In brief
 

UPFA rally at Minuwangoda

Forty main UPFA election rallies under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be held in the main cities for the upcoming Presidential Election. All leaders of UPFA's constituent parties and other supporting political parties and organisations will address these rallies, said a spokesman for the UPFA.

The major election rallies will commence from January 3, he said. Meanwhile, an election rally will be held today at Minuwangoda and will be addressed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other UPFA leaders. (LSAW)

Panadura Sri Maha Perahara

Panadura Sri Maha Perahara organised under the patronage of Ven. Pothupitiye Pannasekera Thera, Viharadhipathi, Sri Maha Viharaya Galgoda, Panadura will be held at 7.00 p.m. today. A special feature, 'Ashta Maha Devala Perahara' with a large number of elephants will add flavour to the event.

The Perahara adorned with Kandyan, Low Country and Sabaragamuwa dancers parades the Panadura town.

The water-cutting ceremony will be held on the following day at Panadura river.

The Perahara is organised with the active participation of dayaka sabha and the philanthropists of the area.

Pavatkulam tank to be renovatated

by Vavuniya special corr.

The re-awakening project launched under the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry has taken the initiative to rehabilitate Pavatkulam tank in the Vavuniya district at a cost of Rs. 50 million with World Bank assistance.

Project Director P. H. Sugathadasa said this is a major irrigation scheme in the Vavuniya district with a capacity of 27,000 acre feet. It will provide irrigation facilities for over 4,134 acres of paddy land in the area.

The rehabilitation of this tank had been neglected for a long period due to the war situation in the area for the past three decades.Canals, sluice and the tank's dam have been damaged due to the non-implementation of rehabilitation work for a long period, sources said.The tank will be re-constructed under the ongoing rehabilitation process.Over 3,000 families in the Vavuniya district will benefit with the completion of this project.

Dr. T. B. Jayah remembered

The 120th birth anniversary of educationist, statesman and national hero, Al Haj Dr. T. B. Jayah, falls on January 1. The Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM) has made arrangements to mark this event with a public meeting on Sunday, January 3 at the Ghafoor Hall of Zahira College, Colombo, commencing at 9.30 a.m.

The chief guest at this function will be Malaysian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Datuk Rosli Ismail, Justice Saleem Marsoof, P.C., Judge of the Supreme Court will deliver the Dr. T. B. Jayah Oration.

The function will be held in conjunction with Hari Bahasa Melayu Hijri 1431 (Malay Language Day), a day dedicated to the preservation and development of the Malay language.

All are welcome.

Sri Sanghamitta Maha Perahera today

The annual Sri Sanghamitta Maha Perahera of Sri Gunawardanaramaya, Koralawella, Moratuwa, organised by Ven. Shastravedi Aranayaka Ariyarathana Nayaka Thera with the active participation of the residents in the area will be held for 13th consecutive year today, Dece. 27 at 7.00 p.m.

Lands and Lands Development Minister, Jeewan Kumaratunga will be the chief guest at the event.Moratuwa Mayor, Samanlal Fernando together with Municipal ward members will participate at the occasion.

The Perahera will begin to parade the streets at 7.00 p.m.