The Kalutara District Development Committee met under the patronage of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Kalutara District Auditorium recently. The Minister is seen addressing the meeting. Transport Minister Kumara Welgama and Kalutara G.A. Kamal Padmasiri are also seen. Pic: Divakara Mohoti, Kalutara Group Cor.

“TCG GEMLIK” (F 492) a Turkish Naval Ship arrived at the Colombo Port on September 5, 2011. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen friendly ties. Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul, the Commander of Task Force 151 the mission oriented Task Force engaged in Counter Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden, arrived onboard, called on the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake and Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera the Director General Operations, on the same day.

The Sri Lanka Malay Association Rupee Fund distributed dry rations to mark the Holy Month of Ramazan to the needy families in Colombo recently. Here Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzie distributes a bag to a recipient. ITN Director Hashim Omar and members of the Association are also in the picture. Pic. Ruzaik Farook.

Indian real estate firm makes foray into Lanka

Indocean Developers (Pvt) Ltd, an Indian real estate firm has made its maiden overseas foray with a $400 million mixed-use, high-end project in Colombo.

The project consisting of luxury retail stores, restaurants and residential apartments is being built at a two-acre land at Sir James Peiris Mawatha and is part of the Government's plan to convert some of Colombo city's high streets into promenades.

Olcott statue unveiled in US

A statue of Col. Henry Steele Olcott, the American who revolutionised Buddhist education in Sri Lanka, was unveiled yesterday at the New Jersey Buddhist Temple, USA. The statue was created by a Sri Lankan sculptor and is based on the Olcott statue in the busiest street named after Henry Steele Olcott in Colombo.

An exhibition of photographs related to Olcott's service and the screening of a short biographical film also took place.

Ministerial meeting in New Delhi

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The biennial Ministerial Meeting on Women's Empowerment organised by the United Nations South Asia Sub-regional Office will be held in New Delhi tomorrow.Issues relating to violence against women and economic security will be discussed at this meeting.

A four-member Sri Lankan delegation led by Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karalliyadde left the island yesterday to attend this meeting.

Sky Flash in Hingurakgoda

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) base at Hingurakgoda will conduct a trade fair and educational exhibition at the base premises during which various facets of the SLAF will be projected to the public from September 14 to 18. Approximately 15 acres will be used for the exhibition site.

The exhibition will include an air show titled Sky Flash to be conducted daily by different types of aircraft, live demonstration of aircraft manoeuvres, aircraft and helicopters on ground display, flight simulators, display of aircraft or equipment engaged in combat during the humanitarian operations, aeronautical engineering stalls, and aircraft exhibits and a musical show and carnival throughout the exhibition period.

Kelani Nadee Yathra on Sept. 15

The Kelani Nadee Yathra organised by the Eco Friendly Volunteers (Eco-V), a journey to raise awareness on the adversities of climate change, will hold the final day celebrations on September 15 at the Beira Lake Kaladoowa. Western Province Minister of Environment Udaya Gammampila will be the Chief Guest.

“At the final celebrations we will share our experiences during our journey on the Kelani River,” said President of Eco-V, Kanchana Weerakoon.

According to Weerakoon salt water has caused irreparable damages to arable lands at certain locations along the Kelani River and the Eco-V hopes to raise awareness on the issue.