In brief

Dr. Jayantha Liyanage to Jakarta embassy

Former Colombo Municipal Commissioner, Dr. Jayantha Liyanage has been appointed as the Minister to the Sri Lanka Embassy In Jakarta, Indonesia.

Dr. Liyanage joined the CMC in 1992. He was the former Deputy Chief Medical officer of Health, in the CMC in 2000 and graduated from Minsk State University of Byelorussia, Russia in 1990 and obtained his MSc in Community Health and Health Administration in Public Health from the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 1999.

Liyanage who is an old boy of De Mazenod College, Kandana is a Life Member of the College of Community Physicians Sri Lanka and the Medico Legal Association of Sri Lanka.

Dr. Liyanage is the first ever commissioner since its inception to be appointed to a diplomatic posting.

Fashion Designer of the Year 2009

Once again for the benefit of aspiring fashion designers well-known fashion designer Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne will present the Fashion Designer of the Year 2009 in collaboration with the Sunday Observer. The organisers have welcomed the decision of Mannapperuma Traders for readily accepting to sponsor the Sports Wear Category, and are looking forward to other sponsors to co-operate with them in sponsoring the Office Wear, Evening Wear and Saree Wear categories.

The event has always been a prestigious happening in the fashion industry.

 Drop in import of motor vehicles

The registration of new motor vehicles for the first half of 2009 had decreased by 45,571 compared to the same period in 2008. Only 91,021 new vehicles were registered for the past six months according to the statistics of the Register of Motor Vehicles.

One of the reasons for the reduction in import of vehicles was the restrictions imposed by the Central Bank on issuing letters of credit.

The total number of new vehicles registered by 2008 were 265,199 with 1,555,952 motor cycles, 44,804 three-wheelers and 20,237 motorcars.

The total number of new vehicles registered by June 2009 was 91,021 with 59,927 motorcycles, 16,419 three-wheelers and 3,882 motorcars.

Meanwhile, there was an increase in the registration of motor cycles above other vehicles but a reduction in the registration of cars. On an average about 15,000 vehicles were registered per mont the Register of Motor Vehicles Department statistics revealed.

Communist party meeting, exhibition

A photographic exhibition depicting the history of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka will be held during its 66th anniversary celebration on July 19 at 9 p.m. at the Old Market Ground, Nupe, Matara, Deputy Organiser of the Party, L. R. Stephen said.

Constitutional Affairs Minister and General Secretary of the Party DEW Gunasekera, Home Affairs Minister and Party, District Secretary Chandrasiri Gajadheera and the leader of the Democratic Left Front, Vasudeva Nanayakara will address the meeting.

Arthur C. Clarke Institute marks moon landing

To commem orate the completion of 40 years of the moon landing the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies in Katubedda, Moratuwa is organising a commemorative ceremony on July 20 from 3.00 to 5.00 p.m.

The event begins with the exposition of moon soil samples taken from the moon by Apollo missions, a short lecture on development of rocket science and interplanetary missions by Dr. Chandana Jayaratne, briefings on past memories of 1969 moon lading mission by Edvin Ariyadasa, who made the commentaries in Sinhala and Anura C. Perera who wrote books on the same.

The event ends with a video show on the Golden Anniversary of NASA and a question-answer session with the participation of Andrew Weinsberg, a representative from the US embassy in Sri Lanka.

New projects at Sigiriya

by Nimal WIJESINGHE Anuradhapura Dist. corr

Japanese International Banking Cooperation (JIBC) funded two Sigiriya refurbishing projects, which are being implemented by the State Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau. (G.S.M.B) at Sigiriya worth Rs. 50 million.

The Chairman of the (GSMB) Dr. N. P. Wijayananda said that the Bureau has been entrusted with the restoration and rehabilitation of the stone wall around the rock fortress and the fixing of a lengthy platform being made out of stainless steel in the frescos pocket for the comfort and the safety of the visitors who come to view the world renowned Sigiriya frescos.

For years a portion (side) of the platform has been kept closed for visitors due to decaying thus depriving the visitors to Sigiriya of getting a full view of the whole range of frescos.

No polls incidents in North and Uva

No election related violence had been reported from the North and Uva Province, the officer in-charge - Police Election Secretariat said.

He said that the Inspector General of Police had given necessary instructions to the provincial police staff to act swiftly to curb any election related violence.

Senior DIG Northern Province Nimal Lewke said the police were on full alert and there was no chance whatsoever for anyone to engage in intimidation and unlawful activities against those engaged in legitimate electioneering.

It was because of vigilance of the police that no election related violence had been reported from the local government areas readying for elections in the North he said. (LSAW)

Bad weather due to monsoon

by Rohana JAYALAL

The rainy weather experienced in several areas in the country during the last few days is due to the prevailing southwest monsoon conditions and the current bad weather conditions with strong winds will continue for a few more days, according to Meteorologist, Ananda Perera. In the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Northwestern provinces, there will be thundershowers with strong winds likely to lash the western slopes of the central hills and also Western and Southern coastal areas. It might spread in to other parts of the country as well.

Serve public dedicatedly - DIG

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy South Group Corr.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Pujitha Jayasundera urge the public servants to be duty conscious and serve the public to the best of their ability, being honest and courteous to those who come to the police stations in time of distress.

He made these observations when he addressed the 1900 members of the Civil Defence Committee, Police Officers and Grama Niladharis of Sigiriya at a meeting held at Sigiriya Maha Vidyalaya in Sigiriya, recently.