In Brief

Ramazan on ITN today

The ‘Eid ul Fitr’ Ramazan festival program will be telecast over ITN today at 3.30 pm.

The Thanweer Academy lecturer Moulavi Mahir and Sri Lanka Islamic Society President Ruzaik Farook will participate in the program, which will be conducted by the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum Asst. Secretary Javid Munawwar.

Roshan Fahmy’s Islamic song will also be telecast. Siddeek Haniffa is the producer.

Bakeer Markar memorial lecture

The co-founder of the Sharq Forum and the former Director General of the Al-Jazeera Network, Wadah Khanfar, will deliver the annual Deshamanya M.A. Bakeer Markar memorial lecture on September 10. Khanfar will speak on “The Arab Awakening: The Birth of a New Political Paradigm”, a topic that has generated wide interest across the world.

Khanfar is being invited and hosted by the Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity [BMCNU], an organisation that promotes the vision of late Bakeer Markar, former Speaker and Governor of the Southern Province.

During his visit Khanfar will call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and also attend a forum co-organised with the Sri Lanka Press Institute with heads of media institutions.

Sarachchandra drama festival

Lalitha Sarachchandra and the Sarachchandra Research and Activation Foundation have organised a drama festival commencing yesterday at the Borella YMBA Hall consisting of 10 major productions of Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra to mark his 16th death anniversary.

The festival includes Maname, Hasthi Kantha Mantare, Mahasara, Sinhabahu, Ratnavali (new production by Lalitha Sarachchandra), Kapuwa Kapothi and Elova Gihin Melova Awa and will conclude on August 28.

Conference on 'Buddhist Archaeology'

The SAARC International Conference on Archaeology of Buddhism_Recent Discoveries in South Asia will be held from August 22-24 at the Buddhist Cultural Centre Auditorium, Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mawatha, Colombo from 9.30 a.m.

The parley will be inaugurated by Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs.

Blood donation campaign

A blood donation campaign jointly organised by the Narada Foundation and the Warehouse Project will be held on August 25 from 9 a.m. at the Warehouse Auditorium, Maradana.

An eye camp will also be held.

Naval Assn. Get-together

A get-together of the Sri Lanka Naval Association will be held on August 26 at 9 am at the Government Resort, Wedamulla, Kelaniya. The Association will provide transport free for notified participants from the Ex-Servicemen’s headquarters at Bristol Street, Colombo 1, coordinated Lt. by Cmdr. H.C.L. Caldera (Tel: 2212529).

Sunday Island Editor’s brother passes away

The death occurred yesterday of Wimal de Silva, brother of Manik de Silva, Editor of the Sunday Island and former Editor of the Daily News and son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walwin de Silva. Funeral will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the General Cemetery, Kanatte. The remains will lie at A.F. Raymond Funeral Parlour from 10 a.m. today.

O group kidney wanted

Sixty-two-year old Beatrice Daniel of No.255/1, Kirula Road, Colombo 5 is suffering from end stage renal disease.

Renal transplant as a definitive treatment has been recommended by Consultant Nephrologist of Lanka Hospitals, Dr. Surjit Somiah.

She needs a voluntary kidney donor with blood group O positive, between the age group 40-55.

Please contact : 0777395122

Appeal for kidney

Stanley Samarajeewa (56) is suffering from chronic renal failure and needs a kidney transplant urgently. His blood group is "O" negative and needs a kidney of the "O" blood group. Any generous person with "O" blood group who wish to donate a kidney, please contact 077-9127373 or 071-8399177.

Death of Mariya Fonseka

The mother of former Associate Pictures Editor of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (Lake House) Upali Fonseka and mother-in-law of Editor of "Arogya" newspaper of Lake House Deepthi Fonseka, Mariya Fonseka has passed away.

The funeral will take place today, August 19 at 3.00 p.m. at the Wattala Roman Catholic burial ground. Her remains are lying at 19/6, Thelangapatha Road, Wattala.