More facilities for tourists to visit Aberdeen waterfall

by G. A. Gunasena - Ginigathhena Special Corr.

Measures have been taken by the Ambagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha in collaboration with the Tourism Ministry has taken step to provide facilities for foreign and local tourists who visit the Aberdeen waterfall.
 

The Tourism Ministry will spend Rs. 2,600,000 to set up an access road to the foot of the mountain in close proximity to the Abedeen waterfall from Kalaweldeniya on the Pallewatte-Norton Bridge bus route and two view - points for the tourists enjoying the beauty of the waterfall and its environment.

Accordingly with the commissioning of the waterfall road and the view - points both the foreign and local tourists who turn up to visit the Aberdeen waterfall almost daily will be able to do so more conveniently than earlier.

Meanwhile the Tourism Ministry has already put up Sign Boards at the Kalugala junction on the Colombo Hatton main road, Pallewatte junction on the Kalugala-Laxapana road and at the Kalaweldeniya junction on the Pallewatte-Norton Bridge bus route for the convenience of the foreign and local tourists to direct the Aberdeen waterfall easily.

Stung to death by a viper

by P. B. Kirideniya, Nawalapitiya Group Corr.

A person travelling on a Footboard of a bus late in the evening got down on to the main road to allow other passengers to alight from the bus when he was stung by a viper. Later he died on admission to the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital.

This was revealed at the inquest held on the death of a hotel employee, Sinhala Pedige Sri Kantha Gamage (39) a father of three children by Miss Pallika Hewarathna, Inquirer into Sudden Deaths, Udabulathgama at Nawalapitiya District General Hospital's Police Post.

Sunethra Priyanthi Wijesekara (36) said in evidence that Gamage was her husband and they had three children. Gamage worked in a hotel in the town and visited home in Raxawa every other day. On the day of the incident he had boarded the Dolosbage bound C.T.B. bus at 6.45 p.m from Nawalapitiya. When the bus was halted at Kalugalheenna for passengers to alight from the bus the victim had got down on to the main road.

Prior to that the driver had warned the passengers saying that he saw a reptile crossing the road.

Thereafter Gamage got into the bus and kept his foot on the bonnet. When questioned whether the serpent stung him he said "No".

He had got down at Raxawa to go home when he rolled down the steps. He was unable to talk. He was rushed to the Nawalapitiya District Gen. Hospital where he was found dead.

JMO Dr. Ranjith Dissanayake performed the autopsy.

Sgt. Jayasinghe 33848 led evidence. The coroner returned a verdict of death due to a bite.

Price of fish skyrockets fishermen's income dwindles

by K. A. Perera - Wadduwa special corr.

Although it is the Ma-del season in the Western Province, the Payagala, Beruwala and Wadduwa areas, well known for their large catch is facing worst period in this year. The Sunday Observer understands that due to unprecedented erosion after the tsunami catastrophe, there is a shortfall in the catch.

Thirty metres of the seashore have been washed away including areas that the fishing boat were anchored.

Meanwhile, the price of fish in Kalutara and Wadduwa markets has skyrocketed. According to a survey conducted by the Sunday Observer 500 grams of superior quality seer fish is sold at Rs. 350.

The small varieties of fish are not available in plenty as in previous years due to unfavourable weather condition. The fishermen of Kalutara, Wadduwa and Kalamulla said that their income had dwindled due to their poor 'catch' this season.

Meanwhile, the price of vegetables and of rice have risen and they are beyond the reach of ordinary masses.

The consumers urged that the Ministry of trade should take action to provide consumer items at a reasonable price through co-operative outlets.

Unhygienic state of affairs in market

by K.A. Perera, Wadduwa Special Corr.

The public and the staff of the Wadduwa Post-office complain of the unbearable fowl odour that emanates from the meat and fish stalls in the public market of Wadduwa. The whole area stinks throughout the day and the vegetable sellers of the Wadduwa public market complain of the unhygienic condition of the fish-stalls.

The polluted water of the fish-stalls stagnate by the side of public market and the Public Health Inspectors remains silent although there were regular complaints from the public.

The public and the postal employees request the chairman of Panadura Pradeshiya to look into this problem and bring relief.

Gardening in schools to help in food drive

by W.P.B. Fonseka, Bingiriya Group Corr.

On the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha, the Minister of Education, the school principals of the Kurunegala district have taken steps to start gardening in their school premises with the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, coconut and herbs.

D.M. Somapala, a senior school principal of the Bingiriya electorate told the Sunday Observer that more than 3,500 school garden projects would be set up accordingly and the Department of Agrarian Services has consented in providing quality seeds and plants free for this purpose.

Schoolteachers who teach the subject of Agriculture will be provided instruction at special seminars by the Ministry of Agriculture at electoral level and students will be given practical training.

Students who reap better harvests will be awarded special cash prizes and certificates. Principal Somapala said that school principals have been instructed to allocate more time from their timetables for practical work in agriculture and all steps should be taken to make our country self-sufficient in food during the next few years with the help of almost all communities in Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated Rs. 4.5 million for carrying out this project in schools next year, he said.