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| Sunday, 11 July 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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More facilities for rural schools by Ariyapala Wansatilake, Kurunegala Central Special Correspondent The principals of certain popular schools in Kurunegala accept Rs. 50,000 - 75,000 on admission of a child to these schools, said Minister of Regional Infrastructure Development S.B. Nawinna at Wariyapola Magurankadawala Junior School recently. How could poor parents find so much money to admit children to a school, asked the Minister. Principals should do away with this unethical practice, he added. On the other hand, this practice makes the free education system a farce. As a remedy to this tendency of parents going in search of popular city schools, the Education Ministry is taking steps to provide facilities to schools in the periphery as well, he added. Further, the Minister said, all excess teachers in urban schools will be transferred to schools in rural areas where there are scarce resources. Sigiriya to be polythene-free zone Sigiriya and its surroundings are to be preserved as a zone free of polythene, according to a project of the Sigiriya Cultural Triangle. "Polythene has become a menace and an eyesore. It has also caused considerable damage to the hydro-systems of the water springs, which we have restored to their original condition," sources said. They said every visitor to Sigiriya is provided with a cloth bag which costs Rs. 20, Rs. 15 is returned at the return of the bag. Further environmental programmes are being carried out highlighting these activities. There is a total ban on bringing polythene into the Sigiriya Zone. Largest electricity scheme at Deraniyagala Minister of Power and Energy Susil Premajayantha, will open the Polgaswatte electricity scheme at 4.00 p.m. on July 21, on the invitation of Deraniyagala UPFA MP and Attorney-at-Law H. R. Mitrapala. The scheme will also supply Polpitiya in the Deraniyagala electorate. It is funded by the Asian Development Bank to the tune of Rs. 200 million and was initiated by Deputy Foreign Minister Professor Wiswa Warnapala, when he was SLFP MP for Deraniyagala. He will accompany the Minister at the opening. Mitrapala said this is the largest electricity scheme to be commissioned in the electorate. Minister calls for higher wages for estate workers Community Development and Estate Infrastructure Minister C.B. Ratnayake has requested the Prime Minister to take steps to renew the biennial collective agreement of estate workers this year, with better prospects of higher wages. The agreement in force for the last two years expired at the end of June this year. In terms of the previous agreement, an estate worker was entitled to a minimum wage of Rs. 121 per day subject to an upper ceiling of Rs. 146 per day. It is speculated that in case the proposed wage structure is implemented, the workers would be able to enjoy better remunerative facilities commensurate with the rising cost of living. Devinuwara Esala Festival The Devinuwara Esala Festival will commence with the (Kap) planting ceremony taking place at the auspicious time 1.36 a.m. on July 17. The Pariwara Peraheras (Peli peraheras) will commence on July 25 and end on July 31. The Randoli Perahera will parade the streets on July 31, starting at the auspicious time of 6.15 p.m. The Esala festival and fair will continue from August 1 to 7, during this period, devotees could pay their respects to the Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya and subsidiary devalas which stand around the maha devalaya. The Deva Thovilaya or Kolamura Yagaya will be held on the night of August 07, followed by the Deva danaya at noon on August 08. With that, the festival comes to an end. A discussion was recently held at the district Secretariat, Fort Matara with regard to the steps to be taken to light the street and provide an adequate supply of purified water, proper maintenance of transport and security services for the benefit of pilgrims - Present at the discussion, presided over by District Secretary Jayalath Ravi Dissanayake, Ven. Sunandanayake Thera, Ranjith Wijesekera (Basnayake Nilame), C.H. Gajanayake (Divisional Secretary), Dr.N. Wickremasingha (M O H), Jonny Karunanayake (I.P. Gandara Police), H.K.G.R. Jayasekera (District Engineer, Water Board) and heads of several other Departments. The participants undertook to provide all facilities required for the proper conduct of the historic perahera and religious rites connected with it. Heart patient seeks help Mrs. Gnei Riphana Boraham 25 years of age of No.291, Yasodara Mawatha, Hunupitiya, Wattala is suffering from severe heart disease Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and has been advised to undergo early heart surgery by Dr. Y.K.M. Lahie, Cardiac Surgeon. The surgery is to be performed in the Nawaloka Hospital and it will cost Rs. 230,000/= payable on admission. Mrs. Gnei Riphana is a mother of three children. Son 6 years, daughter 4 years and the baby girl is only 5 months and hails from a very poor family. The mother has been asked not to breast-feed. Her husband does not have permanent employment. She seeks the assistance of philanthropists and well-wishers to save her life in the name of God. Your contributions could be sent to the A/C No. 207076018-3 National Savings Bank Wattala. |
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