APCC in Japan:

Six local students attend Convention

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane stressed the value of forging relationships between schoolchildren from different communities and said it is vital to strengthen future diplomatic relations between communities.

The Minister was addressing a group of schoolchildren who obtained the island's highest marks at the 2010 Grade Five scholarship examination.

Six children were accorded an opportunity to attend the 23rd Asian Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) which is currently being held in Japan. It will conclude on July 27. The children left Sri Lanka on July 15.

The objective of holding the annual convention in Japan is to develop a friendship between communities of various countries.

Students Sanuja Edirisinghe, Yasanka Premaratne, Lakith Navodya, Kalani Pabasara, Dharani Balendra and Fathima Haseena were presented air tickets to attend the APCC at a ceremony held at the Education Ministry auditorium.

On this occasion, the Education Minister highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between communities and called upon children to share their experiences and views of the APCC with other children after their return to the island.

On behalf of the students, Kalani Pabasara thanked the Education Ministry for giving them an opportunity to attend international conference for the first time in their life, and the group of students will share their experience with other schoolchildren and also apprise the Minister about the APCC.

Sigiriya gets facelift

by Rohana JAYALAL

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has completed the first phase of Sigiriya renovation project implemented to ensure the safety of visitors while easing the congestion, GSMB source said.

According to the GSMB,the narrow staircase running from the Lion's paw to the top of the rock was broadened and reconstructed using stainless steel.

After broadening the steps, four people can now climb up the steps abreast ,with ease . A section of the platform built to view the frescoes which had been closed for safety reasons for a long period was also reopened to the public after reconstructing and widening the area using stainless steel. According to GSMB records, about six frescoes appear on the surface of the rock in this section.

The renovation technology developed by the mining engineers in the Kahatagaha Graphite Mine had been a low cost option without building scaffoldings from the base of the rock to carry out the renovation work.

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has identified six dangerous spots in Sigiriya, where the rock has loosened due to the natural process of decaying.These areas have been anchored and stabilised using steel bars to ensure the safety of visitors. The GSMB has decided to do everything manually to avoid any damage to the plaster of frescoes due to the vibrations of machines.

The renovation Project has been carrying out work for the past one and half years to provide facilities to local and foreign visitors.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has provided Rs 52 million for the renovation project.

NEWS IN BRIEF

by Rohana JAYALAL

Jaffna Fort, a tourist centre

The Jaffna Fort will be developed as a tourist cenre while preserving its archaeological values, according to Economic Development Ministry sources.

The Economic Development Ministry which is supervising the renovations of the Jaffna Fort has instructed the officials to complete the work at the earliest, and accordingly phase one of the ongoing renovation project costing Rs.104 million is expected to be completed shortly. Jaffna Fort was built as a small garrison by the Portuguese in 1618 when the Portuguese invaded Jaffna. Later, in 1658 the Dutch captured it from the Portuguese and expanded its location further. It was taken over by the British in 1795.

The Dutch Fort was completely destroyed during the war against terrorism as the LTTE had maintained its garrison within the Fort premises

Jaffna, the capital city of Sri Lanka's Northern province has been a tourist destination with the visit of large number of locals as well as foreigners daily, since terrorism ended. Therefore, the government decided to make the Jaffna Fort, a tourist centre.

Mattala Airport nearing completion

The construction of the runway of Sri Lanka's second International Airport at Mattala in the Hambantota district in the South has been completed.

The runway with a length of 4,000 metres and a width of 75 metres has all the facilities to land the largest aircraft available, such as Airbus A-380. The taxi route to the runway is 370 metres long and 60 metres wide.

The foundation for the construction of the main passenger terminal with state-of-the-art facilities that can accommodate 10,000 passengers was laid in April. The Government plans to complete all basic facilities and requirements including the runways, taxiways and parking facilities for 10 aircraft in the first phase at a total cost of US$ 210 million with financial assistance from the Chinese government.

The airport is being built on a 2,000 hectare land in keeping with the requirements of of the International Civil Aviation Authority..

The 1,000-sq. metre cargo facility which is also nearing completion will have the capacity of handling 45,000 metric tons of cargo per year. The first aircraft is expected to land at the new international airport by the end of 2012