Quick Look

Database for Grama Niladaris established

Shirley WIJESINGHE

A database system containing details of Grama Niladaris islandwide was established on Wednesday with financial assistance from the International Organization for Migration(IOM ).

The database will be useful to regularize the islandwide Grama Niladari network including 14,000 Grama Niladaris and in detecting irregularities and malpractices in the submission of fake and forged documents by people for various official, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said at the special media conference held at the Ministry.

Linking this database with other public service oriented departments such as Immigration and Emigration, Register General Department and Person Registration Department it will confirm the accuracy of the certificates which are produced for the specific requirements, Amunugama added. The Minister said that the Government is keen to adopt IT into the public service in order to better facilitate it.

Declare assets, liabilities candidates told

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake in a media release yesterday said all candidates who contest the Southern Provincial Council election should declare their assets and liabilities at the time of handing over their nominations to the respective returning officers.

This is in terms of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 29 of 1985 and No.74 of 1988. Those who are unable to declare their assets and liabilities at the time of handing over nominations should do so before they serve or sit in the Council.

Unsuccessful candidates should submit the declaration within three months of the date of nomination.

Over hundred IDP families resettled

Lakshmi DE SILVA

Another batch of 106 IDP families in Vavuniya were resettled last week in the northern parts of Vavuniya, Vavuniya District Secretary P. S. M. Charles told the Daily News yesterday.

She said infrastructure, irrigation, reservoirs and schools in those villages were rehabilitated and landmines were cleared before they were resettled.

Relief material including dry rations, clothing, kitchen utencils, agricultural implements and seeds were provided to each family to restart their livelihoods. The Government would also provide each family with a grant of Rs. 25,000 to repair their houses, she noted.

Completed fishery harbours to benefit fisher-folk

The development of Dodanduwa and Negombo fishery harbours started in March last year with Hellenic Aid Scheme of the Government of Greece, providing US$ 3.6 million has been completed, a Fisheries Ministry press release said.

Negombo fishery harbour was improved at a cost of US$ 1.9 million and the Dodanduwa fishery harbour facilities with a sum of US$ 1.7 million.

The two projects will directly benefit more than 10,000 families and thousands of others indirectly through selling fish, boat and net repairs and by providing fishermen with food, fuel and other supplies, the release said.

At Dodanduwa harbour a 100-meter breakwater has been constructed to provide safe entry and berthing for fishing boats. New administrative and fish auction facilities have also been completed and are now ready for use, the press release noted.

Five injured in Kohuwala accident

Irangika RANGE

Five people were injured in a collision involving five vehicles close to Dutugamunu Street on the Piliyandala-Colombo main road yesterday evening.

Kohuwala Police told the Daily News that one motor car, two vans and two lorries collided with one another resulting in huge traffic jam in Kohuwala following the mishap.

The injured were admitted to the Kalubovila hospital. Kohuwala Police is investigating.

Herath appointed AMS President

The Association of Media Secretaries (AMS) has unanimously appointed Presidential Media Coordinating Secretary Wijayananda Herath as its President.

Herath has a Master of Arts Degree in Social Science from the Peradeniya University and is a Diploma holder in Mass Media at the Colombo University.

He was the Media Officer for Labour and Vocational Training Minister between 1995 to 1997.

Arohara in Sunday Observer

Arohara -a special supplement on the Nallur Kandaswamy temple which is holding its annual 25 - day festival in Jaffna, will be issued with the Sunday Observer of August 16.

Please ensure to reserve your copy with your newsagent.