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Sri Lanka Magic Circle to celebrate its centenary in 2022
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle has rendered a great service over the years by nurturing magicians and improving their skills by conducting training workshops and magic contests, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a congratulatory message to mark its centenary celebrations on February 18, 2022.
“Magic, as a performing art, provides young kids with entertaining and interactive ways to learn a range of skills such as public speaking, multi-tasking, precision and adaptability”, the premier said.
As one of the oldest preforming art organizations in Sri Lanka, the centenary will mark a remarkable milestone for the organization, he noted.
Under the leadership of the late Mr Gate Mudaliyar ACGS Amarasekara, the Association of Ceylon Magicians (A.C.M.) was inaugurated on February 18, 1922. Since then, the A.C.M (renamed in 1953 as the Sri Lanka Magic Circle) has come a long way in promoting magic as an art and a hobby in Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister noted.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Sri Lanka Magic Circle on this significant milestone and I wish its current members the courage to inspire young magicians in the years to come”, he added.
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle said it has been recognized as a National Cultural Arts Society by the government.
It referred to the congratulatory message of Prime Minister and Minister of Cultural Affairs, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the patron of the Magic Circle, where he highly appreciated and complimented the efforts of the Sri Lanka Magic Circle, in developing the performing art of magic over the years, and rightly referred to it truly as “one of the oldest cultural performing arts in Sri Lanka”.
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle is gearing itself to celebrate its 100th anniversary on February 18, 2022 with a series of events continuing throughout the centenary year with a “Gala Dazzling Fiesta of Magic’’ with its magicians, including youngsters, amateurs and professional magicians, along with the famous guest artiste “Mr. COOL”, the Swiss magician Hoerbi Kull, a maestro in the field.
A blood donation campaign and a free Eye Clinic for the needy will also be conducted together with a series of free charity magic shows at Homes for Orphans and Children, Elders, Deaf and Dumb, Differently-abled and at Rehabilitation Centres.
While hoping for a Covid-free period in 2022, a three-day Magic Convention has also been planned with local magicians and those joining from the SAARC region. This will give an impetus to boost inter-regional cultural activities and tourism, the Magic Circle said.
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle, website is www.srilankamagic.org and the official building, which was given by the government in the Kalapura zone in 2002, is situated at ‘Vishmithapaya’, 156, Templar’s Road, Mt. Lavinia,
Children and adults interested in joining the exclusive and privileged Sri Lanka Magic Circle and enjoy the special centenary facilities offered by it, may contact Lt. Col. (Rtd) Ronald de Alwis, President Emeritus or Chairman, Sri Lanka Magic Circle Centenary Committee on 0723399874. Email magicana@sltnet.lk for inquiries.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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