Archive for September 8th, 2008

Watch ITN Sinhala News 2008 - 09 - 08

Minor explosion at Gas Paha junction -Colombo

A minor explosion has occurred at Gas Paha junction in Colombo around 9.45 PM. Police suspect a hand grenade has been exploded by an unknown party. According to the available information Eight people have suffered injuries in the explosion.

Police conduct further investigations.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Sri Lanka Cultural Event in California: Esala Perahera Re-Enacted

When the historic Esala Perahera concluded in Sri Lanka, the replica of the same pageant was staged in Los Angeles, California last weekend by the Sri Lanka Foundation of California.

About 10,000 participants patronized the Sri Lankan cultural events during a ten-hour period.

The Esala Perahera was complete with a well decorated tusker, Kandyan dancers, Nilames and other items normally associated with this historic pageant.

The Sri Lanka cultural extravaganza was held at the 3rd Street promenade in Santa Monica, California.

It was a great success judging by the depth of participation and the strong sense of oneness exhibited by the Sri Lankans. It helped Sri Lankan businesses to introduce themselves to the large crowd present. There were over 30 booths providing unlimited access to everyone to enjoy Sri Lankan products, food, books, records, and items of cultural value.

The brain-child behind this cultural event, third year in succession, is the head of the Sri Lanka Foundation in California Dr. Walter Jayasinghe who has summoned varying talents, expertise and cooperation from the vast Sri Lankans scattered in the State of California to make events of this nature extremely successful.

He is the initiator of Annual Award Ceremony recognizing talents, contributions and achievements of Sri Lankan expatriates in the United States.

Dr. Jayasinghe’s efforts over the years have exposed Sri Lankan cultural practices, norms and their richness to the American community while bringing togetherness in the expatriate community. In fact, his Foundation has reached to Sri Lankan expatriates in many other States in the U.S.

Sri Lankan music was provided by Indu Wickremasinghe, Shehan Kanhanda, vocals were given by Anishka and Chatuni. Short plays were presented by Kanthi Jayasinghe depicting Sinhala and Tamil New Year, and Wesak and a traditional Sri Lankan Wedding. Another play presented the ancient story of Andare, the Royal Court jester of the era of Kingdoms in ancient Sri Lanka.

Dr. Walter Jayasinghe was working very closely with the former Sri Lanka Consul General of the Western States, now the Sri Lanka ambassador in Washington, Jaliya Wickramasuriya in exposing Sri Lankan culture, trade and investments to the American people and entrepreneurs.

By Daya Gamage – U.S. Correspondent Lankapuvath

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

US. Embassy and “Room to Read” to promote literacy among children in Puttalam

In line with the International Literacy Day which falls on the 8^th of September, the United States Embassy in Sri Lanka will work with “Room to Read” international organization to promote literacy among children in the Puttlam.

More accurate and comprehensive measurement of development through ‘Prosperity Index’

ImageCentral Bank of Sri Lanka has introduced a new index to measure prosperity in the country by tracking the progress in several sectors. The new index has been named “Sri Lanka Prosperity Index” (SLPI), which was officially introduced today (08), a spokesman for the Central Bank told www.news.lk.

Several factors have been taken into consideration as ‘indicators’ when forming this index. Accordingly main focus has been given to measure the inter-provincial prosperity level that spans over major areas such as economy, business, well being of the people and socio-economic infrastructure.

The prosperity index will also be based on a set of indicators and demographic trends such as employment growth and income.

The variables in SLPI carry equal weights as practiced in most of the indices internationally used, such as Human Development Index (HDI) developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Sacramento Prosperity Index (SPI) developed by Regional Research Institute (SRRI) in California, United States, Central Bank sources said.

This is the first time that an “index” has been introduced covering all aspects of development of the country, Central Bank announced.

So far the development of all the regions in the country has been assested in accordance with the “Prosperity Index” since 2000 to 2007.

The evaluation will take place in every year, Central Bank said.

Courtesy: Government Information Department