The Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Bruce Levy called on Justice Minister and SLMC Chief Rauff Hakeem at his residence at Kollupitiya recently. They are seen in discussion.

The monument at Kolonnawa Vihara Mawatha roundabout constructed by the Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA), Kolonnawa to mark the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatwa Jayanthi was unveiled by YMBA President and Kolonnawa Urban Councillor Saliya Wickremasinghe recently. Kolonnawa UC Chairman, S. Chandrasiri Dias, Vice Chairman U. S. Guttila Silva and UC member Reggie Paul Weerasinghe were also present. Pic: A. Sumanasena, Kolonnawa gr. corr.

S Asia’s social development ministers meet in Colombo

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Ministry of Social Services are jointly organising the Third Meeting of the UNESCO Forum of Ministers in charge of Social Development from South Asia on Social Protection Policies in South Asia at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo from February 20-22. This is in views of the World Day of Social Justice, celebrated on February 20 since 2009.

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne will address the inaugural session today, Minister of Social Services Felix Perera and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Pilar Alvarez-Laso will speak as guests of honour. The participants of the meeting include ministers from Afghanistan (Amina Afzali), Bangladesh (Enamul Haq Mostafa Shahid), Sri Lanka (Felix Perera) and high level representatives from Bhutan (Tshewang Tandin), India (Dr. Narendra Jadhav), Maldives (Mariya Ali).

Pancha Thurya in Kandy

The world renowned drummer Jananath Warakagoda presents his maiden public show 'Pancha Thurya' at Dharmaraja College auditorium, in Kandy on February 26, at 3.30 and 6.30 p.m

The show which is organised by the Old Rajans Scout Association of Dharmaraja College, is a fund raiser for the centenary celebrations of Dharmaraja Scouting which falls in 2013.

Book launch

The book launch of Kasanda Koppi, a Tamil translation of Christin Wilson's "Bitter Berry" by veteran journalist and author, R. Sadagopan will be held at the Colombo Tamil Sangam, Wellawatte on February 26, at 4.30 p.m.

Prof.S. Chandrasekaran will be the chief guest while veteran Tamil writer Teliwatte Joseph will preside. Prof. M.S. Moockiah, Prof.N. Sinnathamby, Chairman of Express Group of Newspapers Ltd. Kumar Nadesan, former Ministry Secretary M. Vamadevan and the publisher of Soorya Publications Athula Jayakody will be the guests of honour.