Quick Look

Pinkamas to mark President’s fourth year

An all night Pirith chanting will be held at the historic Kataragama Parithrana hall tonight to invoke merit and blessings on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the members of the three armed forces, police and the public marking the four years of President Rajapaksa assuming office as the Executive President and to mark his birthday. It will be followed by a Sanghika Dana for 1,000 members of Bhikkhus at the same venue tomorrow.

The events are organised by Kataragama Shrine Basnayake Nilame and Private Secretary to the President Shashindra Rajapaksa.

An all night Pirith Chanting tomorrow followed by a Sanghika Dana at Temple Trees the following day.

Ministry to buy B onions

The Trade Ministry will buy local big Onions through the Lak-Sathosa. A purchasing centre will be opened in the Dambulla delicated economic centre premises.

Training on translation

A 10-day training program on translation is being held at the National Language Education and Training Institute in Agalawatte.

Twenty-five teaching staff of Eastern University are undergoing training on language translation that would help to improve their skills.

Lecturers from Kelaniya, Peradeniya and Ruhunu Universities conduct the courses. Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister D. E. W. Gunasekera will give away certificates to the participants tomorrow at the Institute.

Lookout for new moon

The Colombo Grand Mosque appealed to the Muslim public to lookout for the new moon today immediately after Maghrib to decide on the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja Hijri 1430.

If you sight the new moon, telephone the Colombo Grand Mosque on (011) 2390783, 2432110, 2434651 or 0777 366099.

NCAS lecture by Dr Anura Ekanayake

The National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS) has organised a guest lecture by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Dr. Anura Ekanayake to be held on Thursday November 19 from 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. at its premises, 6A, Sukhastan Gardens, Ward Place, Colombo 7.

This is part of the NCAS guest lecture series for this year and Dr. Ekanayake will be speaking on topic, ‘Essential Research and Academic Inputs for the Full Utilization of the Post-War Window of Opportunity for Sri Lanka.’

Dr. Ekanayake, a honours graduate in Economics from the University of Peradeniya, holds his PhD in Economics from the Australian National University (ANU) where he conducted research on ‘Economics of Human Capital’, a much needed research area for the future of Sri Lanka’s intended knowledge economy.

Ma-del season begins

K. A. Perera - Wadduwa special corr.

The ma-del season has commenced in the coastal region from Panadura to Beruwala with the commencement of the North-East monsoon.

This will provide seasonal employment to more than ten thousand people of the fishing community.

The price of fish has come down considerably as the small varieties of fish including sprats to be found in plenty.

At present paraw (small variety) is sold at Rs. 125 per five hundred grams in the open market.

'Lessons' of a different kind

A 41-year-old tuition master from Udugama South has been taken into custody for alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old who attended a tuition class in a house on Sunday.

The alleged victim is said to be a resident of Bataketiya division. Police are investigating.

SAARC Ministers meet

The Second Conference of Science and Technology Ministers of SAARC Countries will be held in Colombo on November 23 and 24.

Mother commits suicide

Vavunia Central Special Correspondent

Lakshika Herath, 32, mother of two of Diyawaragama , Mamaduwa attached to the Civil Security Force committed suicide by shooting herself in her house yesterday. The weapon she used for the act belonged to her husband, who is attached to the Vavuniya police. The weapon has been brought to the house by her husband, sources revealed.

Police said they were trying to ascertain why a service weapon had been brought to the policeman’s house.

Rudd to join climate talks

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will attend the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, he announced yesterday.

Denmark Prime Minister Lars Rasumssen invited Rudd and other Heads of Government to attend the UN conference, on December 17 and 18.

Rudd said he will attend the leaders’ segment of the Copenhagen conference. The Copenhagen meeting represents a critical moment in international efforts to reach a robust agreement on global action to tackle the effects of climate change. For current and future generations, it is important that all nations work towards a global solution to this global challenge, said a Press release.