A copy of the publication ‘A Democratic Initiative for Women’ was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Training and Project Director of Saviya Development Foundation (SDF), Thushara Senanayake at a ceremony at Temple Trees, organised by the Ruhunu Kala Hawla. The President is seen in discussion with SDF Chairman Dr. Winston de Silva and Chief Minister Southern Province Shan Wijayalal de Silva. Pic: Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota Group Cor.

A reception was accorded to Ven. Pandit Nugetenne Pannanandabhidana Nayaka Thera at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Vihara, Anuradhapura on his appointment as Chief Sangha Nayaka (Asgiriya Chapter) of the North and the North Central Provinces. The Maha Sangha including the Most. Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayake of Malwatte Chapter. Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Thera, Anunayake of Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Dr. Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayake Thera, Chancellor, Kelaniya University and Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayake Thera and Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister, S.M. Chandrasena, NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake and Governor Karunaratne Divilgane participated. Here Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne presents the ‘Aktha Pathra’ to Ven. Pandit Pannanandabhidana Thera.

The funeral of Chairman, Nawaloka Group of Companies, H.K. Dharmadasa took place yesterday at the General Cemetery, Borella before a large gathering. Pic: Susantha Wijegunasekera

Meritorious act by Kalyana Dharma Ashram

Twelve head of Cattle rescued from the abattoir by the Kalyana Dharma Ashram, Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo 7 will be taken in a procession today at 3.00 p.m. to Welioya to be given over to 20 low-income families at a ceremony on the following day at Mahaweli Authority Regional Office, Welioya. Hela Udawa Movement, former National Organiser, Housing and Construction Ministry Secretary P. Weerahandi will be the chief guest on the occasion.

A free medical clinic will be held for to expectant mothers and nutritional food parcels will be distributed among them.

Basawa Sree award for Dr. Ariyaratne

The leader of the Sarvodaya Movement Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne will receive the prestigious Basava Sree Award 2011 tomorrow at the Sri Murugha Math, Chithradurga, Bangalore in India. The Basava Sree was introduced in 1997 in the name Sri Basaveshwara who led a non-violent revolution 900 years ago to liberate the downtrodden masses from social, political and economic oppression in Karnataka State.

The Basava Award 2011 will be presented to Dr. Ariyaratne by Dr. Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the Head of the Sri Murugha Math in the presence of the former President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam.

Cash rewards for informants

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) will present cash rewards to persons providing information on traders hiding or over pricing stocks of cement anywhere in the country, Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said.

The minister revealed this during an inspection tour of the Boossa Economic Centre yesterday.

He said informants will receive rewards 25 percent to the value of cement recovered by the CAA from traders through raids.

He queried the questionable role of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLS) when offering the quality assurance certificates to cement imported by the government and private sector from the same company.