JAFFNA round~Up

Development committee inaugurated

A development committee has been inaugurated under the patronage of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The committee consists of 16 persons headed by former Jaffna University Vice Chancellor Prof Pon Balasunderampillai, Vice President of the Committee is Attorney-at-law Rangan and the Secretary is Ira Selvavadivel.

The committee will assist in solving the problems faced at the hospital and function as a supervisory and counselling committee.

Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee celebrated

The Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of the Founder of Thiru Marai Kala Mantram in Jaffna Rev Fr Maria Xavier was celebrated at St Mary's Church, Jaffna. The diplomatic representative of the Pope, Papal Nuncio Bishop Joseph Spritari conducted the High Mass.

The foundation stone for the building to exhibit arts and drawings was laid at No. 15 Rekha Road by the former Archbishop of Colombo and Chancellor Colombo University Rt Rev Mgr Oswald Gomis.

A book launching ceremony took place under the patronage of Bishop of Jaffna Rt Rev Dr Thomas Saundranayagam in the evening at the cultural centre of the Kalamantram to commemorate jubilee event.

A contemporary of the jubilarian Bishop Kingsley Swamipillai and the priest in charge of Madhu Matha Church Rev Fr Xavier Croos were felicitated by the Jaffna Bishop, Bishop of Mannar Rt Rev Rayappu Joseph, Rt Rev Oswald Gomis, the Chief Incumbent of Nallur Atheenam Sri La Sri Somasunthera Pramachariyar Ven Dharmakeerthi Thera and Dr. Jinnah Sheritharan.

A cultural programme by the artistes of Kalamantram also took place to mark the occasion.

Cyclist succumbs to injuries

A female cyclist of Punalaikadduvan who was knocked down by a van succumbed to her injuries at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. She was identified as Krishnanshanthy (30) of Punnalaikadduvan North. The driver of the van is absconding.

Injured student dies

Thirteen year old student Antony Johnson (13) of Kachcheri Road Chavakachcheri who was admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital with fatal injuries after been knocked down by a speeding van succumbed to his injuries.

Beach volleyball for North

For the first time a beach Volleyball playing field has been inaugurated in the Northern Province where males and females could take part.

This innovation has been introduced by Northern Province Sports Association Director S Annathurai and Mullaithivu Sports Officer Thanuraj.

The Volleyball teams in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar and Kilinochchi are expected to participate in this novel exercise. Though Beach Volleyball has not been introduced in the North, volleyball players from the North had taken part in a tournament at Hambantota and exhibited their mettle.

It is to make use of potentials of Northern volleyball players that the beach volleyball competition has been introduced.