In brief

‘Room to Read Sri Lanka’ donated 1,000 books to the library of the Defence Services College in Colombo. Here, ‘Room to Read Sri Lanka’, Country Director Glenfrey de Mel (left) hands over the donation to Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Defence Ministry premises. Military Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Defence, Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando, Director, Defence Services College, Maj. Gen. Siri Ranaweera and Administration Officer of the Defence Services College, Capt. P.K.C.S. Kankanamge were also present.

Jathika Govi Sathiya 2010 from Sep. 1 to 5 in Hambantota

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The Government will conduct the ‘Jathika Govi Sathiya - 2010’ from September 1 to 5 at the Bataatha Agriculture Technological Centre, Hambantota.

The main objective of the project is to introduce new agricultural technology and appreciate the services rendered to the country by the farmer community, said Agriculture Ministry Secretary K. E. Karunatileka.

He said an agricultural exhibition where both Government and private sector institutions participate would also be held. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the exhibition.

The objective of the exhibition is to motivate the country’s youth to take up agriculture to ensure a better tomorrow. The participation of youth in the sector is vital to reach self-sufficiency in agriculture produce, the Secretary said.

Ven. Dr. Agalakada Siri Sumana Thera's father passes away

Social worker Matara Gamage Centin (89) of Agalakada, Akuressa passed away after a brief illness.

He is the father of well-known author Ven. Dr. Agalakada Siri Sumana Thera, Head of the Sinhala Language Department of the University of Colombo.

The funeral took place at the family cemetery, Agalakada, Akuressa on Friday.

Heart patient needs help

H. P. Ajith Priyankara (38) of Dambuwawatta, Minuwangoda is suffering from an acute heart ailment. Consultant Cardiologist Anindu Pathirana has recommended a surgery (PTCA and Stenting) to save his life. The surgery is estimated to cost Rs. 400,000.

Priyankara is unable to foot this bill due to his present financial plight and hence requests the generous public to assist his cause by sending whatever financial constributions possible to help expedite the surgery.

All contribution may be remitted to A/c No. 02120012000681 of the People's Bank, Minuwangoda branch.

Former SLAF Chief of Staff dies

Former Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Anslam Peries passed away after a brief illness yesterday. He was 66.

Having joined the Air Force in 1968 he served in the Force for 31 years before retiring in 1988.

His funeral will take place at 5.00 p.m. on Monday at the General Cemetery Kanatte.

‘The Lankan Rhapsody’, a musical extravaganza organised by Dr. Gihan Samarasinghe, a Sri Lankan domiciled in Australia, was held recently at the Menzies Hall, Dandinoth North, Melbourne. The show was a fund-raiser to provide common amenities at the Helasirigama village in Gampola. The music was directed by veteran musician Daya de Silva with female vocalist Thilaka Rupasinghe and the ‘Daya and the Clan’ in attendance. Here Gihan and Thilaka present an item.