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Christian Affairs Minister

Interior Minister John Amaratunga will be sworn in today as Minister of Christian Affairs in addition to his present portfolio before President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Tree planting campaign in Western Province

A tree planting campaign will be conducted in the Western Province on the instructions of Western Provincial Council Chief Minister Reginald Cooray.

The Provincial Road Development Authority is organising this campaign.

Trees will be planted on either side of roads under the Provincial Council and lands belonging to the Western Provincial Council.

The campaign will be conducted under the direction of the area's executive engineer.

The project has to be implemented without damaging or obstructing drainage systems. Water supply, electricity and telephone lines.

The Road Development Authority has also been directed to grow flower plants to beautify the area.

Library is a must for a school - Dr. Richard Pathirana

When I was the Minister of Education and Higher Education in the last PA government, I managed to open 2,000 libraries in 2,000 schools in the island. A library is a 'must' for a school. The library opened today at Sangamitta Balika Maha Vidyalaya is a boon to 5,000 students who are studying there. Though I am a opposition member I will give my full support to the UNF Government, for all the good work they are doing for the benefit of the country, said Galle district MP Dr. Richard Pathirana (PA).

He said so at a meeting held at Sangamitta Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Galle after opening the new library there.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Public Administration, Management and Reforms Vajira Abeywardene.

MP Dr. Richard Pathirana also proposed to name this library, in the name of late Prime Minister Dr. W. Dahanayake, who was a veteran politician from the South.

Minister of Public Administration, Management and Reforms Vajira Abeywardene said that he has already made arrangements to give exercise books to all students in Galle district from 2003. For this project I have to spend Rs. 3.5 million, the Minister said.

Principal, Sangamitta BMV Mrs. K. Mallika Dharmalatha delivered the welcome speech.

Minister Vajira Abeywardene and MP Dr. Richard Pathirana distributed the prizes and certificates to the winners of the school's sports meet.

Mayor of Galle, Lionel Premasiri, Mrs. Pushpa Wellappuli, Additional Secretary, Presidential Secretariat, N. Karunadasa, Asst. Director of Education, Galle, Miss Malini Jayasinghe, Librarian and Mrs. Namal Abeywardene also participated.

Project to conserve Suduganga

A project to conserve the river-side of Suduganga in Matale is under way.

Joint Committees on Environment and the Matale District Environment Committee have introduced the action plan. The Committee say the edges of the river banks are to be protected by growing grass; and erecting constructions to prevent eroison.

Further concern has been focussed over the cleanliness of the river. Directing industrial waste, and diversion of waste water drainage into the river is also being looked into.

Ashoka Bandara Hindagoda of Matale Environment Committee said a massive awareness programme is to be carried out. He said such a programme had been conducted at the Town Hall Matale. It was addressed by Professor Sarath Kotagama, an eminent Environmentalist. The Director of the Sithumina Environmental Project said "Suduganga" is a very important river through which the Mahaweli Waters are diverted into the North. If this river gets polluted more than half of the nation has to meet with serious consequences. The Suduganga Project can be considered a National Campaign for Sustainable Development.

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