In Brief

Set up Gotabhaya Regiment in SL Army - BTS

The Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society whilst paying its tribute to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for eliminating scourge of terrorism and restoring peace and democracy in the country appeals to establish a separate regiment," Gotabhaya Regiment in the Sri Lanka Army in recognition of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's unstinted commitment and strategy to wipe out the LTTE terror from Sri Lanka for ever.

Excerpts of the letter; Your name has already being enshrined in the hall of fame along with those of such national leaders as Dutugamunu, Parakramabahu the Great, Gajaba, Asela etc. You had, however to face a more formidable task in annihilating the most ruthless terror organisation in the world which had its international tentacles as well.

In recognition of your beloved brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's unstinted commitment, strategy to ward off LTTE terrorism, we earnestly appeal to you to set up a new regiment, `Gotabhaya Regiment', in the Sri Lanka Army.

Gamini Dissanayake Institute awards ceremony 2009

The awards ceremony of the Gamini Dissanayake Institute of Technology and Vocational studies, Nuwara Eliya, is scheduled to be held at The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya on Friday, June 26, 2009 from 3 p.m. onwards.

Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Tourism will be the chief guest and Sanjeewa Wickremanayake, CEO/Managing Director, EW Information Systems (Pvt) Ltd will be the guest of honour.

This event is organised to confer Diplomas and certificates to the 7th Batch of Students who have successfully completed their courses of study during the Academic year 2008/2009.

Work on Kegalle alternative road to start tomorrow

The foundation stone for the three kilometre alternative road in Kegalle will be laid tomorrow under the patronage of Minister of Road Development T. B. Ekanayake, Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

The first stage of the project which is expected to be completed within a year is estimated to cost Rs. 135 million. The total project is estimated to cost Rs. 800 million.

Siyambalapitiya said commuters and pedestrians have been facing enormous difficulties for over thirty years due to traffic congestion in the Kegalle junction.

"The construction of the alternative road will help ease traffic congestion, reduce travelling time and promote trade and cultural activities", he said.

Venue change Kelaniya varsity exama

by Edward Weerasnghe Kelaniya Group Corr

The First Examination in Arts (External) 2008 (old syllabus) conducted by the Centre for Open and Distance Learning of the University of Kelaniya will be held at the KCP Hall, Kadawata, from June 22 to July 2. The Registrar of the University of Kelaniya W.M. Karunaratne said that due to the temporary closure of the University of Kelaniya arrangements have been made to conduct this External degree Examination at the KCP Hall, Kadawata. Admission forms indicating the examination dates have been already sent to eligible candidates to their personal addresses, the Registrar said.

Workshop on ‘milk toffee’

The one day technology transfer workshop on “Flavoured and dairy milk hard boiled toffee” manufacture organised by the Technical Services Division of the Industrial Development Board will be held on June 28th at 8.30 at Technical Service Division Industrial Development Board in Katubedda.

The workshop will be designed to give indepth theoretical and practical knowledge on selection quality raw materials, machinery selection and manufacture and process, selection of packaging materials, product specification and hygienic aspects.

According to the Technical Services Division of the Industrial Development Board those who are willing to participate at this special workshop should register in the Technical Services Division of the Industrial development Board on or before June 26th and contact Sithara or Uchini for further details over 0112605278.

(RJ)

Former Chairman of Consumer Affairs Authority, Solicitor and Attorney-at-Law Sarath Wijesinghe authored the book “Consumerism in Sri Lanka”, a collection of articles on consumer-related matters. Here the author hands over the maiden copy to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at “Temple Trees”.

Members of the Sri Lanka Ex-Army Women’s Association met the Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka to congratulate him on the great victory of eradicating terrorism from the country recently. Here Patron of the Association Captain Victoria Lakshmi presenting a cheque to the Army Commander, a collection from members towards rehabilitation projects. Founder President Major Ramani Kangaraarachi, Immediate Past President Ramani Jayawardena, Current President Sujatha Rajapaksa and Secretary Carmen Kumaranayake were present. The Association celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2010 and it has organised an `Adistana Pooja’ at Jayanthi Viharaya in Anuradhapura at 6 p.m. on June 27 to invoke blessings on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and all War Heroes of the country.

International Conference on Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction 2009 with the participation of 48 countries was held in Beijing organised by the All-China Women’s Federation, in collaboration with the ISDR, United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reduction recently. Sri Lankan team included Child Development and Women’s Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena, Governor Southern Province Kumari Balasuriya and Piyadasa Samarakkody, Private Secretary to the Child Development and Women’s Empowerment Minister. Here Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya being greeted by Huang Qingxi, the Vice Chairperson of the National Committee on Women and Children and Vice President and Member of the Secretariat of All-China Women’s Federation, upon her arrival at the conference hall. - Pic: D.C. De Silva, Kahawa Special Corr.

The Editorial Photography Department of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) felicitated two photo journalists of the Group who had covered the humanitarian operations of the Armed Forces till victory was achieved. Here, Tilak Perera and Rukmal Gamage with their awards, presented to them by the Director (Editorial) Nihal Ratnaike. ANCL General Manager, Abhaya Amaradasa, Chief Administrative Officer, Rohana Ariyaratne, Pictures Editor, Indrajith Perera and Associate Pictures Editor, Upali Fonseka were also present.

The Principal of Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, Ms. Sandya Neelamani Malawaarachchi hands over the donations of miscellaneous items to the Deputy Manager, Programme Delivery of the British Council, Mrs. Sanjeewani Munasinghe to be distributed among the IDPs. Teacher-in-Charge of Dreams & Teams Club, Mrs. Geethgaya Walpola and two students look on.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Nation Building, W.K.K. Kumarasiri handed over a range of 387,500 readymade garments to the Nation Building Minister S.M. Chandrasena recently to be distributed among the IDPs. The consignment worth Rs. 112.6 m was donated by 34 garment factories, which come under the Board of Investment.