Quick Look

Emergency passed

Irangika RANGE and Sandasen MARASINGHE

The motion to extend the State of Emergency by another one month was passed with a majority of 68 votes. 121 members voted in favor the motion while 53 voted against. UNP MP Abdul Cader voted with the government.

The UNP, TNA and the JVP voted against.

Foot and mouth disease under control

Indrani THORADENIYA

The foot and mouth disease which threatened dairy cattle in Kundasale and Teldeniya areas has been fully controlled and milk collection activities restarted in the region from yesterday, Provincial Department of Animal Production and Health Directress Jayanthi Amunugama said.

She said nearly 90 head of cattle afflicted with the disease have now fully recovered after the vaccination program started by the department. An awareness program among dairy farmers also helped in controlling the spread of the disease.

Rs. 3.5m to restore Sela Maha Ceya

Chaminda PERERA

The Government yesterday allocated Rs. 3.5 million for the restoration of the Mihintale Sela Maha Ceya which was severely damaged by a thunderbolt recently. According to a spokesman of the Disaster Management Centre, the expenses related to the urgent repairs of the Cetiya and installation of lightning conductor would be carried out by the Ministry before the Poson season. Government officials including the Anuradhapura District Secretary inspected the Cetiya after it was struck by lightning.

New textbooks to flood hit

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Education Publications Department will issue new textbooks to students whose textbooks were damaged by floods, Education Publications Department Commissioner W. M. N. J. Pushpakumara said.

A considerable number of textbooks was damaged and missing following the recent floods. The Education Publications Department will provide new textbooks in place of the damaged books, he said.

Students can collect the new textbooks from their Principals. In case textbooks are not available with the Principals, the students have to collect new textbooks by calling over either at the regional textbooks Distribution Centre or Education Publications Department at Isurupaya.

Justice Imam appointed to JSC

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Supreme Court Judge Justice S.I.Imam has been appointed as a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with effect from May 21, 2010.

Justice Imam assumed duties as a member of the Commission. The other members of the Commission are Chief Justice Asoka de Silva (Chairman), Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake.

Justice Imam commenced his judicial career in 1980 having been called to the Bar on February 21, 1974. Having practised at the Kandy Bar for six years, Justice Imam was the Gangodawila Magistrate and then served as Colombo Fort Magistrate, District Judge and as High Court Judge in various parts of the country. Justice Imam holds a Master's Degree (LL.M.) from the Colombo University.

Ranjith Bandara heads SLFI

Dr. Ranjith Bandara has been appointed Chairman and board member of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute for three years effective from May 31, by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Dr. Bandara is serving as a National Economic Council member and Senior Economics Adviser at the Strategic Enterprise Management Agency. He is also a senior lecturer at the Colombo University Economics Department.

Water cut in Colombo

There will be an interruption to water supply in the following areas from 9.00 p.m today to 9.00 a.m tomorrow due to urgent repairs.

Areas affected: Fort, Army Headquarters, Borella Junction, Mohideen Masjid Road, Mihindu Mawatha, Slave Island, Rosmead Place, Bawa Place, Cinnamon Garden, Ketawalamulla, Dematagoda Road and Maligakanda.

SLLA seminars

The Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA) is conducting a series of Regional Seminars, as a part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The inaugural seminar will be held in Kandy on June 10. The Central Province Library Services Board is co-sponsoring the seminar. The Governor and the Chief Minister of Central Province will be the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively at the inauguration. The second and third seminars will be held on July 29 in Jaffna and on August 28 in Colombo.

The Golden Jubilee International Conference is scheduled from October 6 to 8. Libraries: Access to Information and Empowering People is the theme of the seminar/conference.

Wageesha wins graduateship award

The Kandiah Memorial Graduateship Award for 2010 was won by N.D.A. Wageesha.

He graduated from the College of Chemical Sciences in 2007.

At present, he is a Research Assistant in the University of Sri Jayawardenepura Biochemistry Department.

Sri Lanka Thailand nite

The Sri Lanka - Thailand Nite 2010 organised by the Sri Lanka - Thailand Society will be held on June 19 commencing 7 p.m. at the Siam House - Thai Restaurant, Colombo 4.

As a special feature a cultural dance will be performed prior to the fellowship and dinner. Prizes and surprises will be many.

Ambassador of Thailand Thinakorn Kanasuta and Mrs. Dana Kanasuta will be the Chief Guests.

Workshop, awards ceremony

The Saviya Development Foundation has organized a community environment awareness workshop and awards ceremony on June 17 at 9.30 a.m. for winners of the drawing/poster competition to commemorate International Desertification Prevention Day.