Quick Look

UNP Working Committee Member and former Colombo Deputy Mayor Azath Sally met President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently and pledged his full support to the President in the forthcoming Presidential Election. Azath Sally’s brother Rizvy Sally and several other Colombo district UNP veterans also participated at this meeting.

‘Henry Pedris occupies prominent place among national heroes’

‘The country’s present is built on the sacrifices made by past national heroes. The late Henry Pedris occupies a prominent place among such heroes’, said Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera at a ceremony to commemorate Henry Pedris held near his statue at Thimbirigasyaya on January 19.

Ven. Gunawansa Thera said Henry Pedris sacrificed his life for the motherland without betraying it to the Briitish Colonial rules. Our war heroes who are of the same calibre liberated the country from ruthless terrorists. They defeated all imperialist conspiracies to divide the country. As dependents of our past national heroes it was the duty of us all to join hands with President Mahinda Rajapaksa who offered leadership to end the 30-year war. Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena also spoke.

Courtesy call on Mannar Bishop

Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister DEW Gunasekera paid a courtesy call on Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph during his recent visit to Mannar and Vavuniya. The Minister inquired about the problems the people face. The Bishop gave a detailed account of issues. Minister Gunasekera assured the Bishop that he would inform President Mahinda Rajapaksa for action. (MPM)

Special train service from Jan 29 to 31

Sri Lanka Railway will operate special inter-city trains between Colombo Fort and Nanu Oya on January 29, 30 and 31.

The trains that will start from Fort at 8.35 a.m. will stop at Peradeniya, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Hatton, Talawakele and Nanu Oya (reaching at 2.10 p.m.).

The train from Nanu Oya will start at 3.15 p.m. and will stop at the same stations and reach Colombo Fort at 9.00 p.m.

Thurstan War Heroes Day

A ceremony to honour Thurstan College, Colombo fallen war heroes will be held tomorrow at 9.00 a.m.

The college war heroes commemoration ceremony will be an annual event of the College attended by next-of-kin and relatives of fallen heroes, Service Commanders, serving Armed Forces and Police Officers of the college.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the guest of honour. Defence Secretary, Service Commanders and Inspector General of Police will participate as Guests of Honour.

Opening of Community Hall

Youth Empowerment and Socio-economic Development Minister Arumugan Thondaman wil open a new Community Hall and Shrine Room constructed for the benefit of the residents of Dehiwala Vanarathana Road Low Income Housing Scheme today.

The building was constructed by the Ministry at a cost of 1.5 million rupees on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s instructions. There are 300 houses in the scheme.

In addition to the shrine room, it consists facilities for conference hall, reading room, library and computer and vocational training centres.

Bandaranayake Vidyalaya anniversary

The anniversary of Bandaranayake Vidyalaya, Kegalle will be held on February 4 at the Bandaranayake Central College main hall. Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne and singer Edward Jayakody will be the chief guests.

Appeal

Visharada Deshapriya Mihiripenna, son of award winning dancer Dr. Basil Mihiripenna has admitted himself to the Ragama hospital for treatment for a complication suffered from an injection.

The Mihiripenna Kala Academy said it has launched a fund to assist Visharada Deshapriya and requested artistes and the public to assist his cause.

All contributions should be remitted to account number 3130140 at the Bank of Ceylon Piliyandala branch.

Further particulars could be obtained on telephone 2615258.

Assist to trace boy

Thivanka Madushan (15), son of Aththanayake Mudiyanselage Jayathilake of Pidenipitiya, Kuruwithanna, Mahiyangane is missing from home since November 16, 2009.

This fair complexioned young boy is 4'2" tall with black hair parted both ways at the centre. He was last seen wearing a yellow coloured T shirt and a blue trouser.

He also had a blue coloured school bag on his shoulder.

Any information leading to his whereabouts may be passed onto tele-No. 011-2444444 of Children's and Women's Bureau, Colombo.

Hultsdorph lawyers marched to Colombo Fort distributing pamphlets to the public in support of President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. Picture by Sudath Nishantha

More than 200 UNP and JVP members in the Sinhapura Village in Welikanda renounced their party membership and obtained SLFP membership to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming election after meeting Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena at Sinhapura recently.