News in brief

Madhu church a No War Zone

Security Forces and the LTTE have agreed that the Madhu church and the surrounding area will be a No War Zone during the festival period starting on July 23. Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph told the BBC that the Tamil Tigers had agreed to refrain from fighting in the vicinity of the church to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

New digital IDs from Sept. 2008

Plans are under way to introduce new digital identity cards from September next year. The Department of Registration of Persons will call for tenders to produce the new computerised identity. It will be made in accordance with international standards and will include details in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

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Terrorist torture camp

A terrorist camp where LTTE conscripts and abductees suffered immense torture after they were confined to cells was the latest detection by the troops of the Army now advancing further into the centre of Thoppigala jungles across Narakamulla and Taravikulam. A few metres away from the camp was a brand new luxury Nissan Sunny car, said to have been used by one of the LTTE top rankers and now abandoned before the Tigers fled as the troops marched on.

Student donates over 2,000 books

A high school student from the United States donated more than 2,000 children's books to schools in Sri Lanka's tsunami-affected areas through her program 'Keep Reading.' Seventeen-year-old Sarasi Jayaratne, a junior in Potomac Falls High School and a student of the Academy of Science in Virginia and a Senior Girl Scout Cadet in Washington donated more than 2,000 children's books to schools.

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Rupee slightly firmer

Sri Lanka's rupee ended slightly firmer for the second day on Friday as exporters sold dollars in thin trade after recent gains while shares ended firmer, dealers said. The rupee ended at 111.35/111.40 per dollar, firming from Thursday's close of 111.37/111.42. The rupee hit an all-time closing a low of 111.46/111.52 on Wednesday.

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Aloy. N. Ratnayake, Ambassador to Manila

Aloy. N. Ratnayake, President's Counsel and former Chairman and Managing Director of "Lake House" is to be posted as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the Philippines.

He served with distinction, as a Crown Counsel in the Attorney General's Dept and later reverted to the unofficial Bar, where he blossomed out to be a leading criminal lawyer and President's Counsel. Ratnayake served as a member of the Municipal Council, Kurunegala and later for many years as a member of the University Council of Peradeniya. He was also director and acting chairman of the now defunct Plywood Corporation. His last stint in serving the public was as Chairman of "Lake House" for three and a half years under the President Chandrika Kumaratunga regime.

64th anniversary of Communist Party

The 64th anniversary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka will be held on July 3 at 4.00 pm at Sugeeswara Hall, Dr. N. M. Perera Mawatha, Colombo 8.

The main celebration will coincide with the 12th National Congress of the Communist Youth Federation of Sri Lanka which will be held on July 8 at the Uyanwatte Esplanade, Matara. Foreign delegates, leaders of the People's Alliance and Socialist Alliance are expected to address the delegates at the Congress.

Fuel, gas prices up

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation said the retail selling prices of petroleum products have been increased from June 29 midnight and the revised Colombo Spot Retail Selling Prices are as follows: Lanka Petrol 90 Octane - Rs. 111, Lanka Petrol 95 Octane - Rs. 114, Lanka Auto Diesel - Rs. 71, Lanka Super Diesel - Rs. 76.30, Lanka Kerosene - Rs. 67, Lanka Furnace Oil 1500 Sec. - 47.70, Lanka Furnace Oil 3500 Sec. - Rs. 42.65. The price of a 13 Kg cylinder of LP Shell Gas will also increased to Rs. 1,085 the consumer Affairs Authority said.

Equipment donated to Army

Minister of Nation Building and infrastructure, Rohitha Abeygunawardana donated two loader machines worth Rs. 12 million to the Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Lawrence Fernando at the Engineering Regimental Headquarters in Maththegoda Polgasowita on Friday.

The Ministry under the 'Jathika Saviya Programme' has donated four road rollers and five backhoe machines worth over Rs. 51 million to the Sri Lanka Army. These will be used in projects launched to fast track the maintenance and construction of roads and tanks in the country. Under the Ministry's 'Jathika Saviya Programme' equipment worth around Rs. 67.7 million have so far been donated to the Sri Lanka Army's Engineers Regiment.