From the Tamil Press

M. P. Muttiah

Saintamarthu's tsunami affected will receive new houses today. These houses were built with Venezuelan assistance. Ampara Government Agent Sunil Kannangara will be the chief guest. Venezuelan Ambassador, Ministers and Deputy Ministers will participate.

Ampara Assistant Government Agent Dharsini Prasanthan said all three communities should be included in the development efforts. She added that the people of this area suffered heavily after 1983 and the war. If the area wanted to be speedily developed all three communities should join hands, she added.

Public Health Inspector in-charge for Sri Pada said an inspection had been carried out in the area. Several outdated bottles of cool drink and food were confiscated. P.A. Baskaran said an inspection will continue till the Sri Pada season is over.

Government and Non-Governmental Organizations have come forward to assist parents searching for their children under 18 years who disappeared during the war in Vanni. The Vavuniya District Secretariat, UNICEF and Northern Province Child Probation Department have jointly undertaken this initiative.

Three hundred and sixty five families in Pottuvil have been given seeds and saplings to increase their income. This assistance was given under the Mahinda Chintana. These families have been selected from 27 Grama Niladhari Divisions under the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat.

Tourists who come to Kinniya return without satisfaction as no steps have been taken to improve the tourist industry. The Kinniya Commerce Federation has written to the Eastern Province Chief Minister in this regard. It had said that the tourist industry could not be improved owing to the lack of facilities to obtain bank loans.