Quick Look

Gurugal Oya scheme begins work

Minister Chamal Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone for the inauguration of stage two of the Gurugul Oya irrigation scheme that is estimated to cost of Rs. 400 million.

Minister Rajapaksa has given instructions to officials to complete the project within three years although it was proposed to be over by 2013.

The construction is to be carried out by the Ministry of Irrigation.

In 1945 a canal was constructed by diverting the Gurugal Oya. Since the canal could not feed a larger acreage the proposed reservoir was planned.

Bus stand for Naula

Sigiriya group corr.

The Urban Development Authority has taken action to build a new bus stand in Naula. The present bus stand doesn’t meet the needs of the public and it looks gloomy.

Boom time for cashew

Sigiriya group corr.

The trainees of the cashew cultivators of the Matale Centre could even work as cultivational consultants when we see the success of the cultivations in the Matale district where a vast acreage in Dambulla, Galewela, Sigiriya and Pallepola has come under cashew, said a spokesman of the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation addressing a training camp at Matale.

Now the Department of Additional Crops plans to boost the work of the Cashew Corporation, selecting new districts for cashew under a five-year plan.

‘Bitter gourd’ farmer has sweet news

Mahaweli Systems corre.

The ‘Govijana Kendraya’ or Agrarian Centre in Patha-Hevaheta has sweet news for local ‘bitter’ gourd, farmers - it has introduced a new bitter gourd variety said to be yielding a better harvest and in a short time.

The farming folk in the Patha-Hevaheta areas of Hevavissa East, Kandevela, Meeruppa, Neelavala and Patha-Mailapitiya have planted this new variety of bitter gourd under the guidance of the ‘Govijana Kendraya’.

It is expected that a total harvest of around 30,000 kilograms would be collected from the crop fields under this variety of bitter gourd, which are maintained as a model.

Patha-Hewvaheta is a territory of the Kandy district, and farmers of the area have a taste for vegetable growing.

Dengue threat in Kandy, suburbs

Mahawelia Systems correspondent

‘Dengue’ Mosquitoes are on the increase in and around Kandy, according to a health official.

A report from the ‘hill capital’ quoted the Director of Central Provincial Health Services as saying that residents in and around the ‘city’ have to be very careful of dengue mosquitoes that have been identified by health experts as carriers of ‘dengue’.

Dr. (Ms.) Shanti Samarasingha has said that ‘an accelerated clean the city campaign has to be implemented in Kandy before its too late.

According to figures shown by Dr. Samarasingha two patients had so far died of ‘dengue’.

One of these two was a Grade 8 pupil of the Hillwood Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy. She was a resident of Katugasthota, off Kandy.

There are records of 74 patients identified as patients suffering from ‘dengue’.

Fertiliser price down

The reduction of the price of fertiliser by the Government from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 2,200 per 50 kilo bag has been a great boon to the vegetable cultivators of the Nuwara Eliya district.

Both large and small-scale cultivators expressed their gratitude to the Government and Minister of Agriculture for the timely gesture.

Buddhist talk

Asoka Devendra will deliver a Public Buddhist talk in English on “Some insight into the rebecoming process” at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday, February 7 at 4.30 p.m. at the Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

Annual sessions

The College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka will be holding the inauguration of the 16th Annual Sessions at the Hotel Ceylon Continental, Colombo 1 on February 6 at 6 p.m. and the Scientific Sessions at the Auditorium of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo 8 on February 7 from 9.00 a.m. onwards.

Krishnamurti talk

A recorded public talk delivered by J. Krishnamurti on “Is there security at all psychologically?” will be replayed at Anula Nursery School, 310, High Level Road, Colombo 6 at 9.45 a.m. on Sunday, February 8.

The event is sponsored by the Krishnamurti Centre, Sri Lanka Inc.

Sharddhanjalee 7th anniversary

The Sinhala National Service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation presents lyric composer poet and a free lance journalist W. K. Sarath Wimalasiri (Bank of Ceylon-Head Office) through Shraddhanjalee Program from 12 noon to 12.45 p.m. on February 9 (Navam Full Moon Poya Day).

This program which commenced in 2002 on Navam Full Moon Poya Day celebrates its 7th anniversary. Under this special seventh year anniversary celebration program all songs that will be broadcast on this day have been composed by Sarath Wimalasiri. He makes an analytical presentation of the songs composed, based on various themes that come in Buddhist Literature.

Service cancelled

The service of ‘Praise and Worship’ conducted every second Sunday at 10.30 a.m. under the umbrella of the Ministry of “Peace for All” at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 will not be held on February 8, Sunday due to the closure of the road. However, this service will next be conducted on Sunday, March 8 at the same time and venue.

Blood donation

The Students’ Union of the Sabaragamuwa University, Belihuloya has organised a blood donation campaign on February 11 from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. within university premises in collaboration with the Blood Bank of the Ratnapura General Hospital as a social responsibility of the campus.

The event will be followed by a Dhamma sermon at 7 pm and all night Pirith ceremony at 9 pm to invoke blessings on the Security Forces.