Daily NEWS Srilanka

Taylor Swift’s fans have done it again, voting her the American Music Awards Artist of the Year for a third time. Swift won yesterday night’s top honor, giving her a leading four trophies. Justin Timberlake was next with three.

Swift didn’t perform, but she was a constant presence on stage and the camera alighted on her as she danced to stars like Kendrick Lamar and Luke Bryan. The 23-year-old pop star also won Country Album of the Year for Red and Favourite Female Country and Pop/rock Artist.

One Direction and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis won two awards and Rihanna was given the AMA’s first Icon Award to go with her win as favourite soul/R&B Female Artist.

Darren Sammy produced a game-changing unbeaten 63 under pressure as West Indies pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win in the second ODI against India to level the three-match series 1-1, in Visakhapatnam.

India had put on a challenging 288 for seven. Kieran Powell and Darren Bravo came up with a 100-run partnership to help West Indies recover from 23 for 2 before Sammy led the chase with an unbeaten 63 from 45 balls studded with four fours and four sixes.

Sammy joined Lendl Simmons when West Indies had lost five wickets for 187 runs and they created a match winning crucial 82 run partnership which helped the Caribbean side score its first win since their arrival to India.

New Zealand completed the first perfect year of the professional era when they came from 19 points down to beat Ireland 24-22 thanks to a stoppage-time try in front of a heartbroken Dublin crowd.

The Irish had stormed into a 22-7 halftime lead but they failed to score a point in the second half and a missed penalty by Johnny Sexton, cost them their first ever victory over the All Blacks. Ryan Crotty’s try as fair and then Aaron Cruden’s conversion ended Irish hopes of a first victory over New Zealand in 108 years as the All Blacks sealed their perfect year in the most dramatic of fashions.

A number of religious programmes have been held in Anuradhapura to invoke blessings on the country and the President who celebrated his birthday, assumed office as President and the Commonwealth Chair.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid homage to the historic Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura last evening. He also called on the Chief Incumbent of the Atamastana Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera. The President inaugurated the living quarters of the Sangha built in the Maha Vihare premises. A special Bodhi Pooja was held near the Sri Maha Bodhi to invoke blessings on the President and the country. The programme was organised by the staff of the Presidential Secretariat. Meanwhile an overnight Pirith chanting ceremony was held last night near the Ruwanweli Seya to invoke blessings on the country and the President. It was organised under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the Atamastana Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera and the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Seya Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Thera. The President also participated in offering alms to the Maha Sangha near the Ruwanweli Seya this morning. The mid-day almsgiving was held at the Sannipatha hall near the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Alms were offered to more than 1200 Bhikkus. Special Anusasanas were delivered by the Chief Incumbent of the Lankarama in Anuradhapura and the Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake of the north-central province Ven. Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Thera and Agga Maha Panditha Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera.

First Lady Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa, Ministers S.M. Chandrasena and Duminda Dissanayake, Governor of the North –central Province Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister of the Province S.M. Ranjith, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and Chief of Presidential Staff Gamini Senarath also participated in the occasion

The President marked the inauguration of the leadership training programme aimed at creating a generation of youths with a positive outlook.

The inaugural ceremony of the leadership training programme for the university entrants meant for the development of positive attitudes was held under the patronage of the President. Twenty five thousand students will undergo training in three stages. The duration of training programme is three weeks. Awareness is created in the new university entrants about the difference between the Advance Level education and the university studies, global tendencies, the socio-economic features in the country, vision of Sri Lanka and its future path. Their attention is also drawn towards creating a strategic life plan. Addressing the gathering Minister S.B. Dissanayake stated that special focus is made on developing the personality, leadership qualities and team spirit in the students. The Minister said that the programme brings about a transformation in the students. They leave with the view that something new was added to their lives. He said that new engineering, management, and medical faculties will be set up and the facilities in the universities will be improved. New courses will also be introduced. The students who look above the horizon with a global demand are being created through higher education.

The students will be presented with a recognized certificate following the training programme. Speaking at the function held at the Artillery Training School in Minneriya Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake stated that the leadership training is being provided by the members of a an Army that set a world record by defeating terrorism. They have the confidence, skill and the training to carryout the task. He called on the students to be confident as they will take over the future of the country.

The students also expressed views about creating a generation of youths with emotional intelligence.

One student stated that the programme transformed his life and he also made friends in other universities due to the programe.

Ministers and Parliamentarians including Deputy Ministers Nandimitra Ekanayake, Siripala Gamlath, Chandrasiri Suriyaarachchi, and government officials were amongst those who participated in the programme.

One individual is making decisions on behalf of the TNA. A member of the TNA says that it was a big mistake to boycott the CHOGM.

The leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front V. Anandasangaree has alleged that although he remains in the TNA there is dissention amongst its leaders. Addressing a media briefing held at Kilinochchi yesterday he stated that making decisions by one person is a serious situation. He said that the TNA should respect the law. He pointed out that acting outside the parameters of the law could make people withdraw their support. He pointed out that one day the law will prevail. He stressed that boycotting the CHOGM and acting outside the law would adversely affect the Tamil people.

The budget proposals for the development in the veterinary sector have been hailed by the veterinary surgeons.

Making the country self sufficient in milk, development of poultry farms, and the grant of a monthly allowance of 7500 rupees for the veterinary surgeons are amongst the budget proposals. While presenting the budget the President stated that that the import of quality dairy cattle has provided 40 percent of the milk requirement in the country. The production at the dairy farms has increased. Due to the fast development in the sector veterinary surgeons are being recruited. He said that 200 million rupees has been allocated for the development of modern facilities and recruitment of the Vets.

Veterinary Surgeon in Galle S.H.S. Rajasinghe expressed his gratitude for the evaluation of their service.

Veterinary surgeon in Akmeemana Ms. W.H.N. Abeywickrama stated that are playing an active role in the production of milk. She also expressed her gratitude for fulfilling the shortage of vehicles in the department.

Veterinary surgeon in Kahawatta E.D.M. Lasantha stated that they had been making several demands from the past governments although only the current government granted their demands in addition to evaluating their service.