Fifty Five International Political Observers Began Their Observations Prior To The Presidential Elections

The 55 member International Political Observers Panel has commenced their island wide observations  today(06) from Northern Province.The Panel members have visited Northern Province this morning and meet government agents there to get an idea of the situation in the area prior to the Presidential Elections scheduled to be held on this Thursday(08).

These Political Observers are due to present at the polling booths as well during this Thursday's elections.Around 15 million people eligible to vote in this election.

All Election Rallies In Connection With Presidential Elections To Be Concluded Tonight

All election rallies organized in connection with  the forthcoming presidential elections are due to be concluded at 12 midnight tonight according to the elections commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya.According to the election rules here all political rallies related to an election conducting by political parties should  be concluded 48 hours prior to the election.

After midnight tonight campaigning for the presidential elections scheduled to be held on 08th of January (Thursday) should be illegal the elections commissioner has announced.

From 17 political parties and two independent groups 19 candidates are contesting for this year's presidential elections.The two main candidates president Mahinda Rajapaksha and common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena are to be participated their final election rallies scheduled to be held in Kesbawa and Maradana cities in Colombo District  respectively tonight.

THOUGHT FOR YOUR DAILY LIFE (SOURCE-INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES SITE)

Issuing Of Temporary Identity Cards To The Displaced Persons For Voting Extended Till 05th Of January

The Issuing of Temporary Identity Cards only for voting in forthcoming presidential elections  to the displaced persons in areas affected from Land Slides and Floods has been extended till this Monday(05) according to the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya.

This measure has been taken to secure the voting right of the displaced people in several provinces including North Central,Uva and Eastern.

Sri Lanka To Reinstate Dual Citizenship For Their Residents

The granting of dual citizenship which has been suspended temporarily in end of 2011 is to be implemented with effect from today(01) the Information Department has announced. Unlike in previous occasion where a five year permanent residency visa has been granted before granting the dual citizenship the Cabinet has decided to grant dual citizenship straightaway for  every Sri Lankan who are living in abroad and requesting such status the department has said.

Under the new scheme of granting dual citizenship in the country an interviews will be conducted for those requesting the citizenship .Earlier no interviews have been conducted when selecting applicants for dual citizenship.

The government has said that the appeals made by more and more Sri Lankans  lives in abroad make government to reinstate the dual citizenship scheme.

THE THOUGHT OF THE DAY TO YOUR LIFE FROM BUDDHISM (SOURCE-BUDDHANET SITE)

In the beginning, Prince Siddhartha lived in luxury and wealth in his father's palace. After he renounced his privileged life and became a wandering monk, he experienced the hardship and difficulty of a life with nothing. He spent years torturing his mind with hard thoughts and solitude and starved his body, enjoyed no comforts and suffered all the experiences of a life without belongings.

 Not long before he achieved his insights and attained enlightenment, he realized both these extreme ways of life were as fruitless as each other. He realized that the true way to happiness was to avoid these extremes, to follow a moderate a way of life. He called this way of living the Middle Path.

Buddhists describe the three ways of life by comparing them to strings of a lute. The loose string is like a life of careless indulgence and makes a poor note when played. The tight string is like a life of extreme hardship and denial, producing another bad sound when played and, worse, likely to snap at any moment. Only the middle string, which is neither slack nor tense, produces a harmonious note — it has the same qualities as the Middle Path. Those who follow this way, avoid the extremes of indulgence and denial. They do not seek endless pleasures, and they do not torment themselves with pain, lacking and self-torment. The Fourth Noble Truth is that the Middle Path leads to the end of suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path
The Middle Path is the Buddha's treatment for the problem of suffering in all of our lives. In the time he spent learning about the cause and nature of suffering he learnt also about its cure and set out to teach it. Buddhists describe the teachings as a formula which is described in simple steps and includes both physical and mental treatment for ridding a person of suffering. Like all Buddhist teachings, this formula, which is called the Noble Eightfold Path, can only work if a person chooses to apply it to their lives, and takes full responsibility for following the steps.

The Steps Of The Eightfold Path

1. Right Understanding
To understand the Law of Cause and Effect and the Four Noble Truths.
2. Right Attitude
Not harbouring thoughts of greed and anger.
3. Right Speech
Avoid lying, gossip, harsh speech and tale-telling.
4. Right Action
Not to destroy any life, not to steal or commit adultery.
5. Right Livelihood
Avoiding occupations that bring harm to oneself and others.
6. Right Effort
Earnestly doing one's best in the right direction.
7. Right Mindfulness
Always being aware and attentive.
8. Right Concentration
To making the mind steady and calm in order to realise the true nature of things.

Hospital Services Have Been Paralyzed Island Wide Due To The Strike Of 14 Health Catagories

The Hospital Services and Some Services in Health Sector have been paralyzed today(30) due to the Island Wide strike action launched by Health Professionals belongs to 14 categories.

Services in Government Hospitals like Issuing of Drugs from OPD Dispensaries,Radiography Tests,Laboratory Tests ,Patient Care Services and Physiotherapy Treatment as well as the Health Sector Services have been paralyzed due to this strike and hundreds and thousands of patients islandwide have faced enormous difficulties as a  result hospital sources revealed.

The services of entomology assistant officers as well as of  public health inspectors too have been paralyzed due to the strike according to Joint Front Of Nurses-Professions Supplementary To Medicine And Paramedicals has said.

The striking professions have demanded a Rs.15,000 on call allowance for them which has already  paid to the government doctors with their salaries this month.

The on going strike of health professions is due to be suspended by  tomorrow(31) morning and schedule to  recommence it  from this friday(02) if the authorities  fails to fulfill their demand the joint front has stated.