Sri Lanka News | Sundayobserver.lk

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne launched a project to reconstruct the places of worship devastated due to the conflict. Here the Premier hands over a cheque to rebuild a mosque in the East in the presence of Eastern Province Governor Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema.

Minister of Justice, Athauda Seneviratne presents a tractor to a farmer at the Vap Magul ceremony at Indurana Ruwanwella. It was organised by Provincial Councillor and SLFP Chief Organiser for Ruwanwella Dr. Parakrama Athauda to commence ploughing of paddy fields.

Youth Drama Festival - 2010: The National Youth Drama Festival of 2010 organised by National Youth Services Council was inaugurated by Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma. Here the Minister lights the oil lamp. NYSC Chairman Lalith Peum Perera was also present.

Jewellery found at Maligawa

The Maligawa Police Unit has found a bag of jewellery - worth over Rs. 3 lakhs said the OIC - IP Thushitha Halangoda. He said the contents were handed over to the Kandy Police where the owner can claim it, proving the authenticity of its ownership and identity.

The Diyawadana Nilame - Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara thanked the Maligawa Police Unit for their exemplary job glorifying the service of the National Police Service.

Six coconut projects for Kalutara

The Agriculture Department has allocated Rs. 1.8 million to set up six coconut projects in the Kalutara district.

According to the progress of the schemes more projects will be launched the agricultural officials said.

Law student nabbed

A law student and a watcher have been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Mount Lavinia police in connection with a theft of a gold bracelet, four car tyres fitted with alloy wheels and 27 bottles of whisky, from a residence at Mount Lavinia, Police Media Spokesman SP, Prishantha Jayakody told the Sunday Observer.

Police said following a complaint made at the Mount Lavinia police last week a law student from Dehiwela was arrested. Police recovered the gold bracelet in his possession and a cab fitted with the stolen alloy wheels.

According to police a watcher from Wellawatte had broken into a house at Wattarappala road at Mount Lavinia and stole 27 bottles of foreign whisky, four car tyres fitted with alloy wheels and a gold bracelet.

He had then sold the stolen property to a law student at Dehiwela. Meanwhile police have launched an investigation into the missing 27 bottles of whisky.

Work begins on Mawala tank

Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma inaugurated the construction work on Mawala tank in Uruwewa, Dikwella.

On completion of the project more than 600 farmers in the area who underwent severe hardships in cultivating in their paddy lands due to the lack of water will reap the benefits.

The project will be implemented under the Gama Neguma rural development drive. The estimated cost for the project is Rs.40 million and Matara District Secretariat has granted Rs. 33.85 million for the project.

The Mawala tank will have a capacity of 40-acre square feet water. The length of the dam is 100 meters and height 7 meters.

Due to the geographical location of the site the spill of the tank has been modified in a funnel shape, according to the Zone Irrigation Director D. P. de Silva.

Matara District Secretary W.K.K. Athukorala, Dickwella Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Krishali Muthukumarana, Zone Irrigation Director D. P. de Silva and several others were also present.

Colombo-Jaffna bus fares reduced

On the directive of Transport Authority the ticket rates between the Colombo-Jaffna transport service has been revised with a 35 percent reduction.

Since the A-9 highway opened for transportation last year a large number of bus operators began their services between the North and South.

However, the rates of the tickets for the North-South bus services were not regularised as certain bus operators were charging exorbitant rates from Jaffna bound passengers.

Following the complaints made by the passengers and due to the competition among the North-South bus operators, the ticket rates on buses operating between Jaffna and Colombo have been reduced by 35 percent, sources said.

The new ticket rates for buses operating between Colombo and Jaffna will remain between the rates of Rs.530 and Rs.1,035 sources said.Meanwhile, Rs. 1 million tax will be levied from each bus operator’ who conducts passenger services between Jaffna and Colombo annually, sources said.

-(AP)

Record crop for Maha expected

Farmers throughout the country, including those in the war-torn North and East, have begun paddy cultivation for the Maha Season and the yield is expected to be 15 - 20 percent more than the total requirement of the nation, Additional Secretary to the Agricultural Ministry Shantha Emitiagoda told the Sunday Observer. The excess production will be reserved as buffer stock for contingencies, he said. A total of 750,000 hectares are targeted for the Maha Season, he said.

Under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has prioritised seed paddy production locally and installation of all mechanism to substitute wheat flour with rice flour, Emitiagoda said.

The process of distributing seed paddy and fertilisers is now under way with 300,000 bushels already distributed and 600,000 bushels in hand. With the monsoonal rains already started farmers are engaged in their traditional profession of feeding the nation, he said.

Cultivation of highland crops including black gram, green gram, red onions and cowpea is also being encouraged with distribution of seed grains and fertilisers. India has volunteered to supply seed grains.

Babul seized by CAVSF

A large quantity of packeted Babul was seized by the Central Anti Vice Striking Force (CAVSF) following a raid on a licensed tobacco wholesale distributing centre at Gasworks street Pettah recently. Fifty six kilograms of illegally imported Babul was recovered, police sources told the Sunday Observer.

According to Police the consignment of Babul valued at Rs. 50,000 was illegally imported from India. The proprietor of the tobacco shop was in the process of dispatching the packeted Babul to retail tobacco shops where schoolchildren have access to them.

The proprietor of the tobacco shop with the consignment of Babul was handed over to the Pettah police.

Last Friday the CAVSF raided a shop at School lane Borella and seized a consignment of locally manufactured cigarettes. Following the raid police took into custody a man and a woman with 1,820 cigarettes. “The suspects contravened section 27 of the Tobacco and Alcohol act of 2006 where manufacture and the sale of cigarettes is prohibited.

A cigarette is sold at Rs. 10 in the open market. The suspects will be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s court,” police said.

Science and Technology exhibitions

The Ministry of Technology and Research has organised a series of exhibitions on science and technology islandwide commencing on October 20, a spokesperson for the ministry said. Accordingly exhibitions will be held in every district, including districts of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The final day will be November 10 - the International Science day.

The Ministry hopes to identify new inventors from the local communities. In order to upgrade these new products, the ministry plans awareness programs on International Standards set for inventions.

A Series of lectures will be conducted parallel to the exhibition by the Industrial Technology Institute on new research findings, especially targeting small and medium-scale businessmen. The exhibition will provide an opportunity for local producers attached to ‘Vidatha’ centres, to promote and find a better market for their products.

All the institutes for scientific research under the purview of the ministry will be conducting seminars and workshops on new inventions for the local communities and schools.

-(DY)

Mihimadala program at Convention Centre

The Mihimadala Exhibition and the International Conference 2010 will be held from October 21 - 23 at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre in Colombo.

The exhibition is organised by the Young Zoologists’ Association of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Biodiversity Secretariat, Department of Wildlife Conservation, National Zoological Gardens, Ruk Rakaganno (The Tree Society of Sri Lanka).

The international conference will be in the final part of the Mihimadala program with the participation of both local and international delegates.

The conference will bring together both local and international experts and amateurs from various disciplines. Sri Lanka will be able to draw from the experiences from the international experts in particular, to find solutions to common environmental concerns.

The exhibition will comprise 50 stalls from government, non government and other organisations.

Another 50 stalls will be for eco-friendly and nature related products from the private sector.

- (DY)

Young lad needs help

Nine and a half year old Roshad Carey Peiris of 54, Amuna Road, Seeduwa is afflicted with a Tumour in midbrain (Astrodome) and underwent treatment at the Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai, India, in July this year.

The Senior Consultant in Medical Oncology and BMT of the Hospital has advised further renew of the case after three months.

His parents who are already in debts due to the earlier treatment, appeal to the generous public for funds, which is expected to cost around Rs. 2,000,000.

Contributions could be made to the care of T.D.I. Peiris, Sampath Bank, Borella Branch A/C No. 100453672863.

Lumbar surgery: he needs help

Aruna Nishantha (38), of 373, Makola South, Makola has been diagnosed with bilateral sciatica due to a condition in the lumbar spine.

Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr. Sunil Perera recommends surgery, the Lumber (L2/3) Discectomy at the Central Hospital.

The operation is estimated to cost around Rs. 400,000 (Rupees four hundred thousand), inclusive of hospital and equipment charges and professional fees, and his wife Mrs. W. P. S. Senadheera appeals for financial assistance to the generous public.

Contribution may be remitted to A/c No. 047020196971 of the Hatton National Bank, Biyagama.