Dr. Sumathipala invited for Intl. conference

Dr. Athula Sumathipala, Director of the Forum for Research & Development, is one of 30 invitees at a major conference on somatic presentation of mental disorders, to be held in Beijing, China from September 6 - 8.

The conference has been organized by the American Psychiatric Association in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health, US.

Dr. Sumathipala has been identified by the organizers as one of 30 key scientific leaders in the global research community in the field of medically unexplained symptoms and this invitation is a recognition of his pioneering research including the only two treatment trials done in the developing world for medically unexplained symptoms using a psychological intervention.

Dr. Sumathipala is also one of the 10 key speakers invited to the meeting. His presentation is titled 'What is the evidence for treatments for somatoform disorders?'

Ikebana annual festival of flowers

'Celebrations', the Shi-en Ikebana and Floral Art Society's annual festival of flowers will be held today, September 3 at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand from 11 a.m. onwards

Book launch by Prof. Karunadasa

Dr. W.M.Karunadasa, Professor of International Relations, University of Colombo will launch his most recent publication "International Law of Human Rights" (written in Sinhala) on September 6 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute at 4.15 p.m.

Prof. Karunadasa will introduce his book to the audience while President Mahinda Rajapakse to whom the book is dedicated is expected to address the gathering via satellite.

Seminar on the role of media and unity

The Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity (BMCNU) will bring together leading media personalities, journalists and intellectuals to discuss "Media's Role in Building Sri Lankan Unity" at a two-day seminar to be held at the Berberyn Beach Resort, Weligama on September 9 and 10.

The panel of experts at the seminar include: Prof. Anura Wickremasinghe, Dr. Chandrasiri Rajapaksha, Dr. Tudor Weerasinghe, Dr. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa and Dr. Ariyasena Athugala.

Seminar on ethics and the media

A seminar on ethics and the media will be held on September 5 at 5 p.m. in the Diocesan Chambers, Anglican Cathedral Premises, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

There will be brief presentations on: Media Ethics and Social Responsibilty by Manique Mendis (Former Chief Executive, Press Complaints Commission), Responsible Reporting on Television by Sharmini Boyle (Chief Editor, Young Asia Television), The Role of Independent Media by Waruna Karunatillake, Free Media Movement and The Press Complaints Commission by S. Dammulla (Consultant, Press Complaints Commission). An open discussion will follow. All are welcome.

Batch get-together of 1978 Law Group

The first ever batch get- together of the 1978 - Law College Group has been organized to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the "1978 Batch". It will be held at the Ceylon Continental Hotel on September 23 from 7.30 p.m. onwards. For more information, please contact Deepthi Kumarasinghe on 0773082299.