Be vigilant over LTTE infiltration into hill country - DIG Warns

By P. Rajaratnam, Nuwara Eliya

Deputy Inspector General Pujith Jayasundara, who addressed a large gathering of Civil Security members at the Nuwara Eliya Town Hall emphasised the paramount importance of strengthening the security in the country. He said that with defeating the LTTE the outfit would attempt infiltrate into the hill country, where all communities live in peace.

Therefore the civil security members should be vigilant and alert against any possible infiltrations, by the LTTE.

The DIG Pujith Jayasundara, who addressed nearly two thousand members including the members of the planting community, public servants said during his tenure of 24 years in the police service, he had seen the appalling conditions under which the armed forces, general public, and the teenagers suffer, in the war hit areas. He said with the helping hands of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters and other well wishers took large consignments of utensils, toys and bicycles and other things to the North and Eastern provinces and they were distributed to the people hit by war.

He reminded of the fact, that Sri Lanka belonged to all races. He also said that soon people would live in amity, and unity with the complete eradication of terrorists.

The DIG recalled the recent bomb blast of a Transmitter at Talawakelle and his detection of a large haul of lethal item in the Nikaweratiya area by a lorry transporting them from Pundaluoya towards the Eastern province along with coconuts.

He said it had revealed that Velupillai Prabhakaran was responsible for such evil acts and it was evident that some terrorists were operating in this part of the country too. Therefore, he called upon the Civil Protection members, the Planters and the public servants and others to be cautious against any possible unforeseen happenings in the hill country. He added that a large number of Economic Enterprises including, the quality tea producing tea factories and the country's major irrigational schemes were situated in this part of the district. Hence, it should be the responsibility of every citizens and others to protect and safeguard them.

Gamini Maturata SSP Nuwara Eliya delivered the welcome speech.

Measures to develop Pahiyangala temple

by K. A. Perera - Wadduwa Special

The Ministry of Tourism has planned to develop the historic temple of Pahiyangala and its surroundings in the Kalutara district to attract tourists.

Under this development programme, the steps leading to the temple would be renovated, a parking space for vehicles and construct a tank for bathing facilities.

The ancient Pahingala temple is located in a remote area off Bulathsinghala town. The regular visit of tourists will provide numerous opportunities for the village to improve their income.

SP Governor salutes valiant soldiers

by D. C. de Silva - Kahawa Special

Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya praised the patriotic soldiers who liberated the Pooneryn region.

She was addressing a meeting held at Governor's Secretariat, last week to mark the "Ranaviru Upahara Sathiya" declared by the government to honour Security Forces in the North who captured the Pooneryn region.

"It is the right leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa that led to the immense military victories in the North and East. "Government has launched the Ranaviru Fund for the disabled and dead soldiers and their families.

The public servants in the Province contributed Rs. 10 each out of their salaries, and in addition my office initiated a programme to do a door-to-door collection .

We could collect a large sum of money by this programme", she said.

K. H. T. Keerthirathna, Secretary to the SPC Ministry of Sports, Fisheries, industries and Rural development, and the Governor's Secretary Mrs. D. S. Pathmakulasooriya also participated at the event.

Unawatuna Beach carnival

by Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota Group

Steps are under way for the "Unawatuna Bay Beach Festival and Carnival 2008" to be held from December 11 onwards at Unawatuna Beach organised by the Habaraduwa Pradeshiya Sabha in collaboration with the Unawatuna Tourism Promotion Society and Max Radio TV Unit in order to attract more local and foreign tourists to the area.

On a proposal by the Habaraduwa SLFP Chief Organiser and SMIB Chairman, Chandima Weerakkody, preliminary discussion on the event was held recently at Governor's Secretariat, Galle and the Governor Southern Province Dr. Kumari Balasuriya presided.

Addressing the gathering Governor said that tourism in the Province should be promoted in order to earn foreign exchange.

"Tourism is the second revenue earner in the National Economy. I presided over the ITOP Forum (Inter Islands Tourism Policy Forum) held at Bentota Taj Exotica Hotel a few months ago participated by delegates from Hainan-China, Jeju-Korea, Okinawa-Japan and Zanzibar-Tanzania", she said.

The Governor said the whole world today was keen on tourism promotion. "Sri Lanka's tourism had its setbacks due to conflicts in the past but it has improved satisfactorily."

"I also visited China and signed the agreement regarding Tourism Promotion between Bentota and Jianseng of China", she added. Habaraduwa SLFP Chief Organiser Chandima Weerakkody said: The Unawatuna festival is for the amusement of locals in the area hoping to attract more and more foreigners to Unawatuna Beach Festival would include day and night music and other entertainment. Water sports will also be included in addition to several other events," he said.

Habaraduwa PS Chairman Bandupala Abeykoon, SSP Galle Keerthi Silva, Manager Max Radio Dinusha Priyadarshana, Area Engineer Ceylon Electricals E. K. Indranath and several others also participated at the meeting.

Plans worked out to popularise bee-keeping

K. A. Perera- Wadduwa Special

The Agricultural Extension Services at Kalutara has drawn up a comprehensive plan to expand and popularise the bee-keeping project in the Kalutara district.

According to the approved scheme, 6000 bee-colonies will be set up in the Kalutara district.

There are more than 3000 boxes with bees maintained in the district, so far.

This is a self-employment project that is very popular among the youth of Kalutara district in rural areas. According to a research conducted by the Agricultural extension service, maximum output of honey could be collected from rubber growing areas during march and April.

There is a great demand for bee-boxes and bee-honey. As such the development has been handicapped for want of boxes.

The Agricultural extension service has proposed following improvement for development of this project.

This will include the installation of a Unit at Horana Agricultural Farm to manufacture bee-boxes.

Recession hits tea industry

By P. Rajaratnam, Nuwara Eliya

With the global recession the tea production in the hill country is in a total mess, according to several estate managements. The quality teas are being piled up in the tea factories while work in the estates are being drastically cut down, against adverse protests by its labour force and trade unions.

Certain private small estates are in a most critical economic state, and they have not paid the wages for their workforce.

Six tea factories have been closed down in the hill country, while 30 tea factories have been closed down in the low and mid-country areas. It is stated that over ten million kilogram of manufactured teas are still lying in the hill country factories. According to management sources, despite the government had authorised bank loans at low interests to the Tea export traders, and the Tea Board. The producers in the mid and low country were left in the lurch.

The same problems were voiced at the 16th annual general meeting of the Ceylon Planters' Association held at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club Auditorium, presided over by its Chairman Thusil Tissera, where the Secretary General of the Ceylon Planters' Association Nalin Goonatillake and several other speakers voiced their views on the prevailing situations.

We should focus more on local products - Governor

By Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota Group

"When all other nations are very keen on preserving their traditions and culture, and taking steps to depict through their creations. We should also safeguard our traditional craftsmen. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is very particular in preserving out cultural values and traditionals", Governor Southern Province, Dr. Kumari Balasuriya said.

Spoke at the opening ceremony of the "Ruhunu Viskam and Ruhunu Ransalu exhibition and trade fair 2008" organised by the Southern Province Rural Industries Ministry at the Town Hall, Galle last week.

Governor further said: "Every nation wants to exhibit of their culture to the rest of the world. The foreigners come to Sri Lanka should be encouraged to buy our handicraft." She also said that the SPC would take meaningful steps to carry forward the well-being of craftsmen by making them to join the foreign market to sell their products. "Handloom Textile Industry was in a loss for many years due to the open economic policy that was introduced by J.R. Jayawardene regime. The J.R. Government policy led to the down fall of handloom and textile industry in the country", Governor added.

Governor said the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime has taken steps to reopen those textile factories that were closed down by the UNP regime. The handloom textile centres in the South must be well developed. SPC Industries Minister V.K. Indika should take all steps to improve and develop local products in the province.

Thambiluvil Madhya Maha Vidyalayam in its Golden Jubilee Year (1958-2008)

Thambiluvil Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, the largest educational institution in the East catering for the educational needs of the region, celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year.

The christian missionaries brought vast changes in the field of education during the British period. This reflected in Thambiluvil too; the Christians set up schemes for Boys' and Girls' namely the East school and West school of Thambiluvil.

The junior school of Thambiluvil was established in 1958 where students above Grade 5 from the above school pursued their studies.

Mr. K. Somasundaram was the founder principal of this school. As this junior school was unable to accommodate the increasing numbers of students, a Maha Vidyalaya was established in the same locality. This school with one building catered for the secondary educational needs of 250 students from Thambiluvil East and West schools and Thirukkovil Methodist Mission Vidyalaya, upto their O/Ls. The teaching staff consisted of 5 teachers who mainly taught Arts subjects such as Tamil Language, Tamil Literature, History, Geography and Arithmetic.

In 1961, during the period of Mr. S. Leena as principal, another building was erected. Mr. C. Kanapathipillai composed the school anthem. The science stream for G.C.E. O/L students and the A/L Arts stream were initiated. Graduate teachers from outstations were appointed. The dedication and commitment by Mr. S. Leena, the great disciplinarian, laid a solid foundation that developed the school greatly.

In A/L Arts stream, teachers Mr. R. S. Nadarajah, Mr. Yogan Velupillai, Mr. A. J. Kanagaretnam, Mr. S. Kanagaretnam worked in union. They reaped the results of their tireless services when Mr. S. Ponnuthurai achieved the entrance to the University in 1964. In 1965 Mr. S. Seevarefram, Mr. A. Kanesamourthy and Mr. A. Sivathasan were selected for university. Mr. S. Leena is still remembered as a 'Lighthouse' of Thambiluvil Village. The past pupils of Mr. R. S. Nadarajah have nourishing memories of him.

This period was considered a Golden Era in the history of the school. Success in G.C.E. O/L examination results was also on its peak then. The fields of sports and Arts and Literature were also taught well.

Mr. S. Pararajasingham assumed duties in 1969. There was no significant progress in the field of education during his period as he served only for a brief period. Mr. M. Sachithananda Sivam followed him in office from 1970. This deciplinarian offered his dedicated services with extreme concern and commitment. Students secured university entrances in Science and Arts Streams. He encouraged the Sports and students of the school achieved places in National Level competitions. Mr. P. Sathasivam, Mr. J. Jayarajasingham, Mr. A. Kanesamoorthy, Mr. R. Nesarajah, Mr. P. Sivapiragasam and Mr. S. Thavarajah followed him in office with students excelling in their performances in O/L and A/L examinations, University entrance and extra curricular activities during the period of the above principals. Mr. V. Jayanthan has been serving as principal since 2000. Since then, the school has been undergoing rapid development in all aspects.

The number of teaching staff has increased above 60 and the number of student also exceeded to 1600. Many upstairs buildings, a computer centre, Girl's Hostel with English medium education were established during this period.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations were inaugurated by a distinguish Past Pupil, H. H. Swami Nithyananda Saraswathy recently. Teachers who served in the school and retired from their services before 6/10/2008 were felicitated as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Lands for 34,000 families

by D.C. de Silva-Kahawa special

Southern Province, Land, Agriculture, and Animal Production Minister, Hemal Gunasekara told the Observer that his ministry distributed title deeds to 34,000 families who lived in unauthorised crown lands in Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts in order to give them legal possession of a piece of land.

12,750 families in the Galle district, 12,750 in the Matara district, and 8,750 families in the Hambantota district were benefitted with this new title deeds, the Minister said.

"In addition, 30,000 landless families not yet provided with title deeds would also be provided with the entity shortly the Minister said.

Meanwhile Southern Province Development authorities (SPDA) effort to re-cultivate the abandoned paddy lands, in the Galle district, with traditional varieties of paddy, has become a success, according to SPDA chairman Kapila Tyronne de Silva.

Presently four hundred of acres in the district, have been cultivated already, with traditional varieties such as, Heenate, Rathdel, Karutuda, Madathavalu, Hondaravalu and etc. and achieved a good quantity of harvest by the farmers in the district he said.

Optional road to ease traffic

by D. C. de Silva - Kahawa Special

Hikkaduwa City Development plan would be reactivated in the year 2009, and the item one in the plan is to construct an optional road away from the Galle Road running via the city", Hikkaduwa Urban Council Chairman Vinnie Kariyawasam told the Sunday Observer.

"Present obstacle to meet the purpose in the Galle-Colombo highway running through the city and a new optional road with the Government support is important", he said. Optional road will be from Wellawatta bridge in the North, to Kumarakanda Junction in the South of the city, he said.

Once the optional road construction was over, the prevailing turmoil in the city and traffic congestion, environmental pollution would be over", he said.

Stern action against food offenders

By Divakara Mohotti Kalutara

Rs. 135,000 has been collected as fine in the past ten months for selling of unsuitable human consumption of food items in the Kalutara health division, Gamini Samaratunga the Inspector of Health Kalutara division said. The traders selling unsuitable food items were caught-red-handed by the health officials, and prompt legal action was taken against them in and out of Kalutara urban area, he said.

Conductor punished for pranks with women

By S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group

A bus conductor of a private coach operating between Kandy and Hanguranketha who was having fun out of pregnant ladies was in hot water and has been made to pay dearly for his pranks. It was revealed that this bus conductor was in the habit of pouring a little water on the seat reserved for Pregnant women and when the innocent ladies sit on them, they naturally get their sarees wet and the bus conductor laughs at them with his dirty jokes.

One day a bold lady who could no longer bear this humiliation decided to complain to the relevant authorities. She complained about this pervert conductor to the Provincial Manager of the Central Province Passenger Transport Authority Mrs. Lakshmy Ratnayake.

She promptly summoned the errant conductor of the private coach and withdrew his conductor's licence and held an inquiry. The bus conductor admitted his vulgar pranks and apologised for it, saying that he would never repeat it. He pleaded for mercy. But Ms. Lakshmy Ratnayake who deals firmly with characters of this nature has now suspended his licence for over a month.