Chinese group here to identify land for industrial zone

Chief accountant of Tourism Ministry W. Wimalasena handing over the car to Assistant Secretary to the Chief Ministry office of North Central Province Sugath Nayanannda.

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Chief Medical Officer Dr.

The people of Deraniyagala have been warned about the spread of chikungunya in the area.

Sri Lanka has won kudos as being the first among all South East Asian countries which had successfully controlled the Malaria epidemic. Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said.

A water supply scheme costing Rs. 3,500 million is to be constructed for the benefit of 50,000 families in the Muttur area.

The newly-constructed eight km of low maintenance, durable roads and drainage structures in the Pottuvil, Ampara district, funded by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) were opened recently, said a US Embassy press release. In the past, the roads flooded and became almost impassable; today, with the professionally-constructed roads and drainage structures, residents and visitors can travel with ease. The finished roads have had a major impact on the community in Pottuvil. Because the roads are now paved, the reduction of dust in the town is significant. Additionally, the local population's access to many essential services, including schools, health clinics and places of worship, has been dramatically improved by the new transportation systems. USAID, the US Government agency in charge of delivering development assistance from the American people, funded the project, and UNOPS implemented its construction. For the opening ceremony, USAID and UNOPS welcomed representatives from local government and the community. They were joined by A.H.M. Ansar, Divisional Secretary A.L.M. Asmy, Assistant Divisional Secretary, A.L. Mohamed Rauf, Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, and A.M. Abdul Majeed, Opposition Leader, Pradeshiya Sabha, Mike Gould, Senior Engineer from USAID was joined by Rainer Frauenfeld, Fergus Gleeson and Fraser Sparks from UNOPS. The project began in September 2006, with the initial work being done on the construction yard in Pottuvil. In December 2006, work began on a concrete block casting yard. In March 2007, the concrete blocks produced at the casting yard were used to begin the road construction. In December 2007, just over one year after the project began, the entire eight km network of roads and drainage systems was successfully completed. The end result did more than just produce roads and drainage, it created jobs and experience. It also built human capital. The concrete block construction yard created in excess of 50,000 labour days with a workforce of some 400 labourers, significantly improving individual livelihoods and the overall economy of the tsunami and conflict-affected Pottuvil.

A new variety of high yield green gram has been produced by the Agriculture Research Station at Maha iluppallama in Anuradhapura. This is known as M.I. 06 green gram. It gives a bumper harvest of 1,500 kilogrammes when one hectare is brought under green gram cultivation within 55 days. The plant does not require much water for cultivation.

Indian Govt counters environmental concerns Hit hard by the flip flop over the

The Bata Atha agro technological farm was set up as a tribute to the farmers of Ruhunu Magam Pattu, said the Minister of Ports and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa. The Minister was addressing a meeting at Siyabalaheddewa in Weeraketiya DS area that followed the opening of several common amenities including a housing scheme set up by the Southern Development Authority (SDA) under the Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma programme. Rs. 3,197,037.80 were spent for the projects. The Minister said that the farmer community is the lifeblood of the nation and that it is the community that produces the staple food, rice. They are an asset and a legacy for a nation. We provide them necessary facilities and protect them like precious gems. He said the farming community has a lot of things to learn from the agro technology farm at Bata Atha. I request them to visit it in order to learn the latest technology in farming. The Minister said late D. A. Rajapaksa was instrumental in setting up the Chandrikawewa reservoir at Embilipitiya. That was also a tribute for the farming community. He said 4,000 villages are being developed in Sri Lanka under the Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma programme. The SDA has been entrusted with several villages under the programme in Hambantota district. The Minister said President Mahinda Rajapaksa became President in 2005. He is a leader with farsighted policies as such the people decided to elect him President. He said President's farsightedness has brought the NE conflict almost to an end. The cost of living has risen as a result of a colossal sum of money spent in this endeavour. The Minister said the people of Deduru Oya grow gotukola and earn a substantial income from it. They export them to America through an agency. In America they convert gotu kola into powder and tablets and export them to Sri Lanka. Ranjith Gunasekera Chairman and Director General SDA said that the Siyabalaheddewa village is an underdeveloped village which was known to him since 1970. A period of transition has occurred in the village with projects implemented under the Jathika Saviya Maga Neguma programme. He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is familiar with the less fortunate downtrodden masses implements development programmes to elevate them to the status of the haves. The Minister said we summoned the Jana Sabha to identify the priorities that need development in the village of Siyabalaheddewa. We as SDA utilised funds provided to us for fruitful purposes and the people reap the benefits of it. The Chief Coordinating Secretary to the President Upul Dissanayaka, Coordinator to the President Wasantha Gunasekera, SPC Minister V. K. Indika and SPC Chairman Somawansa Kodagoda were present.