Quick Look

Economic centre at Narahenpita

A dedicated Economic Centre setup at the Narahenptia, Kirimandala Mawatha Food Department stores complex to provide essential food items at reasonable prices to the consumers in the city will be opened today.

This centre consisting over 100 stalls will provide essential food items including quality cereals, fish, meat and farm fresh fruits and vegetables to consumers at reasonable wholesale and retail prices, said S. Edirisuriya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Trade Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services.

This fully equipped economic centre will provide all conveniences and facilities to consumers including a vehicle park, banking and canteen facilities, he said.

Islamic lectures on Poya days

Scholar Hafil Al Alim M. Arkam Nooramith M.A., (Darul Uloom Al Arabiya Al Islamiya, Cape Town, South Africa) will deliver a talk on "Jinns Creation and Purpose" tomorrow at 10.30 a.m., at the Nimal Road Jummah Masjid in Bambalapitiya along the Marine Drive.

These lectures will continue every Poya day in English by Islamic scholars.

Annual Rifai feast

The Rifai Thareeq Association of Kapuwatte, Denipitiya, Weligama will celebrate its 121st annual Rifai Feast and Manaqib Thamaam Majlis in memory of Saint Sulthanul Arifeen Seyedna Ahamadul Kabeerur Rifayeee (Kaddasallahu Sirrahul Azeez) Rafai Mowlood, Rafai Ratheeb, Bayaan and Zikr Majlis will be held on December 14 at 10.30 a.m. at the Mohideen Jumma Mosque, Kapuwatta, Weligama. The flag hoisting ceremony and Kathamul Quran in memory of His Holiness Rafai Moulana Al Haj. P.P. Nallakoya Thangal and Al Haj. P.P. Yoosuf Koya Thangal was held November 29.

Jumma sermon

The Jumma sermon at the Maligawatte Jumma Mosque, Colombo 10 today will be conducted by Deshabandu Al Haj. Nyas Moulavi, Presidents Islamic Religious Affairs Coordinator and Managing Director of the Ihsaniyyah Arabic College.

Hymns and healing service

Deshaye Samaye Handa, a special Christian Hymns and healing service conducted by Rev. pastor G.A.D. Srilal of the Christian Door of Relief Prayer Centre, Mattakkuliya, Colombo 15 will be held on December 14 at 5.00 p.m. at Kuliyapitiya Town Hall.

A procession organised by the residents of Kuliyapitiya town will also be held.

Exhibition

An exhibition and sale of products of enterprises organised by the ILO CB - Tree project will be held on December 13 and 14 from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. at the Ampara Hegoda Indrasara Vidyalaya grounds. The chief guest will be Nihal Somaweera, Secretary, Ministry of Rural industries and Self Employment Promotion. The Guests of Honour will Sunil Kannangara, Government Agent District Secretary, Ampara and Tine Staermose Country Director, ILO.

Meeting

A meeting will be held today discuss at Heiyanthuduwa Vihara to usher peace and prosperity to country and discuss welfare of armed personnel and the Police and their families.

The meeting is organised by the Sri Lanka Kunfu, Wushu Kickboxing Organisation's Chief Consultant Master Upasantha Hettiarachchi under the patronage of Ven. Welimitiyawe Seelaratane Thera.

Blood donation

A blood donation campaign for soldiers will be held tomorrow from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. at Trendy Wear Private Limited premises, Udupila, Delgoda.

Annual concert

The annual concert of Matale International School will be held on December 13 at 5.00 p.m. at the Matale Town Hall.
 

Jaffna Bishop's bold statement commended

RAFIK JALALDEEN, DHARME SRI ABEYRATNE and SHIRLEY WIJESINGHE

Referring to the statement made by Catholic Bishop of Jaffna Rev. Thomas Savundranayagam urging Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians who are visiting New Delhi, to pressurise Indian rulers to bring pressure on the LTTE to release civilians, President's Coordinator for Muslim Cultural Affairs and Director of Ihsania Arabic College Moulavi Niyas Mohamed said it was a bold statement made by Bishop Savundranayagam on humanitarian grounds.

Moulavi Niyas said innocent civilians should be protected during the war on humanitarian ground.

Rev. Savundranayagam in a statement to the media recently said Tamil civilians caught up in the war are not allowed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE) to leave the war zone.

"Civilians in warfare should be protected, that's what all religions are calling for on humanitarian basis. Bishop Savundranayagam had learned the ground situation more than us," the Maulavi added.

Secretary (International Affairs) of National Sangha Council (NSC) Ven. Missaka Kamalasiri Thera expressed his happiness over the recent statement by Rev. Savundranayagam about Tamil civilians entrapped in Wanni.

"It is a big voice as a representative of Tamils as well as a religious leader," Ven. Missaka Kamalasiri Thera said. "We observe this as a good trend", the Thera added. Artiste and actor Thilak Kumara Ratnayaka said it was nice to observe the Jaffna Bishop making such a comment. "I have no doubt that the Government's military action which is on the right path , is gaining significant victories. Military operations have focused on gaining freedom to all communities while eradicating terrorism," Ratnayake said.

Rev. Savundranayagam is quoted having told the media that the people are anxious to flee the war zone for their own survival. He has said: "But they are unable to do so for two reasons. One is that the LTTE is not allowing them to go. The second is the fear that the Government and the Security Forces may suspect them of being LTTE cadres or LTTE sympathisers, and detain or imprison them."

The Roman Catholic Bishop has also charged the LTTE of forced labour of civilians in their military constructions. He said the massive earth bund the LTTE constructed for their defence is a result of forced labour. The Bishop said, "The church and I are very concerned about the sufferings of the people. The people have no shelter and no security what so ever.

The current torrential rains have made life unbearable. Many of the displaced persons had moved several times in the past few months."

The Tamil Bishop also reportedly told Parliamentarians of the proxy party of the LTTE, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) who are in India to meet New Delhi Government officials to pressurise Indian rulers to bring pressure on the Tigers to release the civilians.

Fresh O/L for 'child soldiers'

Three hundred students who have applied to sit for the GCE (O/L) examination from the Vanni have not turned up at the examination centres. On investigation, it was found that they had been forcibly taken away to the battle front by the LTTE, Commissioner General of Examinations, Anura Edirisinghe said.

Since they are applicants whose absence at the examination was involuntary, the Commissioner General said he would hold a fresh examination for them, if either they surrender to the Security Forces or get liberated by them.

"Of course they would have to be liberated first," he added.