Quick Look

Pirated ship's crew gets two months salary

Rafik JALALDEEN

The ship owning company of the vessel Al-Nisr Al-Saudi will grant two months salary to the 14 crew members including 13 Sri Lankans who had been taken hostage by Somalian pirates. A spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the tanker which was owned by International Bunkering Co. has promised to grant two months salary for the crew members who are being held by Somalian pirates.

Tree planting campaign

A tree planting campaign using 17 plant varieties organised by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to mark the world bio-diversity day that falls today will be held at the Sadaham Sevana.

This tree planting campaign will be held coincide with the candidate number 17 in the UPFA candidate list of the Colombo District, Minister Ranawaka at the upcoming general election.

National Student Bravery Awards

The National Student Bravery Awards will be held on March 19 at the Isurupaya Auditorium in Battaramulla. Education Ministry Secretary Nimal Bandara will be the chief guest.

The National Student Bravery Award is Presented to a student in recognition of a biophilie, selfless act by which the student goes to the aid of a living being who is helpless or whose life is endangered, without consideration of any disadvantage or injury to oneself.

The following incidents will be recognised at this ceremony.

* Saving a person caught by water tide

* Saving his collegues who were threatened by a herd of elephants

* Saving life of a child, old aged woman and another who were left alone with injuries in the battle area, disregarding the hostilities

* Saving three persons who were struglling with sea tide

* Saving a old person who was about to fall from a bus

* Saving a person who got an epilepsy attack whilst bathing in a reservoir

* Gold Star for the Brave Student

* Silver Stars for the Brave Students

* Certificates of Merit

* Principal Sponsor: Sri Lanka Telecom

Livestock farming encouraged

Mohamed MAHAROOF-Kurunegala South group corr.

Livestock farming is being encouraged on coconut lands in the Kurunegala district by the Agriculture Department to provide additional benefits for coconut cultivators. The department says, under this scheme coconut lands will have natural fertiliser and the land owners will get an additional income from the livestock.

The scheme will enable land owners to own hybrid animals. Calves and buffaloes will be issued to the land owners from the Government Farms. Sheep and goat farming are being carried out in Bingiriya, Yapahuwa, Galgamuwa and Panduwasnuwara. Youth in the Kurunegala district take a keen interest in livestock farming to enhance their income.