USAID funded vocational Training Center for Ampara

A vocational training center for the Ampara Central Camp constructed at a cost of Rs. 111 million was declared open yesterday (12)

Minister of Vocational and Technical Training, Piyasena Gamage and the American Ambassador for Sri Lanka Robert O. Blake were the chief guests of the opening ceremony.

The Government of Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will construct such vocational training centers in the tsunami hit areas of the South and East.

The Ampara Central Camp vocational training center will offer several courses including carpentry, water pipe mechanism, electricians and domestic electricians, repairing bicycles and repairing three-wheelers.

‘Adhistana Pooja’ by Sri Lankan artists to enlighten South Indian counterparts

Sri Lankan artists are scheduled to stage a slogan free, peaceful demonstration today (13) in response to the agitation campaign launched by their South Indian counterparts, who earlier protested against the Sri Lankan Government’s humanitarian against the LTTE.

The main purpose of the demo is to show the real situation in the country, sources close to the artists said, noting that their South Indian counterparts were misled by pro-LTTE politicians in Tamli Nadu.

An open letter will also be sent to the Indian Government and the South Indian artists clarifying the actual situation prevailing in the country to waive off their fears.

In addition an “Adhistana Pooja” will be staged at Independence Square today with a simple lamp lighting ceremony urging sincere dedication to the national cause and to enlighten the India artists of the humane, tolerant and fraternal treatment of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the artists will cordially invite the Indian counterparts to visit Sri Lanka and see for themselves the manner in which the Tamil community enjoys freedoms in multi-communal townships a fact which also bears testimony to the largely tolerant Sri Lankan way of life.

All artists are invited to be present on this occasion putting aside political differences if any

Courtesy: Government Information Department

Sri Lankan artists’ demonstration tomorrow

Sri Lankan artists are scheduled to stage a slogan free, peaceful demonstration tomorrow (13) in response to the south Indian Counterparts who protest against the Government humanitarian offensives in Sri Lanka, on a misunderstood conception.

The main objective of the demo is to show the real situation in the country.

An open letter will also be sent to the Indian Government and the South Indian artists clarifying the actual situation prevailing in the country to wave off their fears.

“Adhistana Pooja” will be staged at the Independence Square tomorrow with a simple lamp ceremony pleading sincere dedication to a national cause to enlighten the brother artists of India of the very humane, tolerant and fraternal treatment of the Tamil people of our population.

The artists will cordially invite the Indian counterparts to visit Sri Lanka and see for them selves the manner in which the Tamil community enjoy the free life in the cities of Sri Lanka major towns like Wellawatta which are Multi- Communal town ships and bear testimony to Sri Lankan way of life.

These views were conveyed to Lankapuvath by Ms. T.M Sangadasa  (Consultant National Film Cooperation)and Tele -Drama Director and Producer Ms. Ranjan de Silva .

All artists are invited to be present on this occasion which has no political bias or favour.

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

President Rajapaksa attends inauguration of new Maldivian President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid a brief official visit to the Maldives on 10-11 November, 2008 to attend the inaugural ceremony of the new Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and other officials of the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the swearing-in ceremony President Mohamed Nasheed, in his Address to the Nation extended a warm welcome to the President of Sri Lanka and thanked him for making a special effort to attend the ceremony.

Soon after the ceremony, the Sri Lankan President was the first foreign dignitary to pay a courtesy call on the new President accompanied by Foreign Minister Bogollagama, the Acting High Commissioner, Mr. H.M.T. Wijewickrama and the delegation.

President Rajapaksa extended his warm felicitations to President Nasheed as the new leader of the Maldives and welcomed the first ever multi-party election and the new reforms as a new beginning in the political history of the Maldives. He conveyed his best wishes to President Nasheed for a successful tenure of office.

Both sides agreed to continue to work together and to strengthen and deepen the multi-faceted links which exist between the two countries. It was noted that there are over 10,000 Sri Lankans in the Maldives and the Maldivian President welcomed their presence. He stated that the private sector investments, especially in the tourism sector is encouraged. In this context, the possibility of working together to promote joint destination packages which should benefit both countries was discussed.

Reference was made to the library building in the Maldives which was donated by Sri Lanka when the Foreign Minister visited the Maldives in November 2007. President Nasheed is keen to further expand the collection of books in the Library. In the field of Information Technology the Sri Lanka President spoke of the proposal to set up Tele Centres (Nanasala).

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama referred to the activities of SAARC and stated that Sri Lanka as SAARC Chair looks forward to the support and cooperation of the Maldives to promote the collective efforts of SAARC member states for the benefit and prosperity of the South Asian Region. It was observed that Maldives would be hosting the SAARC Summit in 2009.

President Nasheed spoke of the close people-to-people contacts which have been established due to many Maldivians who have studied in Sri Lanka, and, those who still continue to have their education in Sri Lanka which has resulted in a close affinity between the two countries.

President Nasheed accepted the invitation extended by President Rajapaksa to pay a visit to Sri Lanka which would take place before the end of this year.

The President and the Foreign Minister also called on the former President Gayoom. President Rajapaksa conveyed his best wishes to the former President and said that he would be remembered as a statesman who made a significant contribution to the Maldives and to the South Asian region.

Sri Lanka High Commission Male

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

A donation of one Lakhs for Soldiers

Helping to free the country from the clutches of terrorism is not only the duty of the Soldiers but also of the citizens of the country. This was proved today (10) in a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence to donate a sum of rupees 1 Lakhs to the “Api Wenuwen Api” fund by Ms. Tamara Nilanthi Katuwela a resident of Thumbowila, Piliyandala. Secretary of Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa accepted the donation officially at the Ministry premises last morning, 10 November.

Speaking at the ceremony Ms. Tamara Nilanthi Katuwawela stated that she was moved by the dedication of the Secretary of Defence to uplift the Soldiers who work so tirelessly in the Northern Province. She stated that the money was initially for her parents’ trip to India however they decided to donate the money for this more worthy means,cause.

Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed his sincere gratitude towards this young lady who donated this amount for the brave war heroes. He further stated that it was important to felicitate the brave soldiers and express gratitude towards their hard work.

Mr Jinadasa Katuwawela, father of Nilanthi Katuwawela was also present at the ceremony.

Courtesy - MCNS