Move to combat child abuse and drug menace

by Nimal Wijayatunga - Eheliyagoda Special Corr.

A special society-centred educational conference with the participation of a large number of representatives of "Community Defensive Committees" of Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita and Kiriella police areas was held at Hotel 'Jilani' Eheliyagoda recently.

The conference was chaired by Sabaragamuwa DIG Sarath Perera, whose lecture focussed on the provinces increasing child abuse, drug menace as well as the expanding terrorist activities towards the country's inland.

Ratnapura SSP Kithsiri Ganegama, Ratnapura SP Lalith Pathinaike Eheliyagoda OIC Kapila Premadasa, Kuruwita Police Officer S. A. S. Weerasinghe, Kiriella police officer Y. Weeratunga and several police officers were also participated.

Eheliyagoda community Defensive Committee Representative Somaweera Jayalath, Kuruwita CDC, representative K. Dodamgoda and Kiriella CDC, Representative L. J. Karandana also expressed ideas.

New bus stand and shopping complex for Minuwangoda

Samantha Suraweera, Gampaha south group corr.

Arrangements have been made under the Minuwangoda Town Development program to set up a new bus-stand and a shopping complex at a cost of Rs. 55 million.

This decision has been taken by the relevant authorities considering the representations made by the Western Province Council Minister of Health and Minuwangoda Electorate SLFP Chief Organiser Prasanna Ranatunga through the Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray.

The construction work will be handled by the State Engineering Corperation and the Urban Development Authority.

Minuwangoda is a densely populated and fast developing town close to Bandaranaike International Airport and the Katunayake Free Trade Zone.

Minuwangoda bus stand is the main bus stand in the Gampaha district for thousands of commuters who travel to Colombo, Kurunegala, Negombo, Veyangoda, Nittambuwa, Divulapitiya and Badalgama.

The Chairman of Passenger Transport Services Board J. M. Somasiri inspecting the condition of the present bus stand has given instructions to expedite the project.