Quick Look

Packing snag for vegetables

Matale district group correspondent

Due to the lack of a proper packing system, a large quantity of vegetables have to be discarded daily at the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre.

The management officials said more than 1,000 metric tons of vegetables are transported here daily by the farmers without any proper packing. As a result over 10 metric tons have to be discarded per day. The trustee of this centre said that the farmers are facing a frequent loss because of these conditions.

The farmers should be educated regarding the packing of their vegetables suitable for the market, otherwise the farmers will not be able to obtain a reasonable profit from their cultivations.

Therefore the trustee of this centre has taken action to launch an educational training program regarding vegetable packaging.

Water projects nearing completion

The second community water supply and hygienic project, funded by the World Bank is underway in the Pasbage Korale Divisional Secretariat area in the Nawalapitiya electorate.

This project will provide water to the villages of Dekinda, Wewegama, Aluthgama and Mapakanda.

The other water supply project to Pallegama, Tilton Pathunupitiya, Dandubendiruppa, Balantota North and South villages are nearing completion. It costs Rs. 3.8 million. Five percent of it would be borne by the Pasbage Korale Pradeshiya Sabha.

Bodhi Pooja

A Bodhi Pooja will be held at Siri Jinaratanarama Vihara, Udahamulla today at 6.30 p.m. to invoke blessings on the war heroes and all people of Sri Lanka.

Vidyodaya and J’Pura University Writers’ book exhibition

The Sinhala and Mass Communication Society of Sri Jayewardenepura University in association with Godage Publishers has organized an exhibition of books written by writers who obtained their first degree from Vidyodaya-Sri Jayewardenepura University and also by the present Undergraduates.

Books can be delivered by hand or by registered post to Senior Professor Sunil Ariyaratne of the Sinhala Department before March 15, 2009.

The exhibition will be held from March 17-20 at the premises of Sumangala Hall. The society assures the safe return of books after the exhibition. Any further information could be obtained on telephone 07222 48447.

Teenager drowns in Mahaweli Ganga

A teenager S. Gajan (16) was drowned in the Mahaweli Ganga at Selam Bridge when he went for a bath.

The deceased was a resident of Jayasundara Lane, Nawalapaitiya and had come there from Vavuniya.

A very severe drought is prevailing here for the past two months and the Mahaweli Ganga is almost dried up. There is scarcely water for people to bathe, and Gajan has gone in search of a deeper place. Unfortunately there has been a sand dune and when he treaded on it, he had been carried away by the sifting sand.

Inquirer into Sudden Deaths, Pasbage Korale Miss Mallika Hewarathna held the inquest at the Nawalapitiya General Hospital Police Post and recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Nawalapitiya Police led evidence.