by Husna Inayathullah

New space rocket showcased

A new tourist space rocket was showcased in California, USA. The rocket, called 'Unity', is the latest version of the Virgin Galactic Spaceship. The rocket can carry six passengers, and is designed to travel nearly 100 kilometres in space. Seven-hundred people have already signed up for a trip, although it has not been announced when the first flight will take off.

Annual book exhibition 2016

The annual book exhibition conducted by the National Library and Document Services Board and the Ministry of Education was held at the Kulliyapitiya Public Library premises recently. The aim of the program is to promote the reading habit among children and adults. Good quality books at reasonable prices were available at the exhibition.

In line with the program, books worth Rs. 1,230,000 were distributed among the school libraries in Kuliyapitiya and Giriulla Education Zones in the Kurunegala district under the patronage of Minister of Education, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The principals, librarians and the students participated.

World's tallest horse

Big Jake is the tallest horse in the world. The 11-year-old Belgian gelding has taken the ?title of the world's tallest horse in the Guinness Book of World Records. Jake stands at 20 hands 2 and 3/4 inches or 210.2 centimetres. He weighs 2,600 pounds (1200 kg)!!

With Big Jake, everything needs to be Big!! His stall is 20X20 feet compared to an average stall of 12X12 feet. When he is transported his owners need to use a semi trailer. Big Jake is on a strict health diet, consuming 1 1/2 bales of hay and 40 quarts of oats per day.

Junior Prefects' Induction Ceremony 2016

The Junior Prefects' Induction Ceremony of the Middle School Section of Royal College was held at the Navarangahala recently under the patronage of Deputy Minister of State Enterprise Development, Eran Wickramaratne. Students, teachers, and the parents of 115 newly-appointed Junior Prefects participated.

The principal B.A. Abeyrathne told the newly-appointed Junior Prefects that discipline and correct leadership are key aspects of an exemplary student leader. Minister Wickramaratne, the chief guest recounted many anecdotes, some humorous, about his tenure as head prefect and life as a student at Royal. The certificates for the previous batch of Junior Prefects, were also distributed by him.

The badges were pinned on the newly-appointed Junior Prefects by its principal, Mr. B. A. Abeyrathne. Thereafter the oath was taken by the incumbent Head Prefect, Senith Abeyanayake.