A banner depicting Buddha’s first discourse to the Five Ascetics, to mark the 2600th year of the Enlightenment was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at “Temple Trees”, by well-known astronomer, Anura C Perera recently. Chancellor, Kelaniya University Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayake thera, Presidential Advisor on Buddhist Affairs Ven. Watinapaha, Somananda Thera and the Public Trustee, Deshamanya Sarath Seneviratne were also present.

The maiden Ratham festival of the Sri Maha Vishnu Temple, Kelaniya took place last Friday with the participation of Public Affairs and Public Relations Minister and MP for Kelaniya, Dr. Mervyn Silva. The deity of the Vishnu temple traces its origins to South India. Here Minister Silva is flanked by the chief priests of the temple, Somu Swamy and Gopal Swamy. Pic: Vipula Amarasinghe

Lake House honours long-standing employee: A long-standing employee of Lake House, G. M. H. Aponso, who retired after serving the company for 50 years was honoured at the Lake House Colour Awards ceremony, organised by the Lake House Sports Club at the Sri Lanka Air Force grounds, Colombo recently. Here Lake House Chairman, Bandula Padmakumara who was the chief guest hands over a special award to Aponso.

Lakmini Mahika de Silva was awarded the First Class BSc Business Administration Special Degree at the Convocation of the Sri Jayawardenepura University held at the BMICH recently. She also received two gold medals, Deshamanya Prof. Linus de Silva Memorial gold medal and Prof. R.A.A. Perera Memorial gold medal for scoring the highest marks at BSc examination and for her highest merit in the English Medium at the same examination. Here the Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. N.A.L.N. Karunaratne awards the certificate.  Lakmini Mahika is the daughter of the Late Ananda Mithra de Silva, Manager, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and journalist Lakshmi.

“Sejan 4” the first 45 foot multi day fishing vessel built under the IFAD project returned from its maiden voyage to her home port Kudawella. The vessel costs 15.6 million rupees of which 12 million is a loan repayable within 8 years granted under this scheme. The recipient has to make an initial payment of Rs. 3.6 million. The Ministry of Fisheries intends to build 100 boats under this project Pic: Priyan de Silva - Matara Sports Cor.

Sanctuaries for wild elephants

Director General, Wild Life Department Dr. Chandrawansa Pathiraja said, that the Moves are under way to set natural sanctuaries in the districts where the wild elephants threat is high.

He said that due to the conflict between the human and elephants nearly 50 people and 200 elephants die every year.

The Director General predicted that if this exercise continued the elephants in the country would be extinct in due course. Dr. Pathiraja noted that new move is to be taken as the previous measures to control the elephants from invading villages ended in failure.

Identifying the areas which are vulnerable to the trespass of wild elephants, natural sanctuaries will be established while setting up protective fences around the respective forest areas, he said.

-MN

BIA expansion to accommodate A380 aircraft

Bandaranaike International Airport, will commence the second phase of expansion project in 2012 to increase the capacity of airport facilities.

The $350 million expansion scheme will include widening of the existing runway and taxiways to accommodate large Airbus A380 aircraft. The scheme has been designed to double the airport’s passenger handling capacity to 12 million each year. Cargo handling capacity will also be enhanced to 500,000mt from the existing 250,000mt.

Other works involved in the expansion scheme are construction of a new passenger terminal building. This new building will separate passenger arrivals and departures.A new pier with eight boarding gates, 14 passenger boarding bridges with a dedicated gate comprising two passenger boarding bridges for A380 operations will also be added as part of the project, the World Interior Design Magazine said in a report.

Program to invoke blessings on prelate
 

The 92nd birthday of the most Ven. Aththudawe Sri Rahula Thera, chancellor of Ruhunu University and Mahanayake of Sri Rohana Chapter of Shyamopali Maha Nikaya, is celebrated with a number of religious programs conducted by various Buddhist organisations in the Southern Province from December 12 to 19 to invoke blessings on the Mahanayake Thera.

Help: Hearing impediment

E.B. Jeewaka Pasindu Bandara of Nathuwala Walasmulla, a grade 3 student of Nathuwala Junior School is suffering from hearing loss and the Medical Specialists of Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital have recommended the use of a hearing aid which costs over Rs. 400,000.

His parents who find it difficult to meet the cost appeal to the public for contributions to be remitted to A/c No.7453331 - Bank of Ceylon, Walasmulla.

O + kidney wanted

H.P. Gunatilleke (49) of 44, Waragoda, Attanagalle is afflicted with an acute renal failure.

Colombo National Hospital, The Consultant Nephrologist of the Dr. A.L.M. Nazar has recommended kidney transplantation for him. His blood group is 'O' positive and is need of the kidney of a person whose blood group is 'O'.

As the cost of drugs is estimated at over Rs. 200,000, he requests contributions from the public to be remitted to A/C No. 2782 00182 422773, People's Bank, Nittambuwa.