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| Sunday, 21 July 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Jak an alternative food The National Jak Development Project (NJDP), initiated by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) under the Silumina Janasetha programme wishes to thank all readers and well wishers for numerous forms of assistance they have rendered in making the project success. Two jak planting ceremonies were held at the Vidyakeerthi College, Niyandagala, Homagama and at the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises in Kandy during the week. The first jak-fruit promotion lottery, "Hapana" was also launched by Sevana Lotteries last Sunday at Vidyakeerthi College, Homagama. The next planting season will begin in September. Jak-fruit saplings about 2 1/2 - 4 months old are sought from the public. Individuals and organisations interested in supplying Jak-fruit saplings are requested to contact the Secretary, NJDP, Sarath Amarakoon, Chief Administrative Officer ANCL - 429202 or Coordinating Secretary NJDP, Nihal Abeysinghe - 429268 or write to National Jak Development Project, C/o Silumina, Lake House, Colombo 10. More information on NJDP could be obtained from the website http://www.geocites.com/heraliyainasia/index.html This project is sponsored by Sevana Lotteries division of Sri Lanka Lotteries Board. by Vimukthi Fernando This time the jak planting ceremony had no pomp or fan-fare, but it was one where people dedicated to jak planting were present, to give their support. The sweet notes of the special song, on the jak-fruit and its benefits was heard loud and clear. Children, the future generations of the country showed their dedication through the songs they sang and the cultural shows they presented. A simple ceremony but a watershed in the National Jak Development Project (NJDP) took place at the Vidyakeertrhi Vidyalaya, Niyandagala, Homagama last Sunday. "The jak-fruit played an important role as an alternative food, in the aftermath of World War II. It is important to educate the masses on the nutritional and medicinal values of jak and change their attitude towards jak", said R. A. D. Sirisena, Minister of Samurdhi present at the ceremony on behalf of Bandula Gunawardene, praising the efforts of the NJDP. "The ancient village names such as Koswatte, Kosgama, Koslanda and so on symbolise how important the role jak-fruit played in the lives of the people in this country" he pointed out. 'Hapana' the first ever lottery promoting jak-fruit, an instant prize awarding lottery ticket was also launched at the ceremony. The first ticket was handed over to the Chairman of NJDP and Director Editorial, Lake House, Bandula Padmakumara by Chairman of the National Lotteries Board, Imitiyaz Ismail. A seminar and workshop focusing on jak-fruit and its benefits was also held to coincide with the event. A collaboration between Haritha Mithuro a non-governmental organisation in the environment field and the G. L. Peiris Foundation, the seminar was conducted by Priyadarshana Saman Kumara, President of Haritha Mithuro. |
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