News in brief

CM gives 25 families a new life

B. W. EHELIYAGODA, Kegalle special correspondent

KEGALLE: Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Chief Minister Maheepala Herath has embarked on a programme to rehabilitate 25 needy families in Rambukkana area.

These 25 families, were living at “Roside Estate” in Rambukkana in Kegalle facing much hardships. Chief Minister Herath with the assistance of the National Housing Development Authority made arrangements for better living conditions.

The children have not attended school and Chief Minister Herath has suggested to renovate an abandoned school building nearby and utilise it. Pohoramba Vidyalaya, (an abandoned village school) will be opened for the Children’s schooling.

The 25 families number about 200 persons.

A number of families living in the locality have consented to supply food for these families along with household requirements.

New town project in Hatharaliyadda

COLOMBO: Enterprise development and Investment Promotion Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama has taken action to construct a new town at Hatharaliyadda.

Work on the new town named T.B. Illangaratne Town in honour of the late Minister has begun.

This will be an integrated town with a leading school, a library, a post office, hospital, a shopping complex, a conference hall, playground and a vocational training centre.

This town is a completely new urban development project. Dr. Amunugama held discussions on the development of the new town with Urban development and Sacred Areas Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Dr. Amunugama addressing officials at the Divisional Secretariat at Hatharaliyadda, said people in this locality will benefit through this integrated urban development project.

Wana Senasuna launched

COLOMBO: A programme titled Wana Senasuna has been launched by the Forest Conservation Department to streamline and uplift Aranya (Forest hermitage)

Under this programme Bhikkhus residing in forest hermitages (Aranya Senasana) would be given a permit with legal responsibility to protect nature including fauna and flora and archaeological sites, the Government Information Department said.

Permits were issued to 40 forest hermitages covering 13 districts at a ceremony at the Central Environmental Authority yesterday presided by Ven. Puravidya Chakravarti Ellawala Medhananda Thera and Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka.