In brief

Indian medical team bid farewell

The Indian Medical team which served in the North and the East during the anti-terrorism operations carried out by the Security Forces would be de-inducted on September 10.

A special ceremony will be held at Taj Samudra under the patronage of Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva on September 9 to bid farewell to the 60 member Indian Medical team.

It has served about 42,000 patients, undertaken some 500 major surgeries, 3,500 minor surgeries besides 22,000 laboratory investigations, and made a valuable contribution to meeting the medical needs of the IDPs.

New healthcare program at Menik Farm

by Ananda KANNANGARA

A massive health care program to distribute most needed Multiple Micro Nutrients to over 40,000 children was launched by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry at Menik Farm in the Vavuniya District.

The objective of this program which is conducted on a directive of Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is to stop children being infected with numerous diseases due to lack of vitamins and also many children suffering from long time malnutrition. The nutrients are given after conducting medical checkups by doctors and health officials who are attached to the Ministry’s Family Health Bureau.

DEC textile and shoe complex at Narahenpita

The textile garment and shoes shopping complex of the Narahenpita Dedicated Economic Centre (DEC) to be opened at the end of October, will be a boon to consumers, Trade Marketing Development Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Observer.

The construction of the Rs. 120 million two storeyed shopping complex which had 86 units is nearing completion, the Minister said.

This latest complex will be an additional unit of the present DEC shopping complex located in Narahenpita which is the first outlet, he said.

Only vegetables, fish, fruits, rice and other food items are available in DECs which are in operation in 11 cities including Veyangoda, Meegoda, Dambulla, Welisara, Nuwara Eliya and Keppetipola and the new textile and shoes complex is expected to be a boon to consumers.

DEC sales stalls are only given to producers and DEC prices therefore would be the lowest market price, the Minister explained.

Narahenpita DEC is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily and on Public holidays and poyadays from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. – LSAW

Awards ceremony

The Sri Lanka Institute of Printing will hold its Awards ceremony 2008 on September 10 at 3 p.m. at the BMICH.

Minister of Mass Media and Information and Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Anura Priyadarshana Yapa will be the Chief Guest.

Minister of Mass Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana will be the Guest of Honour.

Book Exhibition from Sept. 13

A book exhibition, by Nalin Gunasinghe depicting his experiences in Korea, Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam and several of his novels on Buddhism, will be held at the Public Library, Colombo from September 13 to 15 from 9 a.m.