SLIM Star Night 2009

The Students Council of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing organised a musical evening titled ‘SLIM Star Night 2009’ on May 15, 2009 at the ‘SLIM Home’, Colombo 10 from 5:30 p.m. onwards.

This is the first project of the SLIM Students Council 2009. The main purpose of this event is to raise funds for the SLIM Student Council. Best Singer and Best Dancer will be awarded prizes. The night will be filled with DJ music and a calypso band.

SLIM Students Council 2009 invites all registered student of SLIM to take part in this grand event.
For more details contact Hasoodh on 0719204402 and Lahiru on 0773879350.

Bishop’s College in the international limelight

An year of hard work, dedication, untiring effort and undying passion reached its climax at the International Schools Award presentation ceremony held at the British Council Colombo, on March 21, 2009.

This was a very special day for Bishop’s College. Bishop’s College was recognised and appreciated for the international curriculum work done within the academic year 2008. They were presented with the International Schools Award.

The award consisted of a trophy, certificate and a token of appreciation. This award brought with it, an international status to Bishop’s College and an accreditation for three years.

A group of very energetic students guided by an equally energetic group of teachers are behind this award. May Bishop’s College stand tall throughout the years to come being true to her motto ‘non sibi sed omnibus’ - not for self but for all.

Emirates promo winner to fly A380 to London

A Sri Lankan working for the UN will call on London in style after she won a free ride on the Emirates Airbus A380 to Britain’s capital.

Surovi Salgado, a Programme Associate at the UN office in Colombo was the lucky winner of ‘Its Your Call to London’, an on-air quiz-based promotion conducted recently by Emirates in association with EFM radio.

Ms Salgado was one of several hundred pre-registered listeners who was called up at random and asked to answer questions on London and Emirates, which operates 98 flights a week to the United Kingdom.

Her prize was a free return ticket to London on the iconic Emirates A380 aircraft, the benchmark for luxury in commercial aviation. Emirates, which operates 14 services a week from Colombo to Dubai, has 58 Airbus A380 aircraft on order, more than any other carrier by far.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Hilton Colombo

Mother’s Day is a special occasion celebrated around the world. This day gives you an opportunity to do something spectacular for your mum and I’m sure there are zillion reasons for you to do so. If you want to treat her lavishly this Mother’s Day, on May 10, bring her to the Hilton Colombo, an ideal venue for the whole family.

A special Mother’s Day Brunch will be dished out at Spices that won’t disappoint you at all! The buffet will comprise of piping hot soups, fresh salads, luscious seafood, succulent meats, home-made freshly baked breads with herbs or plain, cheeses, hams, fruit and desserts. “It’s a world of desserts. Something you will have to see for yourself,” said the hotel’s Marketing Communications Manager Gigi De Silva. All guests who dine at Spices are entitled to use the pool free of charge! There are over 20 large inflatable floating toys for kids as well as for adults. Another must to try! The bigger kids can use the ‘Play Station 2’ lounge located near the poolside itself. Apart from the above there will be face painting, candy floss as well. This will definitely be a big treat for mum as this is the biggest ‘Family affair’ in town. The Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch is on from 12 noon to 3pm.

Spoons, the hotel’s’ “stylishly casual’ restaurant will also have a sumptuous 4 course ’Mother’s Day’ set menu for dinner. Prior reservations are recommended. Fine Things pastry shop located at the lobby will be packed with gifts ideal for mums including hand-made chocolates, flower arrangements, cakes and much more will be available from May 8 to 10.
For reservations and more details please call the Food & Beverage office on 2437177.

Exhibition by Sarbjit Kaur

Sarbjit Kaur hails from Pune, India. Having moved to Sri Lanka in 2006 she felt inspired to communicate her feelings, experiences and ideas through line and color. Self-taught, she captures and translates the world around her onto canvas and paper using oils, watercolours and acrylic.
Opening: May 12, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Venue: The American Center, 44, Galle Road , Colombo 3

Raigam Tele-Award on May 15

Raigam Tele-Awards 2008 will take to stage at 6:30 p.m. on May 15, 2009 at the BMICH where the stars of small screen will be felicitated for their contribution to teledrama industry. This is the fifth consecutive year the Kingdom of Raigam is honouring those involved in teledramas.
Teledramas telecast in 2008 – daily or weekly, not exceeding 100 episodes – over television channels in Sri Lanka have already been considered for awards.

Omar to attend international conference

Former Mayor of Colombo and the former Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Islam Republic of Iran, Omar Kamil will be participating at the forthcoming Commonwealth Local Government Conference to be held in Bahamas from May 11 to 14 at the invitation from Secretary General of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Carl Wright.

This year’s conference is held on the theme of ‘Improving Local Government: The Commonwealth Vision.’

This conference will be attended by eminent personalities involved in the local government of the

Commonwealth countries, members of the Commonwealth Secretariat and Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Hubert A. Ingraham will make the keynote address under the theme, ‘Making Decentralisation Work in Small States.’

Launching of a book on computer science

A book on Computer Science titled Thorathuru Sithiyamgatha Kirima – ArcView GIS authored by Priyantha Navarathne, Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat was presented to the President on April 27, 2009.

Navarathne, an alumnus of the Bandaranaike Maha Vidyalaya, Gampaha is a Science Graduate of the University of Kelaniya. Having studied Computer Engineering at Arthur C Clarke Centre he currently reads for his masters in science at the University of Peradeniya.

This is the third book authored by him and his first book titled ‘Pariganakaye Noduthu Peththa’ was published in 2004. The launching of his second book namely “VB.NET” took place in 2008.
His later publication referred to above will be of immense benefit to those involved in the computer field as well as to the beginners since it proceeds to set out in clear and simple terms the basics of graphical presentation of data using ArcView GIS software.

Don Bosco donates Cancer Hospital

St. Joseph Vice Province Dri Lanka of the Salesian Fathers and Brothers of Don Bosco Congregation donated Rs.1.5 million worth medicine drugs and injections for the use of children at the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama recently. The boxes containing the medicine was accepted by Cancer Hospital Directoress Dr.( Mrs) S Yoganathan.

Kinder Joy Kids Fun Fair sponsored by Ferrero Lanka Ltd was held recently at the Guruge Nature Park, Ja-ela. Kids who won various competitions received special Kinder Joy Gift Packs.
A child receiving a gift pack from Niranjan Disanayaka, Business Development Manager, Ferrero Lanka Ltd.

Seylan Bakthi Geetha 2009

Seylan Bank has organised a special Bakthi Geetha programme which will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Seylan Bank Head Office, Ceylinco Seylan Towers, No.90, Galle Road, Colombo 03 (Opposite Cinnamon Grand Hotel) at 6:30 p.m. onwards.
As such we have designed a special float which will proceed to the following branches:-
Branch  Time Nugegoda 8:30 p.m. Dehiwala    10p.m. Panadura 11:30 p.m.

Forbes Lane gets a new name

Forbes Lane, Colombo 10 got a new name last April as Immamul Aroos Mawatha. This step was taken as a proposal of Buhari Thakkiya Youth Forum, Maradana. Governor of Western Province, Alavi Moulana and Chief Organiser of Suduweela, Maradana of the UPFA, Kithsiri Rajapaksha were among the invitees

(Pic by Ravindra Dharmathilake)

The first Bodhi Pooja by Sakyamuni Gautama Himself

After attaining Buddhahood, the incomparable Enlightenment
For seven weeks Gautama Buddha himself made a sacrifice eminent
The first week sat under the Bodhi tree in one posture in gratitude
Experiencing the bliss of emancipation in solitude

Throughout the second week Gautama stood gazing at the Bodhi tree
With unblinking eyes extremely difficult, at the Bodhi tree
This offering known as the Animisa Lochana pooja or sacrifice
Obstructions were driven away, in tranquility made to realise

The third week engages in Ruwan Sakmmana in dedication
Fragrance of Dhamma begins to spread, great salutation
For providing shelter for His great struggle, the Emancipation
Demons of defilements failed in their to draw His attention

Not tempted by illusory thoughts He remained unshaken determination
Emerged in concentration, obstructions driven away, deep meditation
For four more weeks in lonely retreat in the vicinity of the Bodhi tree
He spent in four different spots in deep concentration, Samadhi
Ascetic Siddharta acquired the power to recall past births
He obtained the Diving Eye, realized the cycle of births and deaths
Depending on his own unremitting energy unaided by human or Divine
Achieved the highest mental’n intellectual attainments, self realisation of thine

For over 2553 years in the annals of Buddhist history
No other Bodhi pooja is mentioned, unshakable victory
Gautama Buddha reached the acme of purity, perfect sanetity
Sakyamuni Gautama, the Buddha an embodiment of compassion’n wisdom in dignity

He discovered the Four Noble Truths the priceless message
To suffering humanity for their guidance, to rid of bondage
The great serene image, omniscient healer, peerless physician
Greatest of all Gautama Buddha’s firm determination.
Kumari Kumarasinghe Tennakoon