In brief

Naval exhibition

‘Sayuru Rala’, a carnival and exhibition organised by the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy was inaugurated by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe on September 24, at the Ja-Ela Municipal grounds. Navy Seva Vanitha Unit President Malathie Samarasinghe and a large number of distinguished guests were present.

The Carnival and Exhibition will continue until September 28 from 4 pm onwards with a wide array of educational, recreational and entertainment events with veteran artistes backed by popular musical bands.

The Carnival has been organised in aid of the welfare of the families of heroic Naval personnel killed, wounded and missing in action and those serving in the defence of the nation. Further it aims to facilitate the interaction between the naval personnel and the general public whilst aiming to facilitate a large number of civilians to have entertainment and knowledge of high standard at an affordable rate. Shows by Navy’s Kennel Unit and Navy Band are the main high-lights of the mega event.

Popular musical bands Flashback, Red Arrows, Seeduwa Sarasi, Sunflowers and Purple Range will perform at the musical shows.

Church feast at Udugampala

by Samantha Suraweera, Gampaha South Grp. Cor.

The church of St. Francis' Assisi Udugampala will celebrate its 122nd annual feast on October 9 and 10. The festival will commence on October 1 at 3.30 p.m. with hoisting of flags, followed by daily evening novenas.On October 10 at 9.00 a.m. the Festive High mass will be conducted by the Rev. Father Emard Dalpadadu, OMI.

The procession carrying the statue of St. Francis of Assisi will parade the streets on October 9 at 6.30 p.m. following the evening mass conducted by parish priest of Kotugoda Mission Rev. Father. Jude Luxman.On Octoerb 10 at 3.30 p.m. mass will be conducted by parish priest of Burulapitiya Mission Rev. Father Subash Chaminda.

'Preserve Maligawa sanctity'

by H. A. W. Hewawasam - Kandy spl. and Asoka Kuruluwansa

Dalada Maligawa devotees who do not adhere the 'dress code' are a source of embarrassment to the police on duty.

The women constables on duty recently had to advise a school principal in the presence of her pupils to untie her hair and cover the dress she was wearing.The corridor in the upper chamber where devotees make offerings and others meditate has become a place for young couples.

Although there is a stall to keep the footwear of devotees and notices on the walls, people scatter their shoes all over the compound.

Police seek the cooperation of the public to preserve the sanctity of the maligawa.

Royal College Tamil Dramatic Society celebrates its 50th anniversary

by Thulasi MUTTULINGAM

The Royal College Tamil Dramatic Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary in conjunction with the school's 175th Anniversary this year.

The society was founded in 1960 by Past Royalists after the shift in the medium of instruction from English to the two native languages. It counts Rauf Hakeem amongst others, as one of its patrons.

In order to mark their Golden Jubilee, the society will be holding their annual Nadaha Vizha (Drama Festival) in grand scale this year, on October 3. Schools islandwide, students studying in the Tamil Medium have been invited to take part in the function.

The program, which will start at 3.30 pm, October 03, at the school's Navarangahala Hall includes four dramas and two dances as well as felicitation of the chief guest. Every year, the society invites and honours a Tamil artiste and the chief guest to be so honoured this year will be Master Sivalingam of Batticoaloa, a well known 'Vizhu Pattu' artiste.

The Society will also release their annual newsletter, 'Navarasam' and launch a new logo as well as their own website, www.rctamildrama.com at the event.

Budusarana short story competition

The Budusarana newspaper together with the Karunabharaya organization will hold a Buddhist short stories contest to mark the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi.

The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs. 40,000 while the second and third runners-up will be awarded Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000. The fourth to tenth winners will receive Rs. 5,000 each. The successful short stories will be published as a book.

Further information may be obtained for Budusarana.