Quick Look

Grade One admissions

Appeals in respect of children who have not received schools for admission to Grade One classes this year should be forwarded to the respective Zonal Education Offices (ZEO), said the Education Ministry in a press release issued yesterday.

The national schools branch has completed admissions to Grade One classes in national schools after considering appeals by parents. Waiting lists will be recalled if any vacancies occurred in Grade One classes of national schools in the future, the release added.

Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Chairman Than Shwe

Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe issuing a congratulatory message on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s massive election victory to lead the country for the second term says:

“It gives me great pleasure to convey to Your Excellency my warmest congratulations on your re-election as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

“I firmly believe that under your wise and able leadership, the people of Sri Lanka will continue to enjoy further progress, peace and prosperity in the years to come.

“May I also take this opportunity to add my personal best wishes for Your Excellency’s good health and happiness”.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari issuing a congratulatory message on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s historic election victory on January 26 presidential election says:

“It is with great pleasure that I convey my warmest congratulations on your re-election as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. I am confident that under your able leadership the traditional close relations between our two countries would be further enhanced. I also take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for your Excellency’s good health and continued progress and prosperity of the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka”.

King of Morocco Mohammad vi

Morocco congratulated President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his victory at the January 26 election.

King of Morocco Mohammad vi in a release says: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you most warmly on your re-election as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to send you my best wishes for good health, happiness and success in your high office. I also wish your people further progress, security and stability under your wise leadership.

“I commend the democratic choice freely made by the people of Sri Lanka who have placed their trust in you to pursue your successful action in the economic and social sectors, and to enhance Sri Lanka’s standing at regional and international levels.

“I keeniy look forward to continuing to work with Your Excellency to further consolidate the ties of friendship and cooperation enjoyed by our countries, and to fulfil our shared ambitions for the mutual benefit of our peoples”.

Houses built under ‘Diriya Piyasa’

Hiriyala group corr.

Two hundred and seventy seven houses have been constructed in 30 DS divisions in the Kurunegala district during the year 2009 by the Office of the Kurunegala district Assistant Samurdhi Commissioner under the “Diriya Piyasa” Housing Development Program.

Rs 60,000 has been granted for each house.

Road to be developed

Matale district group corr

The road leading to Dambulla primary school will be concreted. A sum of Rs. 10 lakhs has been allocated for this.

Nayaka Thera leaves for Indonesia

Viharadipathy of the Nava Polonnaru Gal Viharaya Dehiwala and President of the International Vihara Foundation, Most Venerable Dr. Kanumuldeniye Sri Dharmasoka Nayaka Thera, left for Jakarta, Indonesia last Friday. He went there at the invitation of the Most.

Venerable Prajnavira Mahasthavira, the chief abbot of the Maha Karuna Buddhist Centre, to participate in the opening ceremony of the Pratima Sakyamuni Buddha and other Buddha’s at the MKBC in Medan. On his return journey he is also due to make a cultural tour of Malaysia.

New building

A two-storeyed building constructed for Vidhata Centre in Dompe will be opened by Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana today.

The Ministry spent Rs. 2.8 million for the construction. Road Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna will be the Guest of Honour.

Buddhist talk

Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera will deliver a Public Buddhist talk in English on “Buddhism Science and Development” at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday, February 6 at 4.30 p.m. at Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Applications for courses

The Cultural Centre, Bentota which comes under the Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry has called for applications to recruit trainees to follow courses this year. Application forms could be obtained from the Cultural Officer, Bentota Cultural Centre, Aturuwella, Induruwa.

Two dead in motorcycle-bus collision

Rafik Jalaldeen

A motorcyclist and a pillion rider were killed on the spot in a motorcycle-bus head on collision in Warakapola yesterday afternoon.

Police spokesman SSP I.M. Karunaratna said a private bus plying from Kurunegala to Colombo collided with a motorcycle coming from the opposite side. “The incident had taken place along the Colombo- Kurunegala Road at Wariyagoda junction at around 3.05 p.m,” he added.

The motorcyclist was killed on the spot and the pillion rider died after admission to the Alawwa Hospital.

The deceased were identified as A.N. Sujith Kumara (36) and R.P.N. Nuwan Chathuranga (19).

The driver of the bus was arrested and produced before the Alawwa Magistrate.

Graduateship program in Chemistry

The Graduateship program in Chemistry conducted by the College of Chemical Sciences of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon will be inaugurated on February 6 by Sarojini Ramakrishna at Adamantane House, 341/22, Kotte Road, Welikada, Rajagiriya. Any student with three GCE (Advanced Level) passes who wishes to join can make a late application immediately at the above address (phone 2861231/2861653) and thereafter register so that he can pass out as a fully fledged Graduate Chemist by the year 2013.

The Institute of Chemistry is also organising next saturday an Open Day with a Pola and Chemistry magic shows to mark the occasion.

‘B’ negative blood needed

A patient at the Kandy Hospital is in urgent need of ‘B Negative’ blood. Those wishing to donate this group of blood, please contact R.A. Jagath Palitha on 077 6025957 or 071 3595760.