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PM to address Nation

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will make a special address to the Nation on the state of the economy of the country from Kandy on March 12.

This day will also see the acceptance of UNP membership by Ministers Prof. G. L. Peiris, S. B. Dissanayake, Mahinda Wijesekera and Bandula Gunawardena.

17 Indian fishermen injured in sea clash

Seventeen Indian fishermen were injured following a clash between a group of Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen in the Pesale sea, Mannar Police said yesterday.

The injured fishermen were later admitted to Mannar Hospital.

According to Police, the clash took place at around 7.00pm on Monday when a group of Indian fishermen reportedly strayed into Sri Lankan territorial waters, close to Pesale. The Sri Lankan fishermen had also taken nineteen Indian fishing trawlers into their custody alongwith 58 fishermen.

Police celebrate duty regulations

Sri Lanka Police has taken steps to solemnize the 'Oath of Honour' and 'Code of Ethics' laid down to all officers for the proper discharge of their duties in all parts of the country on March 8.

Management Development and Police Welfare DIG Sarath Kombalavithana said that the ceremony will be held at the Police Grounds, Bambalapitiya at 8 a.m. under the patronage of Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC.

These arrangements had been made on the direction of IGP T.E. Anandarajah.

Handicraft centres facing closure

Two handicraft centres established by late president Premadasa in Sabaragamuwa and Molagoda areas are facing closure due to poor income earned during the past few years. These two centres were a big boon to the handicraft industry in the area as they initially earned a good market especially among the tourists.

Following a reduction in the tourist arrivals in the PA advent there was a gradual decline in the income earned and they struggled to make payments to employees. The Treasury has been providing Rs. 600,000 to each centre, managed by Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council which has failed to make a profit.

As it is a tremendous loss for the government, the centres will be closed down shortly. However the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Authorities intend to launch an alternative program to safeguard the handicraft industry in the district.

Janasuvaya Rural Banking Unions

Deputy Minister of Health Sajith Premadasa under his "Janasuvaya" Welfare Program, has taken measures to set-up "Janasuvaya" Rural Self Banking unions throughout the Hambantota district is to enhance the economic condition of the rural masses of the district. Under this steps have been taken to inaugurate "Janasuvaya" Banking unions covering 576 GN divisions in the district.

Already Janasuvaya Rural Self Banking Unions have been set-up in Tissamaharamaya, Kavantissapura, and Katuwana areas. As an initial deposit Deputy Minister Sajith Premadasa will deposit Rs. 10,000 each in every "Janasuvaya" Rural Self Banking Union from his personal funds. The sole aim of this program is to provide loans to initiate self employment ventures in the rural areas of the Hambantota district.

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