News
Indonesian Ambassador lauds SL’s first ever visually handicapped band
Sri Lanka’s first ever western music pop outfit comprising the visually handicapped ‘Bright Light’ was launched last Saturday at a simple ceremony at the MJF Foundation auditorium under the auspices of the Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing.
The 12-member band is being trained by Melantha Perera, well known, versatile musician, music teacher and leader of the band ‘Black Jackets.’
Ambassador Tobing addressing the gathering said that she was highly impressed with the immense talent on display and the performance of the young musicians. The young musicians should go a long way as a well knitted band, if they are well nurtured, she said.
She assured all support and encouragement for the young music outfit and invited the band to perform at one of the Indonesian Embassy organized event end of June promising to encourage the group to
play the popular Indonesian traditional bamboo instrument ‘Anglung.’ and provide all assistance in that regard and present the band with some of those instruments.
Melantha said that during the pandemic he conducted free online lessons to these young men and women and later trained them at the MJF Foundation.
‘They are immensely talented and what they need is proper guidance and training and I am happy to see that my efforts are bearing fruit, and soon they will perform as a commercial band, he said.
The event was was made possible by the MJF Centre for Community Community Service and Nihal Jayasuriya, President Sri Lanka Indonesia Frienship Association, Ms Felicia Sallay and Samath Fernando.
By Harischandra Gunaratna
Members of ‘Bright Light’ the music makers: Samudra Gamage Dinesh Premakumara Randi Prarthana Theekshana Rasindu Ravichandran Jonathan Sandun Kalhara Akila Dilshan Rashini Sneha Chathruka Nipun Tharindu Lakshan Susum Navoda and Sethani Madugalle
Indonesian Ambassador Tobing performing to the music of ‘Bright Lights’
By Harishchandra Gunaratna
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
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