News in brief

Estate road reconstruction

The Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development Ministry has allocated Rs 7 million to construct estate roads.

Under the patronage of Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development Minister Arumugam Thondaman, the inauguration ceremony was held at the Maskeliya plantations recently.

Rs. 2.8 million was allocated for concreting the roads of the Brown Low division, Brown Low estate, Rs 2.5 million for the Adams Peak division Moccka Estate and Rs. 1.7 million for the Bloomfield division Kovil road.

New Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka

Rajakeeya Pandita Most Ven. Dodampahala Sri Suguna Thera will receive the act of appointment as Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of the Amarapura Nikaya from Mahanayake Thera of the Amarapura Nikaya, Most Ven. Ambalangoda Sumangala Thera, Pulinathalarama Maha Viharaya Kalutara North today at 9.00 a.m.

This ceremony will coincide with the 140th death anniversary commemoration of Pandita Most Venerable Weligama Sri Sumangala Thera.

Seminar on ‘Transfer Pricing’

A seminar on Transfer Pricing organised by ILMS City Campus to discuss the new laws on Transfer Pricing stated in Act No. 10 of 2006 will be held at Hotel Ceylon Continental today from 9.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m. Deputy Commissioner, Banking and Financial Service Unit of the Inland Revenue Gamini Wijesinghe will be the resource person. Senior Commissioner Strategic Operational Planning and Tax Ruling, Department of Inland Revenue H B A Seneviratne will be the panelist.

Toastmasters Conference

The National Conference of Sri Lankan Toastmasters 2009 will be held at Mount Lavinia Hotel today. This is one of the key events in Toastmasters calender where toastmasters get-together. Toastmasters from India who also belong to District 82 are expected to participate.

Retreat program

The holy week retreat program will be held at the Eymard Campbell Retreat House, Hanwella from April 4 to 10 for a maximum of 30 participants. The program would include inputs on Holy Week Liturgy, Holy Week Readings, Holy Week Rituals and Easter Triduum.

Book launch

The book Silambukaviam by M.B. Sellavel will be launched today at 4.30 p.m. at Ramakrishna Mission, Wellawatta. Retired Supreme Court Judge C.V. Wigneswaran will be the chief guest. The ceremony will be headed by T. Kobalakrishnan.

Special event

A special event to celebrate the completion of 200 Mavu Piya Mehewara program will be held at the Castle Maternity Hospital Auditorium today.

Cop caught treating geuda in hospital

Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Security Service members have caught one of their fellow security members who was involved in heat-treating a geuda gem stone by using a radio therapy machine in the unit of the hospital on Thursday.

This suspect who was to be in Police uniform was engaged in the illicit operation in civvies when he was nabbed by the security officers attached to the hospital, Hospital Director D.M.T.B. Wijekoon said. This machine is meant for treating cancer patients but had been used for heat treating gem stones thus wasting a huge quantity of valuable therapeutic material, Wijekoon said adding that this had denied the much needed treatment for cancer patients. This suspect was handed over to the Anuradhapura Police. Investigations are continuing to arrest two more suspects involved in the incident.

Body found on estate road

The body of a youth of around 28 was recovered from a hilly road at Queensberry Estate, Kataboola last Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Pushpakumara of Nearby Kolapatne Estate, from the NIC which was found in his pocket.

Missing

Upali Niyarapola (63) father of Asha Erandi Niyarapola of 262/12, Galauda Road, Kotelawala, Kaduwela is reported missing from the Colombo National Hospital since March 6 while he was receiving indoor treatment.

He is lean, 5 feet 6 inches tall and has a thyroid gland. He has been last seen in a sarong and shirt. Any information regarding him should be furnished to the above address or telephone 072-4354378, 071-2006618 or 060 2116630.