Amadahara Vesak Zone from May 17-19

The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) will host this year’s Amadahara Vesak Zone to coincide with the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, on a grand scale.

The Amadahara Vesak Zone will be conducted from May 17-19 in the precincts of Lake House.

Entries for Vesak lanterns and other decorations made out of local raw materials will be entertained this year as well.

Attractive prizes are on offer for the winning entries. Further details can be obtained from 011-2319761 (Dilshan) and 011-2429373 (Udara).

ID delays - SMS Dept

The Department of Registration of Persons has introduced a system under which those who experience delays in receiving their National Identity Cards can make inquiries.

Under the new system applicants could make all inquiries in this regard by sending an SMS to 1919 in the following manner: rpdsts or accessing website www.rpd.gov.lk or www.srilanka.lk.

Stray dogs at Nanuoya railway station

by P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

The Nanuoya Railway Station which caters to the needs of Holiday travellers both locals and foreigners, despite of the Station being kept tidy and clean, the Stray Dogs menace is on the increase inside the station.

These dogs sleep below the benches and chairs but the moment it sees outside stray dog coming in, the entire lot keep on howling and some times the visitors raise their legs or stand on their benches and chairs to their utter dismay, although some of the foreign visitors are lovers of the dogs. The Beggar menace has reduced in the Railway Station to a greater degree due to the Police patrolling the Station.

New Year celebrations in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts

Tamil-Sinhala New Year celebrations were held with great enthusiasm in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts where resettlement activities are now in progress.The textile shops in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu were having good sale for the first time in several years, sources said.

Traders from South were also seen bringing their goods to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.Security forces command in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts had organised cultural and sports events with a participation of large number of people from the areas.

Suren – new YMBA president

The new President of the Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) Suren Abeyagoonasekera has pledged to pursue avenues to make YMBA, the most respected Buddhist institution in the country.

Suren Abeyagoonasekera has been appointed as 12th President of Colombo YMBA on 9th April.

The new YMBA President in his speech said: that the destiny has bestowed an important duty on him, on the eve of Sambudatva Jayanthiya which will commemorate the 2600th year from the Engligtenment of Gautama Buddha, and to lead this esteemed organisation to protect and nurture Sambuddha Sasana.

YMBA was formed at the end of the 19th Century to protect the Sambuddha Sasana, from occupying forces and missionaries, by a Group of eminent, learned Buddhist Youth, who later became the backbone of the freedom struggle of this country. They were not mere politicians, but patriotic Statesmen.This Association was supported, nurtured and protected by men of calibre who were honest, dedicated above all with Wisdom.

Hindus in Colombo celebrated the Sinhala-Hindu New Year with religious observances. A chariot festival was also held at Sri Muttu Vinayagar Temple at Chetti Street, Colombo on Friday. Here the devotees worship the deity on the Chariot.  - Pic: A. Maduraveeran, North Colombo Cor.