News in brief

Prof. Hoole appointed Jaffna University Vice Chancellor

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapakse appointed Prof. S. R. Hoole as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna for three years from March 12, a release from the President's Office said.

Jayantha Jayawardene on Wildlife

COLOMBO: Consultant ADB Wildlife Conservation Project Jayantha Jayawardene will begin a series of weekly articles on wildlife from next Monday.

He will touch on elephants in the first episode.

President to lay foundation for H'tota Administrative Complex

HAMBANTOTA: President Mahinda Rajapakse will lay the foundation stone for the construction of the Administrative Complex of Hambantota on March 11 at 11 a.m., a media release from the President's Office states. The proposed Administrative Complex is coming up at Siribopura, Hambantota.

Mohamed to world Muslim Congress Conference

COLOMBO: Colombo District Parliamentarian M.H. Mohamed will participate in the World Muslim Congress Conference in Islamabad to be held from today to March 10.

Mohamed is the Senior Vice President of the oldest Muslim body known as "Motamar - Al-Aalam Al Islami". He will present a special paper on the plight of Muslims in Sri Lanka.

Jaffna Bar Association in Colombo after 20 years

COLOMBO: The Jaffna Bar Association conducted a workshop on public interest law and litigation with the assistance of Asia Foundation at Renuka Hotel recently.

This was the first time in twenty years that the Bar Associations the peninsula visited Colombo as a group. Lawyers from Jaffna, Kayts, Point Pedro, Chavakachcheri and Mallakam Bar Associations participated in the workshop which was supported by the British High Commission. Chief Justices Sarath N. Silva was the guest of honour.

Justice H. S. Yapa, S. S. Wijayaratna, C. R. de Silva PCs, K. Kanag-Isvaran, Mohan Peries and R. K. W. Goonasekera were the resource persons.

Gold Medal for Political Science

COLOMBO: The University of Colombo held its General Convocation for conferment of degrees at the BMICH on March 7.

At this ceremony the Dr. Chanaka Amaratunga Foundation presented the Dr. Chanaka Amaratunga Memorial Gold Medal for Political Sciences to A.H.P.S. Rupasinghe, for obtaining highest marks in Political Science, a news release issued by the Foundation said.

This is the second medal awarded by the Foundation for successful students who have obtained the highest marks for political science. The previous year, the award was presented to Harinda R. Vidangae.

The Foundation has recognised the need to support new youth coming up in the field of political science. The Foundation has also organised measures to grant a Dr. Chanaka Amaratunga Memorial Scholarship to those who wish to pursue higher studies. The Dr. Chanaka Amaratunga Foundation was established on August 9,2000 to support all endeavours to sustain Liberal Democracy in Sri Lanka.

2,118 complaints from Govt Departments

COLOMBO: The Bribery Commissioners Department has received 2,118 complaints from Government Departments and statutory bodies during 2005, a Commission official revealed.

Of the 2,118 complaints, 599 had been received from Colombo since the Commission was defunct during the first part of 2005. Investigations were conducted only on 500 complaints, sources revealed.

PM to open New Police Post

KAHAWA: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake will commission the New Police Post at Tilakapura when he makes and official tour in Ambalangoda electorate today. IGP Chandra Fernando will accompany him.