In Brief

Sisu Seriya strengthened

by Naalir Jamaldeen

Steps have been taken to add 100 more buses to “Sisu Seriya” fleet from next month. With the new addition to the “Sisu Seriya” fleet, an efficient service can be provided to students the National Transport Commission (NTC) sources said.

Already 1,135 buses operate under the “Sisu Seriya” program and Rs. 50 million was spent for this program, the sources said. The new program will help the students to get school in time and get home after school in time. CTB and Private buses operate under the “Sisu Seriya” logo, the sources said.

O+ Kidney needed

Fifty-year-old N.K. Sunil Shantha is suffering from End Stage kidney failure and the Consultant Nephrologist of the National Hospital, Colombo, Dr. Nadeeka K. Ratnamalala has recommended immediate kidney transplantation to save his life. His blood group is O+ve. Those who wish to donate a kidney may contact him on 0344916495/0717652006/034-2269867/0774541961 and those who wish to make financial contributions may remit same to

A/c No. 816864, Bank of Ceylon, Horana.

Blood donation today

The annual blood donation campaign of the Postal Ministry will be held today for the 11th consecutive year at Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaranatunga's residence today (18), Postal Services Ministry sources said.

Prominent artists and the security forces help in the blood donation campaign every year.

Blood collected at the campaign will be donated to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, the sources said.

CAPSCA-AP meeting from 20-23

Sri Lanka will host the seventh Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Aviation-Asia Pacific (CAPSCA-AP) from May 20-23 under the patronage of Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne, Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardene and several top officials. The Agenda includes prevention of communicable diseases and resolving common health problems. The Hilton Hotel will be the venue.

Forensic Medicine awards ceremony on May 24

The awards ceremony of the Diploma Course in Forensic Medicine and Science will be held on May 24 at 9.30 p.m. at the Faculty of Medicine, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8. The commencement of the course for the academic year 2014 will also be held on the same day. The course is open to practising lawyers and to those who hold a first degree in Law.

Justice Eva Wanasundera will be the chief guest.

Ho Chi Minh Memorial prize-giving tomorrow

The prize-giving of Ho Chi Minh Memorial Essay Competition will be held tomorrow at 3.00 p.m. at the Colombo Public Library Auditorium, presided over by the Ambassador of Vietnam, Ton Sinh Thanh.

New dwellings for houseless

by P.P.G. Sugathadasa, Thihagoda group cor.

Community development activities in the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha division have made a significant progress. Proposed projects include construction of houses for low income families, putting up of latrines for needy families and also award of scholarships for children of low income families and many other welfare activities.

St. Sebastian's feast on grand scale

by Sivam Packiyanathan Batticaloa Special Cor.

The annual feast of St, Sebastian's was celebrated on a grand scale at Puliyadikkuda near the New Kallady bridge, Batticaloa on Sunday.

It was preceded by the procession along the Batticaloa town streets.

The festive mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Paul Satkunanayagam and the parish priest K. Akilraj with the parish priest of St. Ignatius" church Rev. Fr. Jeevaraj Dutch Bar, Kallady.

The plan to set up a heritage centre around the Batticaloa Fort with US Aid has been on the boards for a long time.

Tamil language teachers needed

by H.L. Sunil Shantha, Kalutara Central Special Cor.

The Wadduwa Central College of Kalutara Education Zone, does not have a teacher to teach Tamil. The government has felt the dire need of teaching Tamil for the Sinhalese and Sinhala for Tamil students.

There are over 600 students in the school who wish to study Tamil from grade 6 to 10.

Parents have pleaded to the Western Province Education Department to appoint 2 Tamil teachers as soon as possible.

National teachers serving over ten years transfered

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Corr.

The Ministry of Education has decided to transfer out teachers of national schools who have served over ten years in the same school.

Their transfers would be effective from August this year.

Teachers who teach at G.C.E. (A/L) classes and are above 57 years too would also transferred out in keeping with the Education Ministry decision.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Education Anura Dissanayake has already issued instructions to the unit of national schools of his ministry to make arrangements. Transfers have been fixed for August this year as some teachers deserving transfers are preparing student for the forthcoming G.C.E. (A/L) Examination 2014, said the Senior Director of Education, Kurunegala W.M. Balasooriya.