In brief

Engineers committee to report on Southern Expressway

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

A special committee comprising engineers of Peradeniya and Moratuwa Universities has been appointed to look into the construction of Southern Expressway, particularly its bridges, Road Construction Minister T. B. Ekanayaka said.

A student was killed when one of the bridges of the Expressway collapsed recently.He said that the committee has been asked to submit a comprehensive report.No officials from the Road Development Authority have been appointed to the committee in order to guarantee the independence of its functioning, he said.

Sixth new police station in Wanni

Kanagarayankulam new police station and the new office of the Superintendent of Police was opened yesterday by the Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratna.Police Public Relations Director SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said that this is the sixth new police station set up after the government reestablished its writ in the North.

Veditaletivu, Madhu, Silawatura, Wakerei and Omantai police stations were established recently. The SSP said that a large number of devotees are arriving at the Nallur Kovil to participate at the annual ceremony. A police post had already been set up at the Kovil premises. No special incidents were reported as yet, the police spokesman said. -LSAW

Resettlement of IDPs in Kilinochchi expedited

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

The re-settlement process of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kilinochchi has been expedited with de-mining, constructing access roads, providing water supply and electricity in the region according to the new Governor of the North, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri. Governor Chandrasiri said, “We are continuing with the ground work to resettle people of the Kilinochchi district. Nine GN Divisions are under the present plan and demining has been already completed in five GN divisions,” Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri said. Access roads, electricity and water supply schemes are being constructed in the Kilinochchi town and its suburbs”, under the Uthuru Wasanthaya 180-day development program the Governor said.

In the initial, plan 10,264 members belonging to 2,636 families will be resettled in Jeyanthinagar, Puthumurippu, Kanakapuram, Kirushnapuram and Uruthirapuram East GN divisions in Kilinochchi.

“Resettlement will commence in Kilinochchi as soon as we receive clearance from the Sri Lanka Army when the demining is completed,” he said. The demining process is being carried out by the Sri Lanka Army speedily under the supervision of the Security Forces Headquarters in Kilinochchi.

“Arklow” popular among the youth

by Jeevananda S. Kaviratne

The people of the village of Arklow in Ireland had funded a full fledged Vocational Training College at Balapitiya, located on a stretch of land, rich in scenic beauty and in close proximity to famous Madu River.

A few months after the tsunami a group of representatives from Arklow village, on a humanitarian mission had reached Balapitiya which was badly devastated.

As a direct result of this fact finding mission, training for the youth of the Balapitiya area was identified as a key issue, requiring immediate attention.

At present, Arklow Vocational Training College conducts courses in beauty culture, information technology, communicative English, dress making, cake making and catering, which has become very popular among the school leavers of the area.

Some of those who had followed training at this Centre had already found employment in the private sector where as others are engaged in self-employment ventures.

The Principal of the Arklow Ireland Training College, Rev. Brother Robert Miranda said arrangements have already been made to start an English Medium school for students following the local syllabus in the year 2010.

Heart patient needs help

M.G.D. Tharindu (22) of 247, Kalugalawatta, Ranawana, Katugastota is suffering from an acute heart disease, and Resident Cardiologist, Colombo National Hospital Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe has recommended a therapeutic procedure (PTCA and Stenting) which will cost around Rs. 250,000.

Due to needy circumstances his parents find it difficult to foot the medical bill and as such request public contributions, which may be remitted to A/c No 089-2001-10011210, People’s Bank, Katugastota, Kandy.

Father of five appeals for help

Fifty eight-year-old A. H. M. Nilabdeen of 46 A, Kumarimulla, Pugoda, a father of five, is unemployed, has been diagnosed with serious coronary artery and congenital heart disease, which requires PTCA/stenting, delay of which may be fatal.

The total cost of consumables which is available in the open market cost Rs. 590,000. The President’s Fund has released a sum of Rs. 175,000 in lieu of part of the cost. Nilabdeen appeals to the general public to kindly contribute whatever possible to meet the balance sum of Rs. 415,000.

Donations could be directed to the Bank of Ceylon, Pugoda branch, A/c No. 9316988.