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Crude oil slick pollutes coast off Colombo
port Over 72 tonnes of crude oil has leaked into the sea while being unloaded from an Iranian tanker at a mooring buoy, 5 miles off the Colombo port, causing a thick oil slick along the coast extending to Wellawatte. The oil had washed ashore and spread further south from the port to the coastal areas of Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Wellawatte. This major oil spill had been caused by the disintegration of the connecting hose of the flexible pipeline of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation carrying oil from the port to the CPC crude oil plant. Around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, an Iranian oil tanker "Theotakas" carrying 86,000 tonnes of crude oil was unloading at the mooring buoy opposite the harbour when the pipeline broke. The tanker immediately switched off the oil supply as they had seen oil bubbling out. This action prevented further oil from the tanker from spilling out but the oil that was in the 32 KM long pipeline taking oil from the port gushed out. The CPC has so far not responded to the notifications by the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority and the Harbour Master, the Chairman of the MPPA, Dhanapala Weerasekara said yesterday. The CPC was not represented at the inquiry held yesterday morning with the Harbour Master and they have not responded to anyone of the notices sent from the MPPA. Even the Master of the ship was present at the inquiry, Mr. Weerasekara said. He added that this catastrophy could have been prevented if the CPC had acted immediately. CPC has done absolutely nothing to prevent the oil from spreading to over 100 square kilometres. The CPC has chemicals to neutralise the oil and equipment to stop the oil from spreading. Now the oil has spread and we don't have equipment to clean up an oil slick of this nature, Mr. Weerasekara lamented. The incident cannot be related to bad weather as the weather was not sufficiently adverse to break a pipeline that would have been in suitable condition. We wanted the CPC to be present at the inquiry to ask them to adopt certain measures to prevent such a catastrophy. The people living in the coastal areas will be particularly affected with the oil being washed ashore and spread further. Legal action will be taken by the MPPA for violating the Marine Pollution Prevention Act. This will be brought to the notice of the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Fisheries and Tourism and they will be apprised of the extent of the damage and its consequences, Mr. Weerasekara said. When ‘The Island’ contacted CPC Chairman, Anil Obeysekera, he refused to comment saying he was at a meeting. Devananda still unconscious:
attack not spontaneous Both EPDP and Prison officials yesterday said Tuesday’s attack on party leader and Jaffna District MP Douglas Devananda was a pre-planned one." It was not a spontaneous attempt on Devananda’s life," the EPDP official said. Another Tamil politician said that there was evidence to suggest that a pro-LTTE’er had requested the MP to visit the terrorist suspects who were on a hunger strike at the Kalutara New Remand Prison exclusively used to hold both terrorist suspects and those serving terms. "Approximately 15 prisoners held at the ‘B section’ were involved in the attack," a senior prison official said yesterday. Asked whether any suspects have been arrested he replied in the negative. "We are trying to identify the persons involved," he said adding that Kalutara police has initiated an inquiry. He denied claims that prison officials did not try to control the prisoners. A weapon specially used in crowd control operations was fired. Three prisoners who received gun shot injuries have been admitted to the prison hospital. "As soon as the gun was fired prisoners started running back to their sections," a prison official said. Both police and prison officials admitted that there was no evidence to suggest that the wounded persons were involved in the attack. Terrorist suspects had grabbed the Chief Jailor. He was prevented from going to Devananda’s aid, sources said. Devananda had visited Kalutara after obtaining approval from Commissioner General K. W. E. Karaliyadde. Devananda was surrounded and attacked when he was about to give cups of water to fasting prisoners. They [prisoners] have agreed to end the fast after Devananda gave them water. Devananda, bleeding mainly as a result of serious head injuries was first rushed to Kalutara in an unconscious state and from there to National Hospital. "Doctors performed a three hour operation Tuesday night," the EPDP spokesman said adding that he remained unconscious upto yesterday afternoon. The attack came less than 48 hours after terrorists abducted and killed two EPDP cadres in the Chavakachcheri area. Attack on Devananda was the second serious incident at Kalutara New Remand prison in the past seven months. Sinhalese prisoners allegedly attacked terrorist suspects on December 12 last year killing three persons and wounding several others. Later all Sinhala prisoners were moved out. At the moment 598 terrorist suspects had been detained there. Although the government at a meeting attended by minister G. L. Peiris, Army Commander Lieutenant General Rohan De S. Daluwatte and IG Police W. B. Rajaguru on December 15 last year decided to transfer all Kalutara prisoners to Boossa detention camp. Upto now prisoners remain at Kalutara. The original plan was to transfer them before end of January. Senior prison officials admit security within certain prisons remain a serious problem. Recently the government permitted Prisons Department to train newly recruited guards in police training facilities in the art of handling T-56 assault rifles, sub machine guns among other weapons. Several hundred personnel had been already trained. Troops have been deployed outside Kalutara prison to ensure that LTTE does not make an attempt to stage a jail break. However troops do not play any role within the prison, undoubtedly the "largest home" for the number of terrorists and terrorist suspects. Devananda himself a prisoner at Batticaloa prison managed to escape along with over 100 terrorist suspects in 1980s. It was Sri Lanka’s biggest jail break. No change in Devananda's condition The condition of Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) leader and Jaffna district MP Douglas Devanda remained critical at the time of going to press last night. Director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Terrence de Silva told 'The Island' that the MP had undergone surgery for the injuries he Sustained on Tuesday at Kalutara remand prison when a group of inmates attacked while he was visiting the LTTE cadres who had launched a hunger strike at the prison. "He was operated on the head for his skull fractures. His head injuries were serious than the stab injuries," he said. Neuro surgeon Dr. Sunil Perera has been attending on EPDP leader, he said. Dr. de Silva further said that they will be able to predict the exact condition of MP Douglas Devananda only today. According to Dr. de Silva the MP is now in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit and under special police security. The hospital authorities have not allowed any of the armed cadres of the EPDP to provide security for their leader. Meanwhile, President Chandrika Kumaratunga had interdicted the prison guards who were on duty at the time of the incident at Kalutara jail - (SB) Attack on Devananda planned "Several LTTE suspects surrounded Douglas Devananda and began assaulting him. Then a prison officer standing nearby shouted an MP is being assaulted" and called for help from other prison officers. Within five or six minutes a prison guard armed with a gun rushed to the scene and shot into the air" a Prison Officer said describing Tuesday evening’s attack on the EPDP leader, while he was visiting the LTTE suspects held in Kalutara prison. The Prison Officer said that as far as he could remember it was around 6.23 p.m. when the incident took place. Mr. Douglas Devananda accompanied by a lawyer and an official of the Attorney General’s Department had visited Kalutara prison to find out the position regarding the LTTE suspects who were on a fast unto death campaign. Mr. Devananda walked into the prison leaving his security officers outside the premises. By that time the LTTE suspects had decided to give up their fast. "When Mr. Devananda, the attorney and the Attorney General’s Department official had finished discussions with the LTTE suspects it was past 6.00 p.m. When they were returning passing another room occupied by LTTE suspects, suddenly these LTTE suspects started shouting in Tamil, surrounded Mr. Devananda and began assaulting him," the prison officer recalled. They had been waiting for Mr. Devananda because one of them possessed a sharpened iron rod. This man assaulted Mr. Devananda on the head with the iron rod. Then a Prison Officer close by shouted for help from Prison Guards. Then a Prison Officer gave orders to shoot into the air and stop the assault. When the prison guard shot into the air the LTTE suspects dispersed," the prison officer told ‘The Island’ yesterday. Prison sources said that there had been plans to move the LTTE suspects to a detention camp at Boosa, but that camp has still not been completed. Kalutara SSP., M. Seevaratnam under whose directions police investigations are being carried out told ‘The Island’ that the iron rod in possession of the LTTE suspect had been removed from a concrete board fixed in a prison toilet. Shifting of Colombo Chest Clinic Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Nimal Siripala de Silva, reacting to the GMOA’s protest against the shifting of the Colombo Chest Clinic (CCC) to Welisara, said that the GMOA is opposed to this move not because of their concern for patients but due to the reluctance of their members to go to Welisara. A press release issued by the ministry on Tuesday quoted Minister de Silva as saying that the GMOA had neither discussed the matter with him nor expressed their opposition to him on the move so far. The GMOA on Tuesday warned of ‘stern trade union action’ unless the Ministry of Health halted the shifting of the CCC from its present location. They also demanded the sophisticated X-ray machine used by the CCC which has now been dumped at the Welisara Chest Hospital be relocated forthwith. According to the Health Ministry communique, the security authorities had on many occasions pointed out the insecure situation of the Government Drug Store due to the CCC which is situated in its proximity. "Although there is a fully equipped chest hospital in Welisara, only 50% of its facilities are being used. Providing a better service for TB patients making use of the facilities available at the hospital, is the major ambition of this shift", the statement said. The issue of medical examination reports for the members of the security forces, police and public servants was to be done at the Welisara hospital from yesterday onward. "Steps will be taken to ascertain the actual number of TB patients in Colombo and its suburbs within the next 15 days and treat them at another place in the Colombo city area," it added. Brigadier Sarath Munasinghe was yesterday promoted Major General. His appointment has been backdated to February 23, 1998. He joined the army as a Cadet Officer in February 1970 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1971. He was promoted Brigadier in June 1993 while serving as the Welioya Brigade Commander. (ZJ) Kandy Perahera to be held on a
low key KANDY: The Kandy Annual Esala Perahera will be held this year on a low key in view of the security situation in the country. The decision was taken at a meeting of the organisers of this historic national event. At this meeting, chaired by the Kandy District Secretary D. M. Nandisena it was decided to reduce the number of elephants in the perahera and confine the Kandyan dancing troupes only to the traditional schools. The glamour of the Kandy Esala Perahera is normally created by the large number of caprisoned elephants and tuskers and the colourful array of Kandyan dancers and drummers. However, perahera organisers this year have agreed to limit the alluring beauty of the national event due to security reasons. This year’s pageant will be held just seven months after the LTTE bomb attack on the Sri Dalada Maligawa the sacred place of worship which plays the key role in the Kandy Esala Perahera. Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne, several Basnayake Nilames, the police and the army as well as the respective state departments and voluntary organisations were present at this meeting held at the Kandy District Secretariat. Kandy Senior SP Nimal Mediwake explained that adequate security would be provided to the Kandy perahera as well as the Golden Jubilee Exhibition to be held simultaneously at Gannoruwa. The Kandy MC and the other state and local bodies as well as the voluntary organisations assured of their support to the perahera by providing assistance as is normally done. Basnayake Nilames, R. M. Navaratne, Denis Ratwatte, Sarath Yatawatte, Ranjith Ellegala, Gangawata Korale Pradeshiya Secretary S. B. Beddewela, Asssistant Buddhist Commissioner G. B. Damunupola, Central Provincial Educational Ministry Secretary Palitha Elkaduwa and several others also attended the meeting. Caught between Police - Tiger
fire A vehicle carrying two UNP MPs and a retired SSP had a narrow shave when it was caught in a gun battle between terrorists and police near Eravur Tuesday evening. National List MP A. H. M. Azwer, Batticaloa District MP Ali Zahir Moulana and SSP M. A. Majeed were on their way to Eravur in Moulana's vehicle when police exchanged fire with terrorists between Chenkalady and Eravur. The windscreen of the vehicle had been smashed as a result of gunshots. However no one has been wounded. Earlier in the day at Polonnaruwa, the MP s had interviewed some party men seeking to contest the forthcoming Provincial Councils polls for the North Central Province. Later reports said that two policemen were wounded in the incident. Casualties suffered by terrorists were not known. GL Colombo East SLFP organiser Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris has been appointed the Chief SLFP Organiser for Colombo East by President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Tuesday (30) at the Temple Trees, party sources said. Lease cancellation of 1800 hectares challenged in Supreme Court A cancellation of a previous decision, by the Forest Conservation Department to lease 1800 hectares of land in Matale and Nuwara Eliya Districts, to Ucalexpo (Pvt.) Limited, has been challenged in the Supreme Court. In this case, Ucalexpo (Pvt.) Limited of Badulla Road, Welimada, a company engaged in the steam distillation of essential oils, on an industrial scale, in Sri Lanka, has filed a fundamental rights violation plea in the Supreme Court, challenging the cancellation of the earlier decision, and the subsequent rejection of the proposals submitted by petitioner, Ucalexpo (Pvt.) Limited, to lease 1800 hectares of pine plantation from Matale and Nuwara Eliya Districts. The decision to reject the petitioner's proposals for the said lease, had been conveyed to the petitioner by letter signed by the Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, dated 13.1.98. The petitioner had planned to extract Oleoresin and process the same for the manufacture of Gum Rosin and Turpentine, the petition said. It was alleged in the petition, that the petitioner company, its two directors and a concerned investor, were neither informed of the Constitution of the Technical Evaluation Committee nor informed of the dates on which the said committee was to meet, nor were they granted the opportunity to make representations to the said committee, though they had specifically requested such opportunity. The petition alleged that the decision to cancel the previous decision to lease the 1800 hectares to the petitioner company, was arrived to hand over the said land on lease to the State Timber Corporation. This was subsequent to the petitioner, spending considerably on equipment and on the retention of employees. The petitioner was not heard by the Technical Evaluation Committee in a proper way. The petition alleged that the third respondent, the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, had acted mala fide in rejecting the proposal submitted by the petitioner. The petitioner had been subjected to hostile discrimination and denied the right to equality, guaranteed in Article 12 (1) of The Constitution of Sri Lanka. The petition requested the Supreme Court to grant leave to proceed, declare the violation of Fundamental Rights, and also to quash the decision contained in the letter dated 13.1.98 signed by the Ministry Secretary, to reject the Project Proposals submitted by the petitioner to lease 1800 hectares of pine plantations, from the Matale and the Nuwara Eliya Districts for the extraction of Oleoresin for the processing and manufacture of gum and turpentines. This case is to be argued before the Supreme Court on September 14. Leave to proceed was granted on May 20, 1998. The Respondents, The Conservator of Forests, and the connected officials were given time till August 19, to file objections, if any. On May 20, the Supreme Court has made order, permitting the respondents, if so advised by the state, to call for fresh public tender, for the extent of land, in dispute, and also to process the tenders received. But the Court directed them to refrain from making an award until the hearing and final determination of this application. The petition was supported by President's Counsel, Tilak Marapana, with Nalin Ladduwahetty, and Jayantha Fernando instructed by Dhammika D. Yapa. The bench comprised Justice Mark Fernando, Justice R. N. M. Dheeraratne and Justice D. P. S. Gunasekera. Hearing will be on September 14. The Deputy Solicitor General, Mr. Saleem Marsoof, PC, with State Counsel, Mohan Gopallawe appeared for the respondents, the Conservator of Forests, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry and six other respondents. New Jaffna Mayor wants peace The new TULF Mayor of Jaffna, Attorney-at-Law Pon Sivapalan stressed in his maiden speech on Monday, that without the participation of the LTTE no development or peace can be achieved towards solving the ethnic conflict in the country. The new Mayor who was sworn in before the Commissioner of Oaths Mr. Ananda Sangari at 2.00 p.m. at the main Jaffna Municipal Council office. Of the 23 members in the Council, 16 were present at the inaugural meeting, 9 of TULF, 3 of PLOTE, 2 of EPRLF and 2 of EPDP members. Mr. Pon Sivapalan said this is not the time for development, this is a time for peace through negotiations to achieve the aspirations of the Tamil people. It was through a tragic incident, that I accidentally got the opportunity of occupying the chair of Mayor of Jaffna. The TULF hierarchy will be the decision makers on matters of political policies. Mother feeds children with
poison and takes it herself A tragic incident where a mother had fed poison to her two young children and later killed herself by drinking the remaining poison due to abject poverty has been reported from Arawwela, Pannipitiya. The two children are in a critical condition. Twenty-three year old Hettiarachchige Chandrika Samanmalee and her two children, Elvitigalage Don Lahiru (5) and Elvitigalage Don Manjula Tharindu (3) had been living in a hut built by her husband, Alvitigalage Kamal (28) at Arawwala, Pannipitiya. Their son the elder of the two children had fallen sick and the parents could not afford treatment. The mother was frustrated and in state of despair she had committed this act as she could not go on seeing her children suffering. On the day in question, she had fed the two children with poison and she herself had consumed poison from the same bottle. Immediately three of them were taken to the Sri Jayawardenapura hospital. After admission the mother had died. A letter written by the mother stating that she had fed the children with poison and that she also had consumed poison as she could not afford to look after the children, had been found. The request into the death of the mother was conducted by, Wijesiri Gamage, Inquirer into Sudden Deaths at Sri Jayawardanapura Hospital. Hospital police post PC., Keerthi Basnayake (7336) and Maharagama police PC., Ranjith Bandara (22509) led the evidence at the inquest. Alvitigalage Kamal, husband of the deceased giving evidence at the inquest said "on June 26 I went to the boutique to buy a pound of bread. On my return I saw my wife holding the two children and was standing in a peculiar way on the doorstep. She then told me that she consumed poison and also gave to the two children. I saw phlegm oozing out of the mouths of the two children. Then I shouted. Neighbours rushed to the scene hearing my cries. The three were immediately taken to Jayawardanapura Hospital in a threewheeler. I saw a letter written by wife to a brother of hers. I recognize her handwriting, witness said. The postmortem was conducted by Chief Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo South Hospital, Dr. S. M. Kolambage. Inquirer Into Sudden Deaths after considering the evidence led at the inquest and also considering medical report recorded that suicide was due to consuming poison. The body was handed over to the husband for burial. A felicitation ceremony in memory of the late Major General Larry Wijeratne will be held today (July 2) at 2 p.m. at the National Youth Services Council Auditorium in Maharagama. The keynote address will be by Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne. The other speakers at the ceremony will be Mr. S. Manoranjan and a representative of the Point Pedro Youth Club, Mr. Karunarathna Paranavithana. Other participants include the ministers Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. S. B. Dissanayake Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Mr. Mangala Samaraweera Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Media. Samurdhi-Govi animators’ plea to the
president The secretary of the organisation representing Samurdhi-Govi animators S. A. D. Jagath Kumara said they are awaiting a reply from the President before the 20th of July. He said that a month’s time has been given to the President to discuss the matter with the ministers and reply to their demands. Jagath Kumara said that during the period leading up to the 20th they will be rallying the support of parents of the Samurdhi-Govi animators by forming parents committees to back their cause. The Secretary of the Samurdhi-Govi animators organization in a letter to the President dated 22nd June has stated that the Samurdhi-Govi animators worked with dedication to bring the PA government into power and offered their services for the development of the country for the past 3 years. The letter addressed to the President further states that the Samurdhi-Govi animators are prepared to carry out their services further except that these workers feel frustrated and disillusioned as their jobs are still insecure. The Samurdhi-Govi animators union is a product of this feeling of insecurity. It has to be emphasised however that this union is not backed by any opposition political party or institution nor do we seek their assistance. Therefore it is a farce to say that our organisation is driven by these forces. Our intention is to make all Samurdhi-Govi workers permanent and further steps in this direction was ratified at the National Symposium held on the 20th of June at Campbell Park.
We have decided not to accept the criteria currently under examination for permanency. "We have decided to allow a month’s time for the government to solve the problems of the animators. Thereafter we will decide whether we are going to engage in political activities or not. We have informed other trade unions of our position and further steps will be taken to inform the public of our position. Therefore we request your excellency to take a decision in fairness to all Samurdhi-Govi animators within the period of this month. Seven terrorists killed, two injured Seven terrorists were killed and two injured on Tuesday in the ongoing "Operation Jayasikuru. The first incident took place during daytime West of Ampakamam where troops sniped and killed 03 terrorists. Around 2 p.m. North West of Kunchukkulam troops operating forward of defences sniped and killed two terrorists, Operational Headquarters reported yesterday. Troops confronted a group of terrorists around 4 p.m. Northwest of Kunchukkulam and engaged with small arms causing the terrorists to flee the area. Ground troops confirm 02 terrorists were killed and 02 terrorist wounded. Subsequently troops searched the area and recovered 1 terrorist body along with 01 T 56 weapon, 03 magazines and 02 hand grenades. Troops continue to dominate areas ahead of defences. On Monday and Tuesday during daytime 243 displaced persons of 99 families reached Gurunagar Jetty from uncleared areas. On Tuesday around 10.15 a.m. at Pullaveli in Kilinochchi District, troops on route clearing duties recovered an anti-tank mine. Later Army Engineers defused it. Around 11.00 a.m. at Vakaneri in Batticaloa District, troops on search and clear operation in the area recovered a camouflaged three wheeler and 02 motor cycles. On Tuesday around 8.30 a.m. at Atchuvely in Jaffna District, two members of EPDP had been killed by unknown persons, Op. Hq. said in a news communique. 100th birth anniversary of Vajiraramaya Nayaka Thera The 100th birthday anniversary of the late Most Ven. Narada Maha Nayake Thera of Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya will be commemorated with a series of religious ceremonies commencing from Esela Poya Day which falls on July 9. Among the religious ceremonies are a 'sil' campaign conducted by Most Ven. Agga Maha Panditha Madihe Pagnaseeha Maha Nayaka Thera at Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya along with the unveiling of the life size statue of Ven. Narada Maha Nayake Thera at 8.30 a.m. On July 12, a Maha Sanghika Dhana and Buddha Pooja will take place. On July 14, donation of parcels of dry rations to 100 needy persons with another Bodhi pooja at 6.30 p.m. on the same day. Chief Incumbent of Mallikaramaya, Ratmalana, Most Ven. Weligama Gnanaratana, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammavasa, Ven. Kihimbiye Vijitha, Ven. Ahangama Ananda Maha Nayake Theras along with several distinguished guests which includes several ministers will participate in these religious ceremonies. The religious ceremony has been organised by the Dayake Sabhawa of Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya, according to Kingsley Jayasinghe vice president of the Vajirarama Karyasadhaka Sabhawa. Stores unable to
accommodate stocks of drugs at Kandy GH The stores where drugs are stocked at the Kandy General Hospital is overstocked with large cases of saline and other drugs that all corridors of this stores are packed up with packing cases. The supply of drugs particularly saline has been increased and sent from Colombo Health Department headquarters to Kandy Hospital much more than the normal supply and as a result the drug stores of the hospital is incapable of accommodating them. The supply including over 70,000 bottles of saline among other drugs arrived at the Kandy Railway Station by train from Colombo. This consignment is sufficient for a period of at least 10 months. The normal supply of drugs to Kandy hospital is said to be equivalent to three months according to sources. The stock of drugs which arrived at the Kandy Railway Station some weeks ago was removed in parts until about 11/2 wagon loads contents were left behind at the railway station stores, a spokesman Kandy hospital explained. The balance could not be collected from the railway station stores as the stores remained closed on Tuesday (28), the spokesman added. However, drugs in there packages piled up in the corridors of the stores are out of danger, confirmed the sources. Prof. N. R. Arthenayake, the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) has been invited by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to New Delhi on 2 July 1998, to deliver Prof. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture. This lecture titled "Profile of a 21st Century Distance Teacher — A Developing World Paradigm" will be telecast live by Doordarshan International. Prof. Ram Reddy who passed away in July 1995 was the founder and first Vice Chancellor of IGNOU. He has also served as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission of India. The OUSL, a member of the Asian Association of Open Universities has a collaboration with IGNOU and also with Open Universities of Bangladesh and Pakistan. With reference to the news item under the headline, "Police Inspector fined for assault" in yesterday's "Island" it was inadvertently reported that a fine of Rs. 500 was imposed on the accused. In fact the accused was ordered to pay Rs. 500 as crown costs. The error is regretted. 'Kalyana Ranga' to mark Independence anniversary KANDY: In order to mark fifty years of independence and friendship of Sri Lanka and India the Assistant High Commission for India in Kandy in collaboration with Sri Lanka India Cultural Association of Central Province (Kalyana - Silica) has organised a Cultural Show 'Kalyana Ranga' to be staged on Sunday 05. The venue will be the Hindu Cultural Centre Hall, Peradeniya Road, Kandy. The show will commence at 5 p.m. The Buddhasasana and Cultural Affairs Minister Lakshman Jayakody will be the chief guest on the occasion. YWCA
doing yeoman service The Colombo Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) has been able to continue with its service projects and awareness programmes to help women and girls, irrespective of race, class or creed to develop spiritually, physically and mentally, said Dr. Miss. Sriyanie Miththapala on Monday. She was speaking at the 116th public meeting of YWCA of Colombo held at the Jubilee Hall, Union Place. She further said, that two new projects need special mention. The Day Centre for Elders is almost nearing completion and has to be equipped. The construction of the building was entirely from funds generated by the YWCA and without any foreign funding. She praised the board members for the untiring efforts and services provided to the society. President of the YWCA Mrs. Sita Perera said, the year under review has been successful. Most of the departments have done well. Financially the association is very stable. She thanked all those who have helped the association in numerous ways. Without the support of the board of management and its members the achievements would not been possible, she added. Ceremony to welcome Viharadhipathi A ceremony to welcome the Viharadhipathi of the Veherahena Poorvarama Viharaya and Director of Siri Revatha Pirivena, Ven. Davulagala Sangharathana Nayaka Thera on whom the Kotte Kalyani Samagri Dharma Sangha Sabha recently conferred the posts of Nayaka and Upadyaya and a honorary title, will be held on July 5 at Veherahena Poor-warama Rajamaha Viharaya in Matara. ‘Saddharma Keerthi Shri Rathanapala Revatha’ is the honorary title conferred on the prelate. Both the ordination and Upasampada are to be conducted under the supervision of a Upadyaya Thera, according to the Vinaya Pitaka. The duty of a Upadyaya Thera is to conform Bhikkus to viharika and other forms of discipline. Since advising is done after examining smaller and bigger mistakes of those who are under him very sympathetically, the name Upadyaya applies. The serving bhikku has to perform 127 types of services to Upadyaya. The Upa-dyaya Thera will have to provide 113 types of assistance to the serving bhikkus. If such services are provided and both sides get along well together, the Sasana will progress properly, indicated Maha Kandaka of Maha Vaggha. Kotte Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, has appointed Ven. Davulagala Sangharathana with the chief Sangha Nayaka of the Southern sector of Sri Lanka. |
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