Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa visited the NLDB farm in Welisara. Livestock Development Minister Arumugam Thondaman and Provincial Minister Nimal Lanza were also present.
Picture by Chaminda Hittatiya

Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala thera tying a pirith noola to bless Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Picture by Gamini Ramanayake

Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Vladimir P Mikhaylov called on Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne at the Premiers Office during the weekend. Here the duo are seen engaged in a friendly conversation.

Army Commander Lt. Gen Jagath Jayasuriya observing pansil at the ceremony

Deputy Finance and Planning Minister and Senior Advisor to the President Dr. Sarath Amunugama met Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Kunio Takahashi recently to discuss details of Japanese development aid to Sri Lanka. They also discussed funding of several bilateral projects such as the Kotmale, Ukuwela and Kandy Water Supply projects.

Light oil lamp to remember war heroes

Ranaviru Seva Authority requested all Sri Lankans to light an oil lamp on Ranaviru Day (tomorrow) at 7.00 p.m. to remember war heroes who sacrificed their lives to free the country from LTTE terrorism.

Ranaviru Seva Authority Director Sriya Danansuriya said special religious observances will be held on Ranaviru Day.

Lightning kills two, injures three

Two persons were killed and three injured when lightning struck them Saturday evening at Habaraluwewa, Sevanagala.

The five people were seated near a paddy-field when lightning struck killing Gamage Chandratilaka (45) and Udagalpoththage Jayanatha (48) while W.A.N. Nihal Kumara (42), H.K. Premadasa (57) and D. Dissanayaka (40) were injured. They were admitted to the Sevanagala Hospital. The condition of the three injured persons was not serious, OIC Sevanagala police Inspector R.P.Siriwardhana said.

No water in fire engine to fight factory fire

A fire at a factory in Panadura could not be doused when workers realized the fire engine from the Colombo fire brigade did not have sufficient water.

A bowzer carrying water was later brought to put out the fire at the towel manufacturing factory in Panadura Saturday morning.

The cause of the fire is being investigated. The fire had caused heavy losses to the factory.

Police, Fire Brigade douse fire

A sudden fire broke out at about 9.40 pm on May 15 in the first floor of the Sisira Book Shop building at Maharagama. The Maharagama police were able to put out the fire with the assistance of the Fire Brigade Unit - Kotte and the workers of the Electricity Board. No deaths or casualties were reported. The cause of the fire and the damages caused have not been evaluated. Maharagama police are investigating.

Lecture by Prof. Sumanapala Galmangoda

Professor G.D. Sumanpala will deliver a guest lecture on "Buddhism for the 21st Century" organized by the National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS) Tuesday May 18 at 3.00 P.M. at the NCAS premises at 6A, Sukhastan Gardens, Ward Place, Colombo 7.

Prof. Sumanapala is a Prolific lecturer and a writer on Buddhism, Buddhist Philosophy , Meditation, Sinhala Poetry and Ayurveda. He is Senior Professor at the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya and the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies.

Foundation laying

In commemoration of the first year of war victory, Maliyadeva College Old Boys' Association together with the school authorities will lay the foundation stones for the proposed 'Ranaviru Monument' at College premises on May 18 at 10.00 am.

A distinguished old boy of Maliyadeva College, Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army Major General Daya Rathnayaka together with few other old boys who hold high positions of Security Forces will also present.

"The ceremony will be followed by a war heroes commemoration program", said Maliyadeva Old Boys Association President Gamini Swarnapala.

Islamic lecture by Dr. Zakir Naik

World Renowned Islamic Scholar Dr. Zakir Naik will be in Sri Lanka for a one day lecture tour. This program has been organized by the Association of Muslim Youth. The Lecture will be held at the Sugathdasa Stadium, Colombo, Sunday May 23 at 6.30 p.m. The topic will be "Peace through Religion".

A medical doctor by professional Dr. Zakir Naik is renowned as a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. Dr. Zakir Naik is the President of Islamic Research Foundation, Mumbai. Dr. Zakir clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam, using the Qur'an, authentic Hadith and other religious Scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts.

Private bus knocks down motor-cyclist

A motor-cyclist Rukman Sanjeewa Anton Dias of Uswatta, Katana, a father of a child, died on the spot when he was knocked down by a private bus at Mabola junction, Wattala, on the Colombo-Negombo road last Sunday evening.

Wattala Police has taken the bus driver into custody. OIC Wattala Police Traffic Branch I.P. Kulawardena and PC S.P. Wickremasuriya are investigating.

Seminar for parents

The International Organization Rissho Kosei-Kai of Japan on the invitation of the Isipathana College Old Boys’ Association will conduct a family education seminar for parents of Year 4, Year 5, Year 8 and Year 9 students on May 19. The seminar for the parents of Year 4 and Year 5 students will be from 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m while the seminar for parents of Year 8 and Year 9 students will be from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

Rains devastate Panadura

Heavy rain with thunder and lightning inundated all low lying areas in Panadura yesterday.

The Karapan canal, Talpitiya canal and Bindunu ela in Wadduwa overflowed and a large number of houses around the canals went under water. WP Health Minister Jagath Angerge visited the flooded areas in Wadduwa.

Several deaths reported

An unidentified body of a young male was found on the Angulana beach yesterday afternoon.

According to Police sources the body could be one of the two persons that had been swept into the sea from the Panadura area.

Meanwhile, a 42 year, father of two was found dead close to the Diyatalawa Army Camp yesterday morning and the body has been sent to the Badulla Hospital.

Police sources also reported that the body which was found floating in the Dangugan Oya, Seeduva recently was of a person who had been murdered.

Save a life

D. G. Sampath of Eedandukitha, Alapaladeniya, Morawaka is suffering from a chronic heart ailment. Doctors treating him have recommended a Heart Surgery.

As the Surgery costs a colossal sum of money, which can’t be borne by him, he requests donors contributions.

Please send your donations to account number A.N. 70295614 maintained in the name of D. G. Sampath at Bank of Ceylon, Morawaka Branch.