Quick Look

Japanese language program on Rupavahini

An exciting way to learn Japanese language has been developed by the Japan Foundation entitled ‘Erin’s Challenge! I Can Speak Japanese’.

The 25 lesson program features mini-dramas by up-and-coming actors together with clear and fun explanations by animation characters.

In addition to language study, the program is designed to help learners develop an attitude conducive to cultural understanding.

This program commenced on November 6 and will be telecast every Friday on Rupavahini Channel at 4.30 p.m. courtesy of the Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka.

Meeting

A special meeting of the Peradeniya University Alumni Association ‘68 group’ will be held at the Bungalow (Gal Bangalawa) at the foot of Hantana hill, Peradeniya on November 15 at 10 am.

Meditation program

Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres will launch Experiencing Inner Power and Protection through Good Wishes and Pure Feelings on November 15 at BMICH Committee room-A, at 5.00 p.m.

“Experiencing Inner Power & Protection” is a meditation program which will give participants a chance to experiment and experience the power of thoughts with guided commentaries in all three languages.

PM to preside inaugural ceremony

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka will preside over the inaugural ceremony to launch the program aimed at eradicating Thalassaemia in Wayamba Province at the new Provincial auditorium, Kurunegala on November 13.

The program has been organised by the Wayamba Provincial Health Ministry.

Landslide tragedy in Kandy

Asela Kuruluwansa

Three members of the same family including the mother, son and daughter were injured and admitted to the Kandy hospital when a mound of earth fell on their house damaging it in a landslide at Welikanda, Kandy early yesterday.

Neighbours had to clear the debris to rescue the injured before rushing them to hospital. The two children are said to be aged 14 and 15. H. M. C. Moremada of the National Building Research Institute said many areas in and around Kandy have been identified as prone to landslides.

Hotel owner shoots man

Rafik Jaladeen

A hotel owner shot dead a man in Tissamaharama early yesterday, police said.

The 32-year-old man was gunned down by the owner at around 1.00 a.m. and the victim succumbed to his injuries after admission to the Hambantota hospital, police said.

“The man had come to the hotel as a guest. It is believed that a personal dispute led to the shooting, police added. The victim was identified as K.D. Amila, a resident of Uduvila, Tissamaharama.

Police are on the look out for the suspect.

Wasps attack tea pluckers

Ten tea pluckers including eight women attached to Stonycliff Estate, Dimbula were admitted to Kotagala District Hospital after they were attacked by wasps during work on Monday. Meanwhile, Uva Paranagama police said a woman aged 55 died inside her home at Haggala, Galahagama in Kabilladowa on Monday after a mound of earth fell onto the house following torential rain in the area.

Tree falls on Devalaya

W.C.B. Fernando Puttalam group corr

A massive palu tree which was uprooted during heavy winds around 5.30 a.m. yesterday fell on the roof of the Aiyanayake Devalaya at Thiththakade, Chilaw causing extensive damage to the roof. None of the images at the Devalaya were damaged. There were no casualties either.

Workshop on bio-materials

The Information Services Centre of the Industrial Technology Institute states that a workshop on bio-materials: Possibilities and Perspectives will be held at the University of Mauritius from November 30 to December 4. The workshop is organized by Prof. David Kaplan in collaboration with Prof. Dhanjay Jhurry.

The objectives of the workshop are to initiate the establishment of an integrated inter-disciplinary research, education and training program with a focus on the engineering of bio-materials for application in the bio-medical field, including aspects of bio-materials, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, nano-technology and bio-sensors.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Technology Institute at the Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo, has published a series of publications on various subjects including aromatic plants, medicinal plants and Sri Lankan spices in English and Sinhala, for the benefit of industrialists.

(MPM)

Death of Lankan sportsman A. H. I. Hameed in Saudi

Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh

Prominent sportsman and Sri Lankan community leader in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Hameed Imthias Hameed, 52, passed away after a brief illness at the Saad Specialist Hospital in Alkhobar, Sunday.

Hameed was the founder president of the Sri Lankan Sport Club in Dammam and had also officiated as the president of Dammam Cricket Association. He has also held several positions in the Sri Lankan Expatriates Association (SLEA) in the Eastern Province and finally was its vice president in 2007.

He had taken an active role in his community events and was largely responsible for amalgamating several Lankan bodies in the Eastern Province into one.

Canadian HC to commemorate war dead

The High Commission of Canada will organize a ceremony today at the Commonwealth War Graves Section of Colombo’s Liveramentu Cemetery to honour Canadians who paid the ultimate price for defending their country in the World War II. Canada’s new High Commissioner (Designate), Bruce Levy will preside. The event will commence at 10.45 a.m.

Mailvaganam memorial oration

Mailvaganam Memorial Oration - 2009 organised by the Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka to commemorate the first Sri Lankan professor of Physics will be held today 4.00 p.m. at the New Physics Lecture Theatre, University of Colombo. The oration is on “Electron Microscopy in the Study of Materials” and will be delivered by Prof. B.S.B. Karunaratne, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya.

The event is open to the public.

Suspects granted bail

Sarath Malalasekera

Three suspects who had been remanded in connection with collecting over Rs. 1.5 million from three persons promising them jobs in Australia were granted bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Gihan Pilapitiya on Monday.

Granting bail for the suspects the Judge directed them to furnish cash bail in a sum of Rs. 25,000 each and a bond of Rs. 75,000 with three sureties.

The Colombo Fraud Investigations Bureau conducted the investigations into the complaint made by three persons.

Attorneys Channa Gunaratne and Anil Wijenayake supported the bail application on behalf of the suspects.

Remembrance service

The Remembrance Service of Wesley College, Colombo will be held at 6.00pm today, Wednesday at the college main hall.

A plaque which bears the names of five old boys who sacrificed their lives to the nation will be unveiled during the service by Major General Laksiri Amarathunga.

Tribute to Jayantha Kelegama

The Department of Economics, University of Kelaniya will launch a book in memory of the first Professor of Economics at the University of Kelaniya (1958-1966) Jayantha Kelegama.

The book titled: ‘Sri Lankan Economy in Transition: Progress, Problems, and Prospects’ edited by (Head of the Department of Economics, University of Kelaniya) Ajitha Tennakoon and published by Vijitha Yapa Publishers will be launched under the patronage of Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana, at 3.00 pm at the University of Kelaniya on Friday, November 13.

The event will be presided by Kelaniya University Vice Chancellor Prof. Sarath Amunugama and is organized jointly by the Department of Economics, University of Kelaniya and the Sri Lanka Economic Association.