ENT specialist attacked

The ENT specialist of Jaffna Teaching hospital has been waylaid and attacked with a sharp cutting instrument. The reason for the attack is not known. He is admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital with hand injuries. The Jaffna police is investigating.

AGAs offices to become Divisional Secretariats

The sixteen AGA offices in the Jaffna district will be raised as Divisional Secretariats. They are the AGA’s offices in Jaffna Vavuniya, Mannar, Killinochchi and Mullaithivu. This change is taking place after 30 years on the orders of Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne to coordinate administration. With this change the number of Divisional Secretaries in the island will be increased to 320.

Two hostels for undergrads

Cabinet has approved Rs 654.4 million for the construction of hostels for the Jaffna University undergraduates on a resolution presented by the Education Minister S B Dissanayake. Two hostels for boys and girls with 600 bed accommodation will be built in Jaffna. The construction of hostels will begin next year and will be completed within five years. About 1,300 outstation students are studying here. They are boarded outside in private homes and hostels. It is to accommodate these students that two hostels are to be constructed.

To be vigilant as sluice are gates opened

As a result of Malwatte Oya in Mannar overflowing the residents of two villages have been asked to vacate to safer places. The people in Thambalagamam and Nanattan have been asked by the Government Agent to vacate. This has been confirmed by Assistant Director Disaster Management M A C Mohamed Riyas.

The sluices of Iranamadu tank are to be opened to avert danger. The Engineer In Charge of the tank said that the water level in the tank is now 30 feet. The water from Kanagarayankulam has begun to rush in and as a result ten sluices have been opened by six inches. The bund of the tank is not strong enough to contain water above 30 feet. The residents of Nagendrapuram Kandal, Puthykulam, Iyyanarkoviladdy have been alerted to be vigilant of any impending danger.

Books, school equipment distributed

Forty-one students were presented with school books and equipment by a Japanese organization in Jaffna at Public Library Auditorium. Rs 5,000 worth of books and equipment were presented to the students of poor families. The students were also presented with pass books with Rs 750 deposit. These presents were distributed under the patronage of Megathena Chandrasiri Nayaka Thera. Jaffna Commander Maj Gen Mahinda Hathurusinghe, 512 Regiment Major Ballagalla, 51 Division Commander Gunawardena and other leading Army Officers participated.

Less rainfall for Jaffna

The lowest rainfall has been recorded in Jaffna this year, T Pratheepan of Jaffna Meteorological Department said. During the past 12 months 125 milimeters of rainfall has been recorded. Jaffna usually gets good rainfall in November and December. But this year the rain has failed and the paddy crops have begun to wilt. This year 725.7 milimetres of rain has fallen. If the rain fails in the coming months paddy cultivators will be affected, they complain.

Budget passed

The budget of Manthai South Pradeshiya sabha has been unanimously passed at the last meeting of the council. The Sabha’s chairman Swakeen Varapragasam presented the budget.