Quick Look

 

A book titled “The rise and fall of the LTTE” authored by IGP Dr Mahinda Balasuriya was presented to Prime Minister D M Jayaratne at the latter’s office recently. Senior DIG N K Illangakoon was also present.

 

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Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella presenting a pair of spectacles to an elderly person at the presentation of spectacles and visual aids to disabled persons of the Kundasale Electorate held at Ratnayake Madya Maha Vidyalaya Walala recently. Pic. by Udeni Rajapaksa

 

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Pepper to be cultivated

A A L Dias , Matale district group corr.

The steps have been taken by the Export Crop Cultivation Department to promote the pepper cultivation in Matale district. In the first stage, Abanganga Korale has been selected for this purpose while 800 acres are to be utilized.

The planting material will also be provided by the department for the growers. There is a high demand for the pepper in the open market, fetching over Rs 500/- per kilo making the growers interested in cultivating this crop.

Bridge renovated

Raja WAIDYASEKERA, Tissamaharama Spl Corr

The bridge that spanned the Kirindioya on Kataragama-Tissamaharama Road which was renovated at a cost of Rs 125 million will be opened during this month for vehicular traffic.

This bridge was built over a Century ago during the British era.

Only one vehicle could pass the bridge in the past before renovations. The completion of renovations the bridge consists of two lanes.

This was the oldest bridge in Hambantota District.

Six hundred houses to be built

Mohamed MAHAROOF- Kurunegala South Group Corr

The National Housing Development Authority has already made arrangements to build 600 houses, in 30 Divisional Secretariat areas in the Kurunegala District, in this year 2011. This scheme is to be implemented with the assistance of People's Bank. 500 houses will be built under 'Janasevana' scheme for low income families while another 100 houses to be erected for the government servants under 'Sewana Saviya' scheme.

Bank will issue loans upto Rs 100,000 for low income families, when constructing the houses.

Govt funds set up for development

Mahaweli Systems Corr

An amount of Rs 3.5 million has been earmarked from Government funds to be utilized in improving infrastructure facilities of the weekly fair in Madulla in the Uva Provincial district of Moneragala. Meanwhile, another Government fund of Rs 50 million has been allocated for an electricity distribution project implemented in the Madulla area by the Uva Provincial Council through its program Uva Navodaya.

Through this project, about 4,000 people of seven Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Madulla Pradeshiya Sabha area will benefit.

Furthermore, the Government fund has allocated Rs five million for the drinking water distribution project in the Madulla town.

Two more zones at Yala National Park

Richmond WIJESEKERA, Bentota Group Correspondent

The Ministry of Agrarian Services and Wildlife had taken steps to open two more zones at the Ruhuna (Yala National Park) from this month (January 2011) to give a further boost to tourism.

Zones 2 and 3 would be opened this month. An official of the Ministry told the Daily News that in Yala only Zone 1 located 300 km south of Colombo had been opened for the public in the past due to terrorism that prevailed at this time.

But the entire park was now open to visitors, he said. Yala is situated in the South East region of the country in the Southern Province.

Scholarships for media personnel

The Ministry of Media is offering scholarships to print and electronic media journalists.

Those who have not already applied for the scholarships are requested to send their applications as soon as possible to the Media Ministry, a high official of the Ministry told the Daily News. 75 journalists had been offered scholarships earlier, he also said.

Intoxicated drivers cautioned

With the instructions of IGP the Police have stepped up random checks on motorists especially at night to nab those who drive under the influence of liquor. For the last few months Police took into custody several persons found drunk behind the wheel at night.

The Police warned that anyone who endangers their lives as well as others by driving after liquor will be prosecuted and fined heavily.

Garbage piling up

Katugastota group corr

There is a nauseating smell.

The non clearance of garbage by the Municipal Council in Kandy, due to non-renewing the contract has hindered the garbage clearance in the city.

Heaps of garbage can be seen opposite residences and trade establishments.

It is also an eyesore for people including pilgrims visiting Kandy these days. Deputy Mayor Suminda Wickramasinghe said the Council hoped to solve the problem soon by obtaining vehicles on rent and recruiting worker gangs to attend to the matter.

Vocational training program for youth

Gamini JAYASINGHE and Amila PRABATH

A driver training program has been initiated by the North Central Province under a vocational training program for 600 unemployed male and female youth, said North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake.

The Chief Minister further said in addition to this, 100 youth will be given training in the construction field and 2,000 persons selected from lower income groups will be provided with self-employment equipment and hotel field training to another 200 male and female youth.

The North Central Province has allocated Rs 20 million from this year's budget for the training purpose and 830 male and female youth had been provided training in different fields in the previous year, he added.

Van injures seven

A A L Dias Matale District Group Corr.

A van speeding from Athurugiriya to Anuradhapura on a pilgrimage crashed on to a parked lorry and two motorcycles injuring 5 persons including 2 men near the Dambulla clock tower while other two female students who were on the road were also knocked down injuring them seriously.

The seven casualties were rushed to Dambulla Base Hospital and two of them were transferred to Kandy and Kurunegala Teaching Hospitals in a critical condition.

According to the Police the drowsiness of the van driver was the reason for this accident.

Dambulla Police are investigating.

Moon sighting conference

A conference will be held today immediately after Salath UL Maghrib under the auspices of the Colombo Grand Mosque at the Madrasathul Hameediah Hall, Colombo Grand Mosque, to determine the date to commence the Islamic month of Safar Hijri 1432 on the evidence of sighting the new moon in any part of Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Grand Mosque appeals to the public to look out for the new moon of Safar Hijri 1432 immediately after Maghrib today and to inform on 011 5234044, 2432110, 011 2434651 or 0777 366099 with reliable evidence and witness, if the new moon is sighted.

 Creativity workshop

A workshop aimed at enhancing people's creativity will be conducted today at 1 pm under the aegis of the US-SL Fulbright Commission, at the Commission building at 22, Flower Terrace (off Flower Road), Colombo 7.

The workshop, the organizers said, will be useful to those who wish to lead creative lives and would be of particular relevance to artistes of the visual and performing arts.

Certificate presentation

The certificates presentation ceremony of the Vocational Training Courses conducted by the Vocational Training Division of the National Youth Services Council will be held at the National Youth Theatre, Maharagama today.

Student facilitating centres in Varsities

Dinesh DE ALWIS

Measures have been taken to establish Student Facilitating Centres in all Universities under the guidance of Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake.

The Students Facilitating Centres will be conducted and maintained by the University students.

Internet and E-mail facilities, photocopying facilities and legal assistance will be provided under concessionary rates through these centres. Those who are working in these centres could earn pocket money required for their studies, Minister Dissanayake said.

The Higher Education Ministry has allocated Rs 500 million next year to enhance the university students' skills, English knowledge and IT skills.

Cyclist knocked down

Puttalam Group Corr.

A van proceeding along Chilaw-Colombo road knocked down a cyclist at Katuneriya Monday afternoon. The cyclist who was criticality injured succumbed to his injures at the Marawila hospital. The alleged driver with the van is in police custody. Marawila police are investigating.

Service

The Ceylon Bible Society will celebrate the year for Local Churches at a service to be held at the Cathedral of Christ, the Living Saviour on January 8 at 9.30 am.

Cultural Centre shifted

The Indian Cultural Centre has been shifted to a spacious premises situated at a very prominent location with Colombo being a cultural hub.

The centre is presently situated at No. 16/2, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07, opposite the Australian High Commission and neighbouring the Colombo International School.

The Centre can be contacted on Tel No. 9411 2684698/ Telefax: 9411 2684697 and email [email protected]

National Council to eliminate malnutrition

Parliamentary corr

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday stated in Parliament that a National Council to eliminate malnutrition will be established this month. He made this observation in response to a question raised by Hambantota UNP MP Sajith Premadasa.

Lecture by Prof Malik Peiris

Internationally renowned Researcher Prof Malik Peiris will deliver a lecture on Confronting the threat of new emerging infections at the BMICH on January 8, 2011 at 2 pm.

Prof Peiris is Hong Kong University Microbiology Department Chair Professor and its Pasteur Research Centre Scientific Director.

National Day against child abuse

A special program to mark National Day against child abuse which fell yesterday will be held at the SLFI Colombo today at 9 am.

It is organized by the Child Development and Women’s Affairs Ministry. The program will include a lecture by Dr Hiranthy Wijemanna and the launching of the Siyapath Suwanda magazine.

Buddhist talk

Bikkuni Kusuma will deliver a public Buddhist talk in English on “Bhaddaliya Sutta and its relevance” at the meeting of the Servants of Buddha Society on January 8 at 4.30 pm at Maithree Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

All are welcome.

Bus owners threaten token strike

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association threatened a token strike in the Western Province on January 11. Association’s President Gemunu Wijeratne said his association was willing to negotiate in this regard. He said that they would go on strike against the Western Province Passenger Transport Authority (WPPTA) demanding a joint time table with the CTB buses.

Gold biscuits seized

Suraj A. Bandara

The Sri Lanka customs yesterday seized seven gold biscuits weighing 324 grams worth Rs 1.3 million from a suspect from Chennai at the Bandaranaike International Airport. They were concealed in the bottom of a bag, airport sources said.

The suspect was identified as a resident of Kalutara. He was coming from a flight of UL 123. The customs fined him Rs 100,000. Investigations are being conducted by a team led by Customs Deputy Director S Maheshan.

Death of Malban Rodrigo

The funeral of Malban Rodrigo, who had been serving for 40 years since 1971 in the De Mazenod College, Kandana as a Senior Teacher and the former Vice Principal will take place on January 5 at 3.30 pm at the Roman Catholic burial ground, Kandana.

Remains will be brought to the College today at 11.30 am from his residence - “Pearl”, Kandada, Rilaulla and the body will lie in state until 2.45 pm in the College Chapel.

Forbidden nut plucker shot at

Puttalam group corr.

A man who sneaked into a coconut estate in Nattandiya and climbed a tree to rob some coconuts was shot and injured by the watcher Monday. The man was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital in a serious condition. Marawila police are investigating.