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Minister to open Sri Palee library building

The new library building constructed at Sri Palee College Horana will be ceremonially opened by Minister of School Education Suranimala Rajapakse on the invitation of Kalutara District MP P. D. Abeyratne.

In addition to the opening ceremony an exhibition on the "History of Raigam Pura and Horana" will be held at the school premises on August 6, 7, 8. The exhibition is organised with the help of the National Archives Department.

JICA AA speech contest

The JICA Alumni Association of Sri Lanka has organised a speech contest (English medium) among schoolchildren of schools in the Colombo Educational Zone, to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Japan on the theme "Japanese contribution towards Sri Lankan economy".

The winners will receive cash prizes, trophies and certificates, whilst the schools that the winners represent will also receive cash prizes. All participants will receive certificates and trophies.

The Minister of Tertiary Education and Vocational Training Kabir Hashim will be the chief guest whilst the Ambassador for Japan Seiichiro Otsuka will be the guest of honour at the finals and distribution of prizes to be held on August 10 at the auditorium of the Sasakawa Memorial Cultural Centre, Colombo 3.

Ratnapura LRC directed to investigate land issue

The Minister of Defence and Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation Tilak Marapana directed the Ratnapura Land Reform Commission to apply for and obtain an injunction order from court against the construction of buildings of any type, on the 34 blocks of land distributed by the former government among the supposed recipients for starting self-employment projects, till the completion of a full-scale investigation, when it was revealed, at the DCC Committee held recently by a Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Siripala Kiriella that the said blocks of land had been sold to various big-time private entrepreneurs who had already started building on the lands.

It was also revealed that the 34 blocks in the heart of the Idangoda had been alienated at rupees one per perch, by the former government, exclusively for the use of the recipient self-employees.

When Minister Marapana questioned, assistant staff officer of the LRC, K. A. Pushpalatha who was present at the meeting, under what policy the land distribution was made, she had said that the former government held a land kachcheri and distributed the lands among those whose monthly income was under Rs. 5000 at the rate of Rs. 75,000 per acre, on a lease-hold.

The official further said that the income of the recipients had been duly certified by the Grama Niladari.

Fund for development projects in Kegalle district

The Ministry of North-West Development has allocated a fund of rupees 141 million for development projects in Kegalle district.

Minister of North-West Development Jayatilaka Podinilame says that his ministry has already commenced forty of these projects.

Meanwhile the ministry sources say another fifteen development projects will be commenced shortly.

The Minister says that these projects are mainly aimed on repairing rural roads which are in poor condition throughout the district.

Even the buses on these routes have halted their services due to these badly-maintained roads.

Minister Jayatilaka Podinilame was revealing these facts at the District Development Committee meeting held at the Kegalle kachcheri recently.

We want water, say residents

Nearly five hundred men and women went on a protest campaign in Badulla demanding drinking water facilities.

Secretary of the community organisation R. Manatunga told the 'Daily News' their drinking water project has been stopped half way without any people's consultations. Provincial Director W. A. Jayawickrama said the cost of the project had been rupees 890 lakhs, whereas we have received only rupees 515 lakhs.

The balance payment is not in our budget to the year 2002. As a result all construction work. had to slow down or to stop. Partners Manager S. Yapa said 13, 299 beneficiary families are badly affected due to this sudden decision taken by the Colombo Project office. If people could not complete all projects public funds of rupees 515 lakhs go waste. Therefore authorities should have a full inquiry into the project.

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