Virtusa Corporation, a global information technology services company launched the company

The drainage system in Weligama town is another failed project in the south that creates a health hazard and a death trap in the town with a thick population. The residents of the area said the ill advised project that cost Rs.4.5 million is an eyesore in the town and a waste of foreign aid.

Dengue fever is raising its ugly head in the Batticaloa district. Statistically 128 dengue positive cases were reported this year and two of the patients died. Provincial Director of Health Services Dr. M. Devarajan said the most number of patients were reported from the Batticaloa Health Officer

The Health Ministry will resume the school Rubella Immunization Programme after a re-assessment of the programme on the recommendations of the WHO, departmental and epidemiological inquiries, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage said.

The agriculture and plantations sectors in the country from the time of the coffee blight ravaged coffee plantations in the early 19th century have been affected by pests. The Mealy Bug or Piti Makuna is the latest that endangered the papaw cultivations in the country and spread to other crops.

The Flying Squad of Ampara District Forest Conservation Office, within an hour of its inception seized three lorry loads of timber valued at over Rs.1, 000,000 each in transit with measurements different from those given in the permit. The raid was conducted by District Forest Officer in Ampara, Lalith Gamage on information received by him.

Dengue fever is raising its ugly head in the Kandy district again. Addressing the recent District Coordinating Committee, Director of Health Services Kandy Dr. S. Gamage said several positive cases of dengue were reported from the district and three patients died of the disease.

The country

Matale Municipal Council yesterday issued the final notice under the regulations to prevent mosquito breeding to bring Dengue fever under control which is spreading in epidemic proportions. The Chief Public Health Inspector, Matale, R. M. Madduma Bandara said a team of PHIs were deployed to create public awareness in this regard.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday advised the Urban Development Ministry and the Environment Ministry to get together and prepare a Combined National Policy Act and present it to Parliament on how to dispose garbage in Colombo City and suburbs.

During a meeting held at Temple Trees, the President instructed them to identify land for this purpose immediately.