to the value of Rs. 2,500, the second prize will be Rs.1,500 and the third prize Rs.1,000 The competition is open to children between the ages of 5-16.

Your entries (done preferably on A-4 size papers) should be addressed to Junior Observer-Ritzbury Art Competition, Lake House, 35, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10. More details appear in the Junior Observer.

Rice flour products to be popularised

A program to popularise rice flour based food items was launched by the Government, said National Food Promotion Board (NFPB) Chairman Kumudini Gunasekera.

She said 10 rice flour processing mills would be set up soon. The first mill has been already established in Kalankuttiya in the Anuradhapura district.

Another will be set up soon in Malpetthawa, Ambalantota where five acres of land has already been purchased.

Killinochchi has been selected to set up a rice flour processing mill, she said.

Cancer: She needs help

Forty-three year old Mrs. P.H. Rathnawathi has been diagnosed with cancer of the breast, by the specialists of the Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya.

Rathnawathi who is presently undergoing radiotherapy at the Maharagama Hospital, appeals for financial assistance from benefactors.

Contributions from well-wishers may be remitted to Sampath Bank, Galle branch, in favour of A/c No. 103553623153.

Spinal deformity: School girl appeals

Gayathri Maheshika Gunaratne, a Grade 11 student of Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa is suffering from spinal deforming and the specialist have recommended surgery at Chennai Apollo Hospital in India which involves Rs. 2.2 million. Her parents are not in a position to meet the expenses and kindly request philanthropists to help save her the life.

Contributions could be remitted to: Bank of Ceylon, Katubedda, A/c No. 70724492 or Commercial Bank, Katubedda A/c No. 8114019228.

In brief