News

Sri Lanka Magic Circle to celebrate its centenary in 2022

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/1

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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News

Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/7

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.

News

‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban

Published

14 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

Premalal

By Norman Palihawadane

The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.

The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.

The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.

The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.

The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.

Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.

Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.

The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.

The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.

The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.

During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.

The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.

President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.

Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.

Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.

News

Dengue death toll rises to 73

Published

14 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.

The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.

Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.

Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.

The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.