Quick Look

Seventeen injured in accident

Seventeen persons were injured and admitted to Bakamune and Dambulla hospitals when a mini lorry in which they were travelling ran off the Bakamune - Buduruwaya road and toppled on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the injured was later transported to the Kandy hospital in a serious condition. Bakamune police are investigating.

Crematorium repaired

The Devinuwara crematorium which was out of order for over six years has been repaired and recommissioned through funds provided by Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma under his decentralized budget allocations.

Although the earlier estimate for the renovation work was Rs. 2.1 million, Devinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sujeewa Wedage had been instrumental in getting repairs done at a cost of Rs. 330,000 effecting a large saving for the council.

Rain troubles rubber industry

evening torrential rains experienced in Kalutara district has hampered the rubber industry causing a loss of income to estate owners and rubber tappers in the region.

Loss of income is causing inconvenience to estate labourers in particular who have to purchase books and other necessities for their school going children for the new year.

Youth abducted

A 22-year-old woman had been abducted by some unidentified persons who arrived in a van while she was walking along the Ankumbura - Keppitigala road around 8am on Tuesday.

Ankumbura police which investigated into the incident found the victim and arrested six suspects in this connection. Investigations are continuing.

Ganja plantation raided

Medagama police raided a half acre ganja plantation at Ruwanwela on Tuesday and arrested a suspect in possession of two 12-bore guns and two cartridges.

The police also destroyed the ganja plants. The suspect was produced before the Bibile Magistrate yesterday. Investigations are continuing.

Budget passed

Bandula Gunasekara and Dhammika Welegoda

The 2012 budget of the Matara Pradeshiya Sabha was passed with a majority of 17 votes at a special meeting of the sabha, Chairman Lennie Gamage said.

The UNP members of the sabha voted for the budget proposals tabled by the Chairman while the only JVP member voted against the budget proposals. The anticipated revenue for 2012 is Rs 173,291,000 and the expenditure is Rs 173,284,000 with a surplus of Rs 7,000.

Steps to cultivate abandoned land

M Maharuf-Kurunegala South Gr Corr

The Agriculture Ministry of the North Western Province (NWP) is making all efforts to enable farmers to cultivate paddy fields which are currently abandoned due to the lack of irrigation facilities.

The NWP Agriculture and Irrigation Minister D B Herath said the previous Government of 1977 left the farmers in the lurch by importing cheap food while our farmers were jobless and starving.

Moves to protect lands from floods

Local Governments and Provincial Councils Minister A. L. M. Athaulla inaugurated the Sampukalapu rain water drainage system in Addalaichenai, on the invitation of Road Development, Housing and Construction, Irrigation, Rural Electrification and Water Supply Minister M. S. Uthumalebbe.

This programme is to protect the low-land areas from floods during rainy seasons. About 8,000 acres of paddy cultivation lands are to be protected from floods. This programme on completion will increase the economic and living condition of the people in the area.

Sinhala short plays

Evening of Sinhala Short Plays organized by the Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girl’s Association will be staged on January 7, 2012 at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, Borella from 7 pm. Two Sinhala comedies, Golubirinda and Kandoskiriyawa, both directed by Namel Weeramuni and featuring popular Sri Lankan actors, will be staged. All proceeds will be used for school development projects.

CDC meeting

The monthly meeting of the Galagoda Civil Defence Committee will be held on December 29 at 2.30 p.m. at the Galagoda Community Centre to educate the public on the current security condition and to introduce the new police co-ordinating officer to Galagoda.

Dr T. B. Jayah remembered

The 122nd birth anniversary of Al Haj Dr T. B. Jayah, educationist, statesman, diplomat and national hero, will be commemorated on January 1, 2012 at a public meeting to be held at the Ghafoor Hall of Zahira College, Colombo 10 under the patronage of Malaysian High Commissioner Azmi Zainuddin. The Dr T. B. Jayah Oration will be delivered by Al Haj S. H. M. Jameel, former Secretary, Ministry of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs.

This function organized by the Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM) is being held for the 6th consecutive year in conjunction with Hari Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language Day).

Yapa acting Economic Dev Minister

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has been appointed as Acting Economic Development Minister by President Mahinda Rajapaksa until Minister Basil Rajapaksa returns from abroad.

Maldivian nabbed with heroin

A 27-year-old Maldivian national was arrested for possessing two packets of heroin weighing 40 grammes by the Mount Lavinia Police at Janatha Mawatha, Mount Lavinia on Tuesday night. He was due to be produced before the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate yesterday. Investigations are continuing.