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Dr. A. R. L. Wijesekera, Chairman, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, has been appointed to the advisory panel of experts of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) headquartered in Vienna.

His nomination is in view of his particular expertise in the field of drug and precursor control. He is the first Sri Lankan to be appointed to this prestigious board. The INCB consists of internationally-renowned experts, and members of the panel are invited to provide technical advice to the board on specific matters of interest, to comment or contribute to documents prepared for the board, and to attend meetings of the board on an ad hoc basis.

Dr. Wijesekera is the former Government Analyst, and also serves as the consultant in narcotics to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

At the AGM of the National Stroke Association held recently Dr. Lalith Wijayaratne, Consultant Rheumatologist, was re-elected as President for the second successive year. (Seated from left) Dr. Padma Gunaratne – Vice President, Dr. Lalith Wijayaratne, Mr. Daya Abeysekera – Secretary, Rienzie T. Wijetilleke – Immediate Past President and Upali de Silva – Treasurer.

The other office bearers for the year 2006 – 2007 are as follows: Patron – Dr. J. B. Peiris, Vice Patron – Dr. Jagath Wijesekera, Vice Presidents – Dr. Padma Gunaratne, Dr. Udaya Ranawake, Tissa Bandaranayake, Secretary –Daya Abeysekera, Asst. Secretary – Rosanna Warnakulasuriya, Treasurer –Upali de Silva, Joint Editors – Dr. Harsha Gunasekera, Dr. M. T. M. Riffsy, Council Members – Dr. Preethi Wijegunawardena, Prema Cooray, Baron de Livera, Dr. Ruwan Ekanayake, Dr. Deepthi Perera, Dr. Ariaranee Gnanathasan, Chuck Wijenathan, Imm. Past President –Rienzie T. Wijetilleke

Janath V. DeSilva, LUTCF, a resident of Uptown, Massachusetts recently qualified as a leading financial professional affiliated with AspenCross Financial Group, an insurance and investment marketing organisation of John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN). Mr. DeSilva was honoured by JHFN, because of his dedication and commitment to meeting the financial protection needs and goals of his clients. As head of the AspenCross Physician’s Services Team, his brief is to assist physicians and medical professionals with retirement, estate and wealth management issues.

In 2005, he became a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an international network of financial professionals.

In recognition of the service rendered by both clergy as well as laity, to promote, foster and protect the interest of Buddhism, and to safeguard the rights and privileges of the Buddhists, the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress organised Sambuddha Jayanthi Bauddhaloka Pranama 2005 recently.

The brainchild of ACBC President Jagath Sumathipala, the ceremony held under two main categories, ‘Upahara’ and ‘Pranama’, saw 83 persons being felicitated. The felicitation ceremony, which is organised as part of the 2550 Buddha Jayanthi celebrations, was held at the BMICH.

Some of the clergy who were honoured under the category of ‘Pranamalabi’ were Ven. Bellanwila Gnanawimala Thero, Ven. Ellawala Medananda Thero, Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thero, Ven. Kotupola Amarakeerthi Thero, Ven. Thantirimale Chandrarathane Thero, Ven. Madulawe Sobitha Thero and many more.

This felicitation ceremony is also a rightful appreciation of service of the Maha Sangha, who have formed the backbone of Buddhist culture, providing leadership at all times, as it had also taken in to consideration the contribution of Mahanayakes to the Buddha Sasana at both local and international levels. The priests who had engaged in social service work, especially in remote areas and the priests who had worked for the betterment of youth were also felicitated at this ceremony.

Other well-known personalities such as Dr. Pandit W. D. Amaradeva, Visharada Nanda Malini, Kalasoori Arisen Ahubudu, Prof. Chandima Wijey Bandara, Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa to name just a few were honoured with ‘Pranama’.
Another significant feature of Sambuddha Jayanthi Bauddhaloka Pranama 2005 was that it not only felicitated individuals who have nurtured the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka, but also a number of organisations which have played a noteworthy role over the years in this context. Several Buddhist media publications such as Sinhala Bauddaya and Budusarana were also recognised for their enormous contribution. The recipients were selected by a panel of judges consisting of prominent figures in the country, headed by a Buddhist priest.