Hambanthota District MP Namal Rajapaksa was the Chief Guest at a function held yesterday to hand over the keys to houses and motor bikes to 23 Tamil women who joined the Sri Lanka Army from Kilinochchi. MP Namal Rajapaksa is seen handing over a key to a mother of one of the new recruits at a function held at Murukkandy, in the presence of Nothern Province Governor G.A. Chndrasiri. Picture by Sudath Malaweera

Nonis slams AI

British Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary here for CHOGM :

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Chris Nonis blasted an Amnesty International report which he dubbed as a “fascinating piece of fiction” based on third party news reports and websites. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Tuesday: “I’m sorry to say that as usual, Amnesty International has carried out its usual propaganda exercise of misinformation and hearsay.

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Children should honour nation's feats - President

Children should be taught to appreciate the greatness of the nation and the country's proud achievements, both past and present, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Saturday. The President made these comments as Chief Guest at the annual prize giving of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda. He said a nation's achievements and love for the country should be instilled in the hearts of the children from a small age coupled with positive attitudes to help them face life with confidence.

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Shot in the arm for potato farmers

In a bid to protect local potato farmers, the government has decided to purchase potatoes at Rs. 65 per kilo. According to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the government implemented this programme with the support of the Agrarian Services Department. The minister said the government is providing every possible assistance to local potato farmers to boost production to make the country self-sufficient in potatoes by 2014.

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Mechanism to collect discarded CFL bulbs

A mechanism to collect discarded CFL and tube light bulbs will be introduced this year as a measure to control the serious health and environmental hazards posed by these products, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) chairman Wimal Rubasinghe said. He said a proper disposal method for these products that contain mercury had been a long felt need.

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Vada Tharakai-11 relaunched :

Free transport to passengers from Kurukadduwan Jetty to Delft Island

The Navy ceremonially re-launched the Vada Tharakai - 11 passenger ship from Kurikadduwan Jetty to Delft Island on May 1. The ship was flagged off by Northern Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral Shirantha Udawatte and Jaffna District Secretary S. Aruneinayam.

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