Traditional Sinhalese And Hindu New Year Falls To Day (13th)

The traditional Sinhalese and Hindu New Year falls today (13th).The new year marks the moving of Sun to the house of Aries (Mesha) from the house of Pisces (Meena).According to Sinhalese Calender this new year day also marks the end of Harvest and Spring and this season calls as Bak Season.

The new year will be dawn at the auspicious time of 7.20 p.m today while lighting of hearth is  at 7.42 pm .The auspicious time for exchange of money and gifts and per taking meals including traditional Milk Rice and sweet meets is at 10.28 p.m.Afterwards the worshiping of elders with traditional Betel Leaves and exchanging of meals among neighbors will take place.

After today the  oil anointing ceremony which is a part of the traditional Sinhalese New Year will take place  on 15th of April (Sunday). The final part of  New Year the leaving for  work falls on 16th of April (Monday).

Sinhalese and Tamil New Year Day and day prior to New Year are public,bank and mercantile  holidays in Sri Lanka. It is generally celebrated on 13th or 14th April every year while this year it falls on 13th of April.The timing of the Sinhalese New Year coincides with the new year celebrations of many traditional  calendars of South and Southeast Asia. The festival has close semblance to the Tamil New year Thai New year, Bengali New Year, and Oriya New Year festival in India.

"WISHING YOU ALL A  HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS SINHALESE AND HINDU NEW YEAR  2012"

Negambo Fishermen Stayed Away From Sea Today

Lack of preparedness followed by  Tsunami Warning issued yesterday, caused the  majority of  fishermen in Negambo area to avoid of going  fishing today (12th) it has been reported.After Tsunami warning was issued yesterday evening these fishermen have taken their fishing boats and equipment's to safer areas in view of protecting them according to these fishermen.


However the Meteorological Department has issued a special  warning for fishermen yesterday by requesting them to avoid on going fishing even the tsunami warning has lifted.

Tsunami Fear Which Halted Life In The Country For Awhile

!Massive Earthquake and after shocks in Sumatra Islands


!Tsunami Warning has Issued 


! Transport System in Coastal Belt suspended


!Heavy Traffic Reported in main roads


! Southern Express Way has opened free of charge for all 
public and private vehicles


! People in coastal areas rushed to Highlands


! Tense Situation among public in Coastal Areas


As a  massive earthquake measured as 8.6 in Richter Scale was struck Sumatra Islands this eve a tense situation was occurred among public in many parts of the Island Soon after Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka has issued Tsunami Warning which has also applied to 25 other countries in the region as well.


After the massive earth quake Sri Lankan Met Department has expected a Tsunami will struck the island around 4 p.m Sri Lankan Time.Although it didn't happened as expected an equally powerful after shock measured as 8.6 in Richter Scale was reported from Sumatra three hours after the  major earthquake strucked.However no casualties have been reported.Some tremors have been reported in several parts of the island as well.


Meanwhile People lives in coastal areas of North,East,Western and Southern areas were advised to rush in to safe areas in highlands as a precautionary measure.As Tsunami Warning has issued, people lives in coastal belt areas have seen running with their children to safer areas.Almost all vehicles  were fully occupied as people who came to work in cities from coastal areas trying to reach their homes as early as possible.As a precautionary measure authorities suspended the Train Services in Coastal areas which has resulted a heavy traffic among other public and private vehicles.

Government has allowed to use southern express way free of charge for commuters following the Tsunami warning and ordered all medical staff attached to hospitals in Coastal areas who are in leave to report to their workplaces as soon as possible.

People in Coastal Areas were advised to stay  in alert on the situation till the warning have been lifted .Also authorities urged the Hotel Owners in coastal belt to ensure the safety of foreigners who are staying in these hotels.

However after awaiting several hours around 6.30 p.m local time the Met Department has announced the lifting of Tsunami Warning from Sri Lanka while urging people who fled to return their homes  without any fear.

JVP Dissident Rebel Leader Kumar Gunarathnam Deported To Australia

The leader of the breakaway faction of leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) Premakumar Gunarathnam alias Noel Mudalige who was reported as missing since last few days was deported to his native country Australia early this morning due to violating immigration laws according to Police Sources.

Gunarathnam who is also an Australian Citizen was overstaying in Sri Lanka illegally for more then five months sources have further added.Gunarathnam along with another party activist Dimuthu Atygalla too reported as abducted by an unknown gang on last Saturday and Friday respectively.

Government Hospital PSM's Threatening To Launch TU Action After 19th Of April

The Government Hospital Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM's)have decided to launch an island wide continuous work to rule campaign and sick note campaign  after 19th of April demanding solutions for three of their service demands according to Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine .


The Executive Committee of the Joint Council which  met yesterday (09) has decided to launch this series of trade union actions after 19th the Council sources said.


The continuous island wide strike launched by Government Hospital Professions Supplementary To Medicine demanding solutions for 10 service demands on 13th of March  was forced to suspend on 22nd of March following the enjoining order issued by Colombo District Court.

Finance Ministry Began Probe On Alleged Rs.I Billion Financial Fraud Occurred During Purchasing Surgical Gloves

The Ministry Of Finance has conducting an investigations on the alleged Rs. 1 billion financial fraud occurred during local purchasing of Surgical Gloves to Government Hospitals last year (2011) the ministry sources said today (09).

According to sources the Finance Ministry has began  inquiring on the amount of surgical gloves Hospitals bought last year and the  money they spent on that .

Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Called Off Their Scheduled Strike

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association has called off their planned two day  strike scheduled on today (09) and tomorrow(10) after the authorities have agreed to increase their fee rates as requested  the association has announced.


During the discussion held between   Petroleum Minister and Private Bowser Owners Association yesterday the minister has agreed to met their demand.