කොච්චිකඩේ විශේෂ - ඩී. මිහිදුකුල
කැස්බෑවුන් දෙදෙනකු මරා මස්කර අලෙවියට සූදානම් කරමින් සිටි තැනැත්තකු මීගමුව මහේස්ත්රාත් අධිකරණයට ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබුණි. වරද පිළිගත් චූදිතට මීගමුව ප්රධාන මහේස්ත්රාත් ඒ. එම්. එන්. පී. අමරසිංහ මහතා රු: 15000ක දඩයක් ගෙවන ලෙස නියෝග කළේය. මෙසේ දඩ ගෙවීමට නියෝග ලැබුවේ මීගමුව පදිංචිකරුවකුට ය.
සැකකරු කුඩාපාඩුව වෙරළ තීරයේදී කැස්බෑවුන් දෙදෙනකු මරා මස්කර අලෙවි කිරීමට සූදානම් වන බවට මීගමුව පොලිසියේ පාරිසරික ඒකකයට තොරතුරක් ලැබුණි. පාරිසරික ඒකකයේ ස්ථානාධිපති පොලිස් පරීක්ෂක සිරිල් ප්රනාන්දු, පොලිස් සැරයන්වරුන් වන 19061 මර්වින්, 1117 බන්දුල, පොලිස් කොස්තාපල්වරුන් වන 82687 ලියනගේ 33011 විපුල, පොලිස් කොස්තාපල් රියැදුරු 78763 අනුරුද්ධ යන නිලධාරි කණ්ඩායම මේ වැටලීමට සහභාගී වූහ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/04/_art.asp?fn=r1201044
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Southern Expressway - Illegal activities
දකුණු අධ්වේගී මඟේ නීතිවිරෝධීව ගෙනා හරක් මස් කිලෝ 1450ක් අත්අඩංගුවට
දික්වැල්ලේ තිලකරත්න ගාල්ල උතුර සමුහ
දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ දී ගාල්ලේ සිට වත්තල දක්වා නීතිවිරෝධී ලෙස ලොරියකින් ප්රවාහනය කළ ගව මස් කිලෝ 1450 ක් සහ සැකකරුවන් දෙදෙනකු අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ පින්නදූව පොලිස් ඒකකය මගින් අත්අඩංගුවට ගෙන තිබේ.
දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ මෙවැනි ජාවාරමක් අල්ලාගත් ප්රථම අවස්ථාව මෙය වෙයි.සැකකරුවන් ගාල්ල මහේස්ත්රාත්වරයා වෙත ඉදිරිපත් කිරීමෙන් පසුව රු.20000ක දඩ නියම කිරීමෙන් පසු නිදහස් කර ඇත. පින්නදුව පොලිස් ඒකකයේ ස්ථානාධිපති පොලිස් පරීක්ෂක රංජිත්, උප පොලිස් පරීක්ෂක ලියනආරච්චි, පො.කො. ඉඳුනිල් 56613 පො.කො. සුරංග 64244 යන නිලධාරිහූ වැටලීම සිදුකළහ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/04/_art.asp?fn=n12010413
දික්වැල්ලේ තිලකරත්න ගාල්ල උතුර සමුහ
දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ දී ගාල්ලේ සිට වත්තල දක්වා නීතිවිරෝධී ලෙස ලොරියකින් ප්රවාහනය කළ ගව මස් කිලෝ 1450 ක් සහ සැකකරුවන් දෙදෙනකු අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ පින්නදූව පොලිස් ඒකකය මගින් අත්අඩංගුවට ගෙන තිබේ.
දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ මෙවැනි ජාවාරමක් අල්ලාගත් ප්රථම අවස්ථාව මෙය වෙයි.සැකකරුවන් ගාල්ල මහේස්ත්රාත්වරයා වෙත ඉදිරිපත් කිරීමෙන් පසුව රු.20000ක දඩ නියම කිරීමෙන් පසු නිදහස් කර ඇත. පින්නදුව පොලිස් ඒකකයේ ස්ථානාධිපති පොලිස් පරීක්ෂක රංජිත්, උප පොලිස් පරීක්ෂක ලියනආරච්චි, පො.කො. ඉඳුනිල් 56613 පො.කො. සුරංග 64244 යන නිලධාරිහූ වැටලීම සිදුකළහ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/04/_art.asp?fn=n12010413
Lotus Tower - multi-functional tower (2 items)
‘නෙළුම් කුළුණ’ ඉදිකිරීමට චීන සමාගම් 2ක් සමඟ ගිවිසුමක්
* වියදම රුපියල් කෝටි 1147යි
මහින්ද අලුත්ගෙදර
ඇමෙරිකානු ඩොලර් මිලියන 104.3 (රුපියල් කෝටි 1147.3 ක) වියදමින් ඉදි කිරීමට යෝජිත නෙළුම් කුළුණ හා විනෝදාස්වාදය සපයන සේවා මධ්යස්ථාන ව්යාපෘතියේ ඉදිකිරීම් කටයුතු ආරම්භ කිරීමට අදාළ ගිවිසුම සඳහා අස්සන් තැබීම ඊයේ සිදු කැරිණි. මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීම සඳහා චීන සමාගම් දෙකක් අතර ගිවිසුමට අස්සන් කිරීම මෙහිදී සිදු කෙරුණු අතර විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ අධ්යක්ෂ ජනරාල් අනූෂ පැල්පිට, චීනයේ එරෝස්පේස් ලෝන්ග් මාර්ච් ඉන්ටර්නැෂනල් ට්රේඩ් කෝපරේෂන්හි සභාපති ගියු ෂැපින් හා චයිනා නැෂනල් ඉලෙක්ටේරානික් ඉම්පෝටන් ඇන්ඩ් එක්ස්පෝට්හි සභාපති චෙන් එක්යු මහත්වරු ඊට අස්සන් කළහ. ශ්රී ලංකා විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේදී අස්සන් තැබීම සිදුවිය.
මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීම සඳහා ඇමැති මණ්ඩල අනුමැතිය ලැබී තිබෙන අතර ශ්රී ලංකා විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාව ඒ සඳහා ප්රතිපාදන වෙන් කරන බවත් චීන සමාගම් දෙක ඉදි කිරීම් බාරව ක්රියා කරන බවත් විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ අධ්යක්ෂ ජනරාල් අනූෂ පැල්පිට මහතා පවසයි. කොළඹ ඩී.ආර් විජයවර්ධන මාවතේ පිහිටි හෙක්ටාර 3.06 ක භූමියක මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කෙරෙන අතර නෙළුම් කුළුණ මීටර් 350 ක උසකින් යුක්ත වෙයි. දකුණු ආසියාවේ උසම කුළුණ වශයෙන් සැළකෙන මෙය සිවු මහල් කුඩා පීතිකා සහිත නිදහස් ස්ථාවර කුළුණකින්ද මධ්යම විශ්කම්භය සහිත ආධාර කුළුණු දෙකකින්ද මහල් 8 ක් සහිත කුළුණු ශීර්ෂයකින්ද සමන්විත වෙයි.
ඊට අමතරව වානේ රාමුව සහිත ඇන්ටෙනා කුඹයකින්ද සමන්විතයි. මේ මහල් 8 කින් සමන්විත කුළුණ, නැරඹුම් මැදිරිය, කැරකෙන භෝජනාගාරයක්, අමුත්තන් 1000 කට සහභාගි විය හැකි ශාලාවක්, ගිනි අනාවරණය කිරීම හා ගිනි නිවීම, අධි සංචිත ටැංකි හා විදුලි සංදේශ උපකරණ රැසකින් සමන්විත වෙයි. මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීම සඳහා මොරටුව විශ්ව විද්යාලය තාක්ෂණික සහාය ලබාදෙන අතර ඒ සඳහා මුල්ගල තැබීම ලබන (20) දා සිදු කෙරෙන බවත් වසර දෙකහමාරකින් එහි ඉදිකිරීම් අවසන් කිරීමට බලාපොරොත්තු වන බවත් විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාව කියයි.
මේ මඟින් ගුවන් විදුලි සේවා සපයන්නන් 50 කට, රූපවාහිනී සේවා සපයන්නන් 50 කට සහ විදුලි සංදේශ සේවා සපයන්නන් 20 කට පහසුකම් ලබා ගත හැකි වන අතර ඒ මඟින් කොළඹ නගරයේ විවිධ ගොඩනැඟිලිවල ස්ථාපිත කර තිබෙන එෆ්.එම් ඇන්ටෙනා අවම කිරීමට හැකිවන බවද විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාව පවසයි. ශ්රී ලංකා විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ සභාපති හා ජනාධිපති ලේකම් ලලිත් වීරතුංග හා විදේශ කටයුතු අමාත්යාංශයේ ලේකම් කරුණාතිලක අමුණුගම මහත්වරු ඇතුළු පිරිසක් මේ අවස්ථාවට එක්ව සිටියහ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/04/_art.asp?fn=n1201048
Construction to commence on Jan 20’: Lotus Tower will be South Asia’s tallest
The construction of South Asia’s tallest multi-functional Tower ‘Lotus Tower’ will commence on January 20.
The proposed tower with an entertainment centre will be constructed at the Beira Lake water front in Colombo and the total height of the tower is 350 meters, a statement issued by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) said yesterday.
TRCSL is planning the construction of a multi-functional telecommunication tower and an Entertainment Centre which has been approved by the Cabinet.
The proposed tower will be constructed on a plot of land of 3.06 hectares, and it will be situated between the Eastern Beira Lake and D R Wijewardena Mawatha.
It is destined to be a striking city symbol and an important landmark by being the tallest Tower in South Asia. It will be a free -standing tower with a four-storey high podium; a concrete tower shaft of moderate diameter; eight storied tower head; and a steel framed antennae mast surmounted at the top.
The Tower will provide for Telecommunication and Leisure activities, and will facilitate the relaying of at least 50 separate broadcasting and telecasting services; provide facilities for about 20 service providers in telecommunication; and relaying of defence signals, and in addition indirectly contribute to the riddance and removal of high power TV & FM antenna innumerably located at various buildings in the Colombo City.
Apart from facilities related to multi-functional telecommunication activities, the tower podium will also accommodate a telecommunication museum, food courts; administrative offices; exhibition spaces and corresponding amenities.
The Tower shaft will be a hollow concrete cylinder accommodating high-speed lifts and stairs for vertical circulations, and ducts for various types of building services. The Tower head will comprise of eight floor levels accommodating an Observation Deck; Revolving Restaurant; Banquet Hall for 1,000 guests; and, two floors of super luxury hotel accommodation along with facilities for building services, which will include fire detection, fire fighting, overhead storage tanks and telecommunication instruments/ equipment etc.
The tower mast, surmounted on the tower head will provide a base for antennae of service providers in telecommunication, telecasting, broadcasting, and defence related transmissions etc. The Antennae will be installed at a height of between 250 and 350 meters above ground level, and they will cater to a range of different frequencies.
The TRCSL will finance and implement the project, with technical assistance obtained from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa. A Team of consultants led by Emeritus Prof Nimal de Silva, Prof Samita Manawadu and Prof Chitra Weddikkara of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa have provided professional advice on design, cost planning and cost control of the project. The cost of the Project is US$ 104.3 million.
A Chinese conglomerate comprising China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT) will complete the project on a Turnkey Basis, using the concept and preliminary design drawn by local architects.
The Signing Ceremony of the Construction Contract between TRCSL and the Chinese conglomerate was held yesterday at the TRCSL premises. A party of 13 Chinese high ranking officials including GuoZhaoping (President, ALIT) Chen Xu (President, CEIEC), and Lin Changhai (Chief Designer) among others, and Lalith Weeratunga (Chairman, TRCSL and Secretary to the President) was present at the Signing Ceremony.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/04/news03.asp
* වියදම රුපියල් කෝටි 1147යි
මහින්ද අලුත්ගෙදර
ඇමෙරිකානු ඩොලර් මිලියන 104.3 (රුපියල් කෝටි 1147.3 ක) වියදමින් ඉදි කිරීමට යෝජිත නෙළුම් කුළුණ හා විනෝදාස්වාදය සපයන සේවා මධ්යස්ථාන ව්යාපෘතියේ ඉදිකිරීම් කටයුතු ආරම්භ කිරීමට අදාළ ගිවිසුම සඳහා අස්සන් තැබීම ඊයේ සිදු කැරිණි. මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීම සඳහා චීන සමාගම් දෙකක් අතර ගිවිසුමට අස්සන් කිරීම මෙහිදී සිදු කෙරුණු අතර විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ අධ්යක්ෂ ජනරාල් අනූෂ පැල්පිට, චීනයේ එරෝස්පේස් ලෝන්ග් මාර්ච් ඉන්ටර්නැෂනල් ට්රේඩ් කෝපරේෂන්හි සභාපති ගියු ෂැපින් හා චයිනා නැෂනල් ඉලෙක්ටේරානික් ඉම්පෝටන් ඇන්ඩ් එක්ස්පෝට්හි සභාපති චෙන් එක්යු මහත්වරු ඊට අස්සන් කළහ. ශ්රී ලංකා විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේදී අස්සන් තැබීම සිදුවිය.
මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීම සඳහා ඇමැති මණ්ඩල අනුමැතිය ලැබී තිබෙන අතර ශ්රී ලංකා විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාව ඒ සඳහා ප්රතිපාදන වෙන් කරන බවත් චීන සමාගම් දෙක ඉදි කිරීම් බාරව ක්රියා කරන බවත් විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ අධ්යක්ෂ ජනරාල් අනූෂ පැල්පිට මහතා පවසයි. කොළඹ ඩී.ආර් විජයවර්ධන මාවතේ පිහිටි හෙක්ටාර 3.06 ක භූමියක මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කෙරෙන අතර නෙළුම් කුළුණ මීටර් 350 ක උසකින් යුක්ත වෙයි. දකුණු ආසියාවේ උසම කුළුණ වශයෙන් සැළකෙන මෙය සිවු මහල් කුඩා පීතිකා සහිත නිදහස් ස්ථාවර කුළුණකින්ද මධ්යම විශ්කම්භය සහිත ආධාර කුළුණු දෙකකින්ද මහල් 8 ක් සහිත කුළුණු ශීර්ෂයකින්ද සමන්විත වෙයි.
ඊට අමතරව වානේ රාමුව සහිත ඇන්ටෙනා කුඹයකින්ද සමන්විතයි. මේ මහල් 8 කින් සමන්විත කුළුණ, නැරඹුම් මැදිරිය, කැරකෙන භෝජනාගාරයක්, අමුත්තන් 1000 කට සහභාගි විය හැකි ශාලාවක්, ගිනි අනාවරණය කිරීම හා ගිනි නිවීම, අධි සංචිත ටැංකි හා විදුලි සංදේශ උපකරණ රැසකින් සමන්විත වෙයි. මේ ව්යාපෘතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීම සඳහා මොරටුව විශ්ව විද්යාලය තාක්ෂණික සහාය ලබාදෙන අතර ඒ සඳහා මුල්ගල තැබීම ලබන (20) දා සිදු කෙරෙන බවත් වසර දෙකහමාරකින් එහි ඉදිකිරීම් අවසන් කිරීමට බලාපොරොත්තු වන බවත් විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාව කියයි.
මේ මඟින් ගුවන් විදුලි සේවා සපයන්නන් 50 කට, රූපවාහිනී සේවා සපයන්නන් 50 කට සහ විදුලි සංදේශ සේවා සපයන්නන් 20 කට පහසුකම් ලබා ගත හැකි වන අතර ඒ මඟින් කොළඹ නගරයේ විවිධ ගොඩනැඟිලිවල ස්ථාපිත කර තිබෙන එෆ්.එම් ඇන්ටෙනා අවම කිරීමට හැකිවන බවද විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාව පවසයි. ශ්රී ලංකා විදුලි සංදේශ නියාමන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ සභාපති හා ජනාධිපති ලේකම් ලලිත් වීරතුංග හා විදේශ කටයුතු අමාත්යාංශයේ ලේකම් කරුණාතිලක අමුණුගම මහත්වරු ඇතුළු පිරිසක් මේ අවස්ථාවට එක්ව සිටියහ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/04/_art.asp?fn=n1201048
Construction to commence on Jan 20’: Lotus Tower will be South Asia’s tallest
The construction of South Asia’s tallest multi-functional Tower ‘Lotus Tower’ will commence on January 20.
The proposed tower with an entertainment centre will be constructed at the Beira Lake water front in Colombo and the total height of the tower is 350 meters, a statement issued by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) said yesterday.
TRCSL is planning the construction of a multi-functional telecommunication tower and an Entertainment Centre which has been approved by the Cabinet.
The proposed tower will be constructed on a plot of land of 3.06 hectares, and it will be situated between the Eastern Beira Lake and D R Wijewardena Mawatha.
It is destined to be a striking city symbol and an important landmark by being the tallest Tower in South Asia. It will be a free -standing tower with a four-storey high podium; a concrete tower shaft of moderate diameter; eight storied tower head; and a steel framed antennae mast surmounted at the top.
The Tower will provide for Telecommunication and Leisure activities, and will facilitate the relaying of at least 50 separate broadcasting and telecasting services; provide facilities for about 20 service providers in telecommunication; and relaying of defence signals, and in addition indirectly contribute to the riddance and removal of high power TV & FM antenna innumerably located at various buildings in the Colombo City.
Apart from facilities related to multi-functional telecommunication activities, the tower podium will also accommodate a telecommunication museum, food courts; administrative offices; exhibition spaces and corresponding amenities.
The Tower shaft will be a hollow concrete cylinder accommodating high-speed lifts and stairs for vertical circulations, and ducts for various types of building services. The Tower head will comprise of eight floor levels accommodating an Observation Deck; Revolving Restaurant; Banquet Hall for 1,000 guests; and, two floors of super luxury hotel accommodation along with facilities for building services, which will include fire detection, fire fighting, overhead storage tanks and telecommunication instruments/ equipment etc.
The tower mast, surmounted on the tower head will provide a base for antennae of service providers in telecommunication, telecasting, broadcasting, and defence related transmissions etc. The Antennae will be installed at a height of between 250 and 350 meters above ground level, and they will cater to a range of different frequencies.
The TRCSL will finance and implement the project, with technical assistance obtained from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa. A Team of consultants led by Emeritus Prof Nimal de Silva, Prof Samita Manawadu and Prof Chitra Weddikkara of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa have provided professional advice on design, cost planning and cost control of the project. The cost of the Project is US$ 104.3 million.
A Chinese conglomerate comprising China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT) will complete the project on a Turnkey Basis, using the concept and preliminary design drawn by local architects.
The Signing Ceremony of the Construction Contract between TRCSL and the Chinese conglomerate was held yesterday at the TRCSL premises. A party of 13 Chinese high ranking officials including GuoZhaoping (President, ALIT) Chen Xu (President, CEIEC), and Lin Changhai (Chief Designer) among others, and Lalith Weeratunga (Chairman, TRCSL and Secretary to the President) was present at the Signing Ceremony.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/04/news03.asp
ඔළිඳමුල්ල වෙරළ තීරයට මියගිය තල්මසකු ගොඩගසා...
දියඹ මුහුදේදී අනතුරට ලක්ව මියගිය අඩි හැටක් දිගැති තල්මසකුගේ සිරුරක් ඊයේ (03 දා) අලුයම තලල්ල නාඔරුන්න ඔළිඳමුල්ල වෙරළ තීරයට ගොඩගසා තිබිණි. තල්මස් සිරුර දැක බලා ගැනීමට විශාල පිරිසක් එක්රොක් වූහ. ඡායාරූපයෙන් දැක්වෙන්නේ තල්මස් සිරුර සහ එය නැරඹීමට පැමිණි ජනතාවගෙන් කොටසකි.
ඡායාරූපය - ජයසිරි පේදුරුආරච්චි ගන්දර සමූහ
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Health Acts (2 items)
වසර 50ක් සිරවී තිබූ සෞඛ්ය අණ පනත් ඉදිරි තෙමසේ දී සම්මත කර ගන්නවා
- ඇමැති මෛත්රීපාල සිරිසේන
සන්ධ්යා කරුණාරත්න
වසර පනහක් තිස්සේ සිරවී තිබූ සෞඛ්ය අණපනත් කිහිපයක් ඉදිරි මාස තුන ඇතුළත පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට ඉදිරිපත් කර සම්මත කර ගන්නා බව සෞඛ්ය ඇමැති මෛත්රීපාල සිරිසේන මහතා පවසයි.
මෙරට ජනතාව වසර පනහක් තිස්සේ අපේක්ෂාවෙන් සිටි එම පනත් සම්මත කරගැනීමෙන් පසුව 2012 වසරේදී සෞඛ්ය ක්ෂේත්රයේ විප්ලවීය වෙනසක් සිදු කළ හැකි බව ද ඇමැතිවරයා ප්රකාශ කරයි. ඒ අනුව ජාතික ඖෂධ ප්රතිපත්තිය ඇතුළු පනත් කිහිපයක් මේ වන විට කෙටුම්පත් කර ඇති බව ද ඇමැතිවරයා ප්රකාශ කළේය.
2012 නව වසර වෙනුවෙන් සෞඛ්ය අමාත්යාංශයේ රාජකාරි ඇරඹීම සඳහා පැවැති උත්සවයට සහභාගි වෙමින් ඇමැතිවරයා ඊයේ (02) මේ බව පැවැසුවේය. නව වසරේ රාජ්ය සේවයට කැපවීමේ ප්රතිඥාව ද සියලුම කාර්ය මණ්ඩලය විසින් මෙහිදී ලබාදීම සිදුකෙරිණ.
නිදහස් සෞඛ්ය සේවාව තවදුරටත් ශක්තිමත් කර ගුණාත්මක සේවාවක් ජනතාවට ලබාදීම මේ පනත් සම්මත කිරීමේ අරමුණ වේ.
සෞඛ්ය ඇමැතිවරයා ලෙස තමාගේ කාර්ය උපරිමයෙන් ඉටු කිරීමට තමා කැප වී කටයුතු කරන බවත්, තමන්ගේ කාර්ය ඉටු කිරීමේදී කිසියම් අඩුපාඩුවක් සිදු වී ඇත්නම් එය නිවැරදි කර ගන්නවා මිස අනුන් කරන දෙය කුමක්ද යන්න සොයා බැලීම තමාගේ ප්රතිපත්තිය නොවන බවත් ඇමැතිවරයා කීය.
තමාට පැවැරී ඇති රාජකාරිය, වගකීම හා යුතුකම් ප්රශස්ත ලෙස ඉටු කිරීමට කටයුතු කරනවා වගේම සෞඛ්ය අමාත්යාංශයේ සියලුදෙනාමත් තම තමන්ට පැවැරී තිබෙන වගකීම් හා යුතුකම් ඉටු කරනු ඇතැයි තමා බලාපොරොත්තු වන්නේ යැයි ද ඇමැතිවරයා පැවැසීය.
පැය අටකට සීමා නොවූ රාජකාරියක් සෞඛ්ය අමාත්යාංශයේ සෑම නිලධාරියකුම සිදු කරන බවත්, මේ අමාත්යාංශයේ ලේකම්වරයා ඇතුළු බොහෝ නිලධාරින් රාත්රි 10 වනතුරු අමාත්යාංශය තුළ රැඳෙමින් තම රාජකාරිය මහජනතාව වෙනුවෙන් ඉටු කරන බවත් ඇමැතිවරයා කීය.
මෙරට රෝහල් පද්ධතිය ගත්තත් එහි සේවය කරන කාර්ය මණ්ඩලය පැය අටකට සීමා නොවී පැය 24 පුරාම සේවය කරන බව ද ඇමැතිවරයා පැවැසුවේය.
මේ අවස්ථාවට බස්නාහිර පළාත් ප්රධාන සංඝනායක පූජ්ය මුරුත්තෙට්ටුවේ ආනන්ද හිමි, සෞඛ්ය ලේකම් විශේෂඥ වෛද්ය රවින්ද්ර රුබේරු, අතිරේක ලේකම් වෛද්ය පාලිත මහීපාල, අතිරේක ලේකම් සරත් චන්ද්රසිරි විතාන මහත්වරු සහභාගි වූහ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=n1201033
Work on Bills, amendments completed: New Acts to boost health sector
Nadira Gunatilleke
Several Acts and amendments related to the health sector that were long overdue will be presented to Parliament within the next two months, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.
According to minister Sirisena, the new Acts and amendments will make this year a revolutionary year in the health sector.
”Work on all such Bills and amendments have been completed. The new Bills and amendments will see drastic changes in the health sector,” he said.
Minister Sirisena pointed out that the main objective of the proposed Acts and amendments is to further strengthen the free health service and offer the best service to the public through the state hospital system.
He said he is doing his best for the health sector as the Health Minister and expects officials and health staff to follow his example.
“No health sector employee can be bound by an eight hour duty.
They should carry out their duties round the clock,” minister Sirisena added.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/pol01.asp
- ඇමැති මෛත්රීපාල සිරිසේන
සන්ධ්යා කරුණාරත්න
වසර පනහක් තිස්සේ සිරවී තිබූ සෞඛ්ය අණපනත් කිහිපයක් ඉදිරි මාස තුන ඇතුළත පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට ඉදිරිපත් කර සම්මත කර ගන්නා බව සෞඛ්ය ඇමැති මෛත්රීපාල සිරිසේන මහතා පවසයි.
මෙරට ජනතාව වසර පනහක් තිස්සේ අපේක්ෂාවෙන් සිටි එම පනත් සම්මත කරගැනීමෙන් පසුව 2012 වසරේදී සෞඛ්ය ක්ෂේත්රයේ විප්ලවීය වෙනසක් සිදු කළ හැකි බව ද ඇමැතිවරයා ප්රකාශ කරයි. ඒ අනුව ජාතික ඖෂධ ප්රතිපත්තිය ඇතුළු පනත් කිහිපයක් මේ වන විට කෙටුම්පත් කර ඇති බව ද ඇමැතිවරයා ප්රකාශ කළේය.
2012 නව වසර වෙනුවෙන් සෞඛ්ය අමාත්යාංශයේ රාජකාරි ඇරඹීම සඳහා පැවැති උත්සවයට සහභාගි වෙමින් ඇමැතිවරයා ඊයේ (02) මේ බව පැවැසුවේය. නව වසරේ රාජ්ය සේවයට කැපවීමේ ප්රතිඥාව ද සියලුම කාර්ය මණ්ඩලය විසින් මෙහිදී ලබාදීම සිදුකෙරිණ.
නිදහස් සෞඛ්ය සේවාව තවදුරටත් ශක්තිමත් කර ගුණාත්මක සේවාවක් ජනතාවට ලබාදීම මේ පනත් සම්මත කිරීමේ අරමුණ වේ.
සෞඛ්ය ඇමැතිවරයා ලෙස තමාගේ කාර්ය උපරිමයෙන් ඉටු කිරීමට තමා කැප වී කටයුතු කරන බවත්, තමන්ගේ කාර්ය ඉටු කිරීමේදී කිසියම් අඩුපාඩුවක් සිදු වී ඇත්නම් එය නිවැරදි කර ගන්නවා මිස අනුන් කරන දෙය කුමක්ද යන්න සොයා බැලීම තමාගේ ප්රතිපත්තිය නොවන බවත් ඇමැතිවරයා කීය.
තමාට පැවැරී ඇති රාජකාරිය, වගකීම හා යුතුකම් ප්රශස්ත ලෙස ඉටු කිරීමට කටයුතු කරනවා වගේම සෞඛ්ය අමාත්යාංශයේ සියලුදෙනාමත් තම තමන්ට පැවැරී තිබෙන වගකීම් හා යුතුකම් ඉටු කරනු ඇතැයි තමා බලාපොරොත්තු වන්නේ යැයි ද ඇමැතිවරයා පැවැසීය.
පැය අටකට සීමා නොවූ රාජකාරියක් සෞඛ්ය අමාත්යාංශයේ සෑම නිලධාරියකුම සිදු කරන බවත්, මේ අමාත්යාංශයේ ලේකම්වරයා ඇතුළු බොහෝ නිලධාරින් රාත්රි 10 වනතුරු අමාත්යාංශය තුළ රැඳෙමින් තම රාජකාරිය මහජනතාව වෙනුවෙන් ඉටු කරන බවත් ඇමැතිවරයා කීය.
මෙරට රෝහල් පද්ධතිය ගත්තත් එහි සේවය කරන කාර්ය මණ්ඩලය පැය අටකට සීමා නොවී පැය 24 පුරාම සේවය කරන බව ද ඇමැතිවරයා පැවැසුවේය.
මේ අවස්ථාවට බස්නාහිර පළාත් ප්රධාන සංඝනායක පූජ්ය මුරුත්තෙට්ටුවේ ආනන්ද හිමි, සෞඛ්ය ලේකම් විශේෂඥ වෛද්ය රවින්ද්ර රුබේරු, අතිරේක ලේකම් වෛද්ය පාලිත මහීපාල, අතිරේක ලේකම් සරත් චන්ද්රසිරි විතාන මහත්වරු සහභාගි වූහ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=n1201033
Work on Bills, amendments completed: New Acts to boost health sector
Nadira Gunatilleke
Several Acts and amendments related to the health sector that were long overdue will be presented to Parliament within the next two months, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.
According to minister Sirisena, the new Acts and amendments will make this year a revolutionary year in the health sector.
”Work on all such Bills and amendments have been completed. The new Bills and amendments will see drastic changes in the health sector,” he said.
Minister Sirisena pointed out that the main objective of the proposed Acts and amendments is to further strengthen the free health service and offer the best service to the public through the state hospital system.
He said he is doing his best for the health sector as the Health Minister and expects officials and health staff to follow his example.
“No health sector employee can be bound by an eight hour duty.
They should carry out their duties round the clock,” minister Sirisena added.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/pol01.asp
BMC now a profit making institution
by Lal Gunesekera
Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando said that the loss incurring Building Material Corporation (BMC), since it came under his purview in 2010, has made a profit of Rs. 50 million last year (2011).
He said that the BMC was running at a Rs. 20 million loss in 2010, but he managed to turn it around into a profit making institution. The BMC made a profit of only Rs. 2.1 million in 1999, while the turn over in 2010 was Rs. 250 million, and Rs. 990 million last year.
Minister Fernando said that the BMC was to be closed down, but President Mahinda Rajapaksa had entrusted him with the task of improving the institution and making it a profitable venture, which he as the Minister has been successful.
He said that Treasury assistance was sought earlier to meet the wages of the employees, and that he was happy it was not so now. He thanked BMC Chairman Pavara Dassanayake and workforce.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42407
Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando said that the loss incurring Building Material Corporation (BMC), since it came under his purview in 2010, has made a profit of Rs. 50 million last year (2011).
He said that the BMC was running at a Rs. 20 million loss in 2010, but he managed to turn it around into a profit making institution. The BMC made a profit of only Rs. 2.1 million in 1999, while the turn over in 2010 was Rs. 250 million, and Rs. 990 million last year.
Minister Fernando said that the BMC was to be closed down, but President Mahinda Rajapaksa had entrusted him with the task of improving the institution and making it a profitable venture, which he as the Minister has been successful.
He said that Treasury assistance was sought earlier to meet the wages of the employees, and that he was happy it was not so now. He thanked BMC Chairman Pavara Dassanayake and workforce.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42407
Breast implant scandal: ‘Remove all faulty implants’
If the rupture rate with PIP implants is “unacceptably high” they should all be removed, said Tim Goodacre, a surgeon. But who will fund the cost?
By Stephen Adams
Tim Goodacre, one of the members of the government-commissioned panel investigating the scandal, said that rupture rates found by the country’s biggest cosmetic surgery company were ‘unacceptable’.
Mr Goodacre, president of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and an Oxford University lecturer, said that if the panel confirmed the findings – in which almost one in 14 implants had leaked – then they should all be taken out in every case.
"With this sort of level of implant failure, particularly with this sort of material that isn’t medical grade, it’s sensible that they be removed," he told The Daily Telegraph. "I think that would be a reasonable way forward."
Read full article: http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42371
© The Telegraph Group London 2012
Northern development: Govt embarks on Palmyrah research in North
Chamikara Weerasinghe
Steps are currently being taken by the government to uplift the palmyrah industry in the Northern Province with a Palmyrah Research Plan, to take the industry to a global platform. Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry sources yesterday said steps are currently underway to enable the industry to access global export markets, sources at Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry yesterday said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized the importance of developing the Palmyrah plantation sector in the North.
“The Palmyrah industry which in 1995 due to the terrorist war in the North, is now on the verge of being upgraded to a global platform,” said Secretary of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry V Sivagnanasothi.
“The ministry has formulated a comprehensive Palmyrah Plantation Research Plan to be implemented in 2012 on the guidelines of the Economic Development Ministry.”
Meanwhile, moves are under way to open the Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithadi, Jaffna, which was defunct from 1995 due to the situation of war.
Sivangnanasothi said they will be able to start functions of the Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithadi before the end of March, 2011.
“Most of the construction has been completed. Government has spent Rs 21 million for the renovation and reconstruction of the building, “ he said. “The Palmyrah Plantation Research Institute will get research equipment worth Rs 70 million. The government of India is to provide funds for this under Indian Small Grant Development Programme,” he said. He said about the Palmyrah Plantation Research Plan, that it was prepared with the support and the guidance of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
“It is envisioned to introduce preservation techniques for palmyrah based products such as palmyrah pulp and jaggery,” he said.
It seeks to develop value added products and new products such as vinegar, charcoal, soft drinks, and cordials.
”We want to ensure maximum utilization of palmyrah resources to get access to the global export market with our products,” he said.
“We expect a tremendous outcome from the palmyrah industry in terms of employment generation in the North,” he said.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news03.asp
Steps are currently being taken by the government to uplift the palmyrah industry in the Northern Province with a Palmyrah Research Plan, to take the industry to a global platform. Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry sources yesterday said steps are currently underway to enable the industry to access global export markets, sources at Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry yesterday said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized the importance of developing the Palmyrah plantation sector in the North.
“The Palmyrah industry which in 1995 due to the terrorist war in the North, is now on the verge of being upgraded to a global platform,” said Secretary of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry V Sivagnanasothi.
“The ministry has formulated a comprehensive Palmyrah Plantation Research Plan to be implemented in 2012 on the guidelines of the Economic Development Ministry.”
Meanwhile, moves are under way to open the Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithadi, Jaffna, which was defunct from 1995 due to the situation of war.
Sivangnanasothi said they will be able to start functions of the Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithadi before the end of March, 2011.
“Most of the construction has been completed. Government has spent Rs 21 million for the renovation and reconstruction of the building, “ he said. “The Palmyrah Plantation Research Institute will get research equipment worth Rs 70 million. The government of India is to provide funds for this under Indian Small Grant Development Programme,” he said. He said about the Palmyrah Plantation Research Plan, that it was prepared with the support and the guidance of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
“It is envisioned to introduce preservation techniques for palmyrah based products such as palmyrah pulp and jaggery,” he said.
It seeks to develop value added products and new products such as vinegar, charcoal, soft drinks, and cordials.
”We want to ensure maximum utilization of palmyrah resources to get access to the global export market with our products,” he said.
“We expect a tremendous outcome from the palmyrah industry in terms of employment generation in the North,” he said.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news03.asp
To Sell or Not: The pros and cons of privatisation
By John Quiggin, author of Zombie Economics and Professor of Economics at the University of Queensland.
SELLING public enterprises to private businesses was a central theme of economic policy in many countries during the final decades of the 20th century and in the years leading up to the global financial crisis of 2008.
Although the push for privatization took different forms in different parts of the world, it was part of a broader movement aimed at reducing the role of government in the economy and at increasing reliance on markets and prices. In particular, the movement toward privatization reflected the presumed superiority of financial markets over governments in allocating capital.
In the wake of the financial market breakdowns that characterized the global crisis, though, much of the theoretical and policy rationale for privatization has come into question. On the other hand, the adoption of austerity programs aimed at reducing public debt has led to increased focus on the sale of publicly owned assets as a way to reduce that debt, for example, in Europe.
The balance between the public and private sector is always changing, so privatization is not of itself good or bad. The only general answer to the question of whether to sell public assets is: "It depends." Before looking at the central arguments that determine the desirability of privatization in any given case, it is useful to consider the policy in its historical context.
A global phenomenon
For most of the 20th century, the range of economic activities undertaken by government generally expanded—a result both of nationalization and of the establishment of new government enterprises where private sector provision was seen as inadequate. This trend reversed toward the end of the century.
In the English-speaking world, the United Kingdom led the way in this reversal. The privatization programs of the government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher represented a rejection of the previous consensus on the role of government in a mixed economy, a consensus widely seen as having failed in the economic chaos of the 1970s.
In addition to selling existing assets, the Thatcher government pioneered new approaches to private provision of new public infrastructure, often referred to as public-private partnerships (PPPs). In a typical PPP arrangement, public infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, is built and operated by private firms under long-term contracts; the associated health and education services are provided by the government.
Privatization took place on a larger scale in the last decade of the century, following the collapse of communism in Russia and eastern Europe—where all large enterprises and many small ones were publicly owned and subject, at least nominally, to central planning. The development of a market economy required the transfer of most of these enterprises to private ownership.
In the developing world, the general movement toward privatization was hastened by an emphasis on asset sales as an essential element of structural adjustment programs financed by the IMF and other international agencies.
The pace of privatization slowed in the 2000s, as governments ran out of easily salable assets and problems with earlier privatization emerged.
Perhaps the most striking examples of those problems were in the United Kingdom. Following a series of serious train accidents and ongoing questions about safety and performance, the government renationalized Railtrack, the privatized owner of the nation’s rail network. A few years later, the partial privatization of the London Underground network, through a PPP arrangement, was plagued by mismanagement in one of the private companies responsible for operating the subway. Like the rail network, the London subway was renationalized. More recently, the U.K. Private Finance Initiative, responsible for PPPs at the national level, has come under severe criticism from members of Parliament, including government ministers.
The appeal of infrastructure built with no apparent cost to the public has been replaced by the reality of the need to service a large debt at the rates of return demanded by private investors in such projects—usually substantially higher than government bond interest rates.
A temporary reversal
A big reversal in the trend toward privatization occurred immediately after the global financial crisis began in 2008. Banks in the United States and Europe were rescued by their national governments on terms that amounted to nationalization, either implicitly or explicitly. Interestingly, some of these same banks had been leading advocates of privatization, which a number continued to support even when they were in public ownership. The process went beyond banks in the United States, where General Motors, long emblematic of private enterprise, was temporarily nationalized to prevent its failure. With the emergence of sovereign debt problems as a central policy concern, however, privatization is back on the agenda. Selling assets seems to be an easy way for governments to raise cash. Meanwhile, economic arguments about the costs and benefits of private and public ownership remain unresolved, and have been further complicated by the challenges to economic theory posed by the financial crisis.
While there are many arguments for and against privatization in particular cases, in general the most common argument for privatization is that it provides hard-pressed governments with a source of ready cash. But this argument is not as clearcut as it might seem. Selling an asset yields an immediate financial benefit, but it requires governments to forgo the earnings or services the asset would otherwise have generated.
The obvious question is whether the proceeds from selling an asset are more or less than the value of the earnings forgone. In principle, this is a straightforward question. We can look at the amount of interest saved if the proceeds from the sale were used to repay public debt and compare those savings to the earnings that would be generated under continued public ownership. Alternatively, but equivalently, we can convert a projected stream of future earnings into a present value, discounted at the rate of interest on public debt. If the proceeds from the sale exceed the present value of forgone earnings, privatization has improved the government’s fiscal position.
There are two factors that will determine the outcome of an exercise of this kind:
First is the operational efficiency of the firm under private and public ownership. In general, a firm operating in a competitive market will do better under private ownership. However, if the market requires extensive regulation—to deal with monopoly or externality problems—the advantages of private ownership are diminished and may disappear.
Second is the relative cost of capital, taking appropriate account of risk. In general, even after allowing for default risk, governments can borrow more cheaply than private firms. This cost saving may or may not outweigh the operational efficiency gains usually associated with private ownership.
Still, it remains relatively rare to see privatization subjected to this simple empirical test. I have analyzed a number of Australian and British privatizations of the 1980s and 1990s and found that very few of them increased public sector net worth (Quiggin, 1995; 2010). The privatizations undertaken by the Thatcher government, widely applauded at the time, were among the worst in terms of their effects on the net worth of the public sector. Most notable was the sale of 50 percent of British Telecom for a mere ?3.7 billion, at a time when its pretax earnings were about ?2.5 billion a year.
Public sector suffers
There are a number of reasons why privatizations have left public sector net worth less well off. In some cases, including that of British Telecom, governments have deliberately underpriced assets for political reasons. Particularly in the case of a public sale of stock in an enterprise, governments often want to ensure that the share issue is fully subscribed and that buyers do not lose money through a decline in the share price. Both these incentives lead to underpricing.
Worse still, as in parts of the former Soviet Union, are cases in which the privatization process was corrupted. In many cases, small numbers of people have gained control of vast assets, while the public got little in return. Cases of this kind pose a sharp dilemma. On the one hand, it is undesirable to have public assets operated by a corrupt and unaccountable government. On the other hand, when such governments are put in charge of the sale of public assets, even larger losses accrue all at once.
But even where governments are motivated to seek the full market price for public assets, the benefits of lower debt often fail to match the cost of forgone earnings. The problem is that investors generally demand a substantially higher return on equity capital than on the high-grade debt issued by governments. This differential—called the equity premium—cannot be explained simply by the fact that returns on equity are riskier. Twenty-five years of analysis of the so-called equity premium puzzle has failed to produce a fully satisfactory explanation for its existence.
In most sectors of the economy, the higher cost of equity capital is more than offset by the fact that private firms are run more efficiently, and therefore more profitably, than government enterprises. But enterprises owned by governments are usually capital intensive and often have monopoly power that entails close external regulation, regardless of ownership. In these situations, the scope to increase profitability is limited, and the lower value of the asset to a private owner is reflected in the higher rate of return demanded by equity investors.
When it makes sense
Sometimes the sale of public assets as a way to raise revenue makes sense.
First, like all large organizations, governments have changing goals and objectives. Assets that were useful in one context may be superfluous in another. For example, as the U.S. military has become smaller and more professional, the need for army bases has declined, and some have been closed and sold. Rational asset management makes sense regardless of views about privatization and public ownership.
Second, some enterprises are unprofitable under public ownership, perhaps because of political constraints on such matters as hiring and firing, but can be sold to private investors who are not subject to these constraints. In cases of this kind, there is a clear fiscal benefit. However, it is important to consider whether the constraints in question are inherent in public ownership and whether the question of structural reform can be separated from that of private or public ownership.
Finally, if a government is in such dire straits that it can no longer borrow at the prevailing low rates for high-quality public debt, often it makes sense to sell income-earning assets. The interest saved is more than the earnings forgone. In cases of this kind, privatization may take place at fire-sale prices—not an optimal outcome. A preferable alternative is for international lenders such as the IMF to provide liquidity while efficient adjustments (including asset sales where these pass the benefit-cost test) are undertaken. In general, however, the idea that governments can improve their financial position to any significant degree by selling assets is an illusion arising from a focus on accounting numbers rather than economic realities. The economic argument for privatization is that it will lead to more socially efficient provision of goods and services, more competitive markets, and greater responsiveness to consumer needs and preferences. The strength of this argument, and of counterarguments based on market failure, varies from case to case. The strongest case for privatization arises in the wake of rescues like that of General Motors in the United States and, several decades earlier, of Rolls-Royce in the United Kingdom. Firms like these, operating in competitive markets and with no particular need for regulation, never belonged in the public sector. In the ordinary course of events, faced with severe financial difficulties, they would have gone out of business. However, given their iconic status, governments were willing to risk public money to keep them going. In both these cases, the rescue was successful and the firms were returned to private ownership.
No competition
At least in the developed world, however, such cases are rare. Most cases of public ownership across developed countries reflect the lack of many goods and services in competitive markets or special characteristics that require regulation. Infrastructure services of various kinds are commonly subject to public ownership. There are several reasons for this:
* These enterprises are usually capital intensive, so the low cost of public sector borrowing is more important.
* Infrastructure services are typically natural monopolies—a given area needs only one electricity network, water supply system, and so forth. This means that, even under private ownership, extensive regulation is needed, so the choice is between one form of government intervention and another.
* In many cases, such as that of road networks, it is difficult or impossible to impose prices that reflect the true social cost of provision.
Still, the temptation to move costly infrastructure investments off the books has proved irresistible for many governments, most notably in the case of toll roads. While toll road projects look good in an accounting sense, they are often failures in economic terms. The risk associated with owning just one part of a large road network means that private investors demand high returns. The cost of a toll road project, as measured by the discounted present value of toll revenue, is typically as much as twice the cost of a similar road financed by public debt and serviced by gasoline taxes or other indirect road user charges.
Moreover, the pattern of prices associated with toll roads is usually the opposite of what would be indicated by economic analysis. The primary cost of using a specific road is the resulting increase in congestion, which is why economists support congestion charges such as those imposed in central London. But, as in the case of London, it is typically the oldest roads that are most congested. Imposing a toll on a new, and uncrowded, road often increases the flow of traffic on older, more congested roads, reducing and sometimes wiping out the net benefits of the road project.
Health and education
Separate concerns arise with services such as health and education. For various reasons, these services are funded primarily by governments and provided either by public institutions or by private (often religiously based) nonprofit organizations. For-profit provision of health and education services has generally been problematic and, in the case of education, almost uniformly unsuccessful.
The problem in these cases is that there is no real market. The patients and students to whom health and education services are provided rarely pay directly for the services they consume. Instead, providers operate in pseudo markets created by governments and insurers. In this context, the sharp focus on profitability associated with private ownership works not to meet consumer need, but to seek out opportunities to game the system. For-profit health providers often engage in cost shifting, focusing on high-return services while pushing costly cases over to the public sector. For-profit higher education providers can exploit the weakness of student grant and loan systems. Given the weakness of market incentives, only organizations with a strong ethic of professional service can provide high-quality services such as health and education. But such an ethic cannot be wished into existence, and it rarely works perfectly; it is almost impossible to maintain a service ethic while at the same time using managerial controls to increase efficiency. Nevertheless, experience suggests that there is no alternative. Technologies and social priorities change over time, with the result that activities suitable for public ownership at one time may be candidates for privatization in another. However, the reverse is equally true. Problems in financial markets or the emergence of new technologies may call for government intervention in activities previously undertaken by private enterprise.
In summary, privatization is valid and important as a policy tool for managing public sector assets effectively, but must be matched by a willingness to undertake new public investment where it is necessary. As a policy program, the idea of large-scale privatization has had some important successes, but has reached its limits in many cases. Selling income-generating assets is rarely helpful as a way of reducing net debt. The central focus should always be on achieving the right balance between the public and private sectors. ?
References
Quiggin, John, 1995, "Does Privatization Pay?" Australian Economic Review, No. 110 (2nd quarter), pp. 23–42.
———, 2010, Zombie Economics: How Dead Ideas Still Walk Among Us (Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press).
(Courtesy Finance and Development, a periodical published by the IMF)
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42382
Three more fisheries harbours in the pipeline
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
Plans are afoot to construct modern fisheries harbours in Gandara in the Matara district, Gurunagar in the Jaffna district and Silawathura in the Mannar district to assist the economy of the country, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.
He said that the estimated cost of the constructions was 59.3 million euro and the Government of Denmark will provide funds on a long term credit facility.
He said that Ministry also plans to construct the Kalamatiya harbour at a cost of Rs. 853 million and measures have been taken to develop the fisheries harbour in Point Pedro in the Jaffna district under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and also seven others at Kudawella, Puranawella, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, Beruwala and Dikkowita at a cost of Rs. 6,834 million.
He also added that the southern coastal belt will also be developed this year which will help to improve the livelihood of the coastal fishing communities.
According to Dr. Senaratne, the development work in the fisheries sector would help to create new employment opportunities, boost fish production, increase the number of fishing vessels and provide anchoring facilities for larger vessels.
The Fisheries Ministry has also taken steps to double the present fish harvest from 385,000 tons to 686,000 tons by 2013. Sri Lanka is targeting US$ one billion in foreign exchange earnings from fisheries exports by 2020.
He said that ministry plans to increase the income from Rs. 1,020 million to Rs. 5,000 million by 2013 and to increase inland fish production to 75,000 tons. The ministry also targets to increase the fish harvest in the North and East by 50 percent by 2013.
He said that in the year 2010, the national fish production was 360,000 tons and in 2011 production was over 400,000 tons. Fishermen in the North and East contributed to 43 percent of the national fish harvest.
Currently, Sri Lanka has a malnutrition level of 21 percent among children. The per capita consumption of fish per day was only 31 grams and it has increased to 35 grams. The Ministry has set up the targets to increase it to 60 grams to eradicate malnutrition in children by 2013. Sri Lanka’s total fish production has to reach 685,000 tons in 2013 to achieve this target, Dr. Senaratne said.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42411
Plans are afoot to construct modern fisheries harbours in Gandara in the Matara district, Gurunagar in the Jaffna district and Silawathura in the Mannar district to assist the economy of the country, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.
He said that the estimated cost of the constructions was 59.3 million euro and the Government of Denmark will provide funds on a long term credit facility.
He said that Ministry also plans to construct the Kalamatiya harbour at a cost of Rs. 853 million and measures have been taken to develop the fisheries harbour in Point Pedro in the Jaffna district under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and also seven others at Kudawella, Puranawella, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, Beruwala and Dikkowita at a cost of Rs. 6,834 million.
He also added that the southern coastal belt will also be developed this year which will help to improve the livelihood of the coastal fishing communities.
According to Dr. Senaratne, the development work in the fisheries sector would help to create new employment opportunities, boost fish production, increase the number of fishing vessels and provide anchoring facilities for larger vessels.
The Fisheries Ministry has also taken steps to double the present fish harvest from 385,000 tons to 686,000 tons by 2013. Sri Lanka is targeting US$ one billion in foreign exchange earnings from fisheries exports by 2020.
He said that ministry plans to increase the income from Rs. 1,020 million to Rs. 5,000 million by 2013 and to increase inland fish production to 75,000 tons. The ministry also targets to increase the fish harvest in the North and East by 50 percent by 2013.
He said that in the year 2010, the national fish production was 360,000 tons and in 2011 production was over 400,000 tons. Fishermen in the North and East contributed to 43 percent of the national fish harvest.
Currently, Sri Lanka has a malnutrition level of 21 percent among children. The per capita consumption of fish per day was only 31 grams and it has increased to 35 grams. The Ministry has set up the targets to increase it to 60 grams to eradicate malnutrition in children by 2013. Sri Lanka’s total fish production has to reach 685,000 tons in 2013 to achieve this target, Dr. Senaratne said.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42411
PUC still awaiting Treasury response
Bearing up CEB losses
By Ifham Nizam
The Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka is waiting for the written response from the Treasury Department regarding its readiness to bear any loss incurred by the Ceylon Electricity Board.
PUCSL Chairman Jayatissa de Costa told The Island yesterday that the commission has given seven alternatives to the Treasury on CEB losses.
PUCSL submitted proposals regarding the increase of electricity tariffs by January 1. However, De Costa says it is up to the Treasury to decide whether to increase tariff charges or subsidize it.
He said that they were awaiting the reply of the Treasury, he added that there is no timeframe as such and could get the response anytime.
He said that that the electricity tariff can be maintained without amendments for six months.
He rejected reports that the cut off 90 units per month for the concessionary rates will be reduced to 30 units.
As more than 78 per cent of the electricity consumers are in the low income group they use less than 90 units per month, he said.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42408
By Ifham Nizam
The Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka is waiting for the written response from the Treasury Department regarding its readiness to bear any loss incurred by the Ceylon Electricity Board.
PUCSL Chairman Jayatissa de Costa told The Island yesterday that the commission has given seven alternatives to the Treasury on CEB losses.
PUCSL submitted proposals regarding the increase of electricity tariffs by January 1. However, De Costa says it is up to the Treasury to decide whether to increase tariff charges or subsidize it.
He said that they were awaiting the reply of the Treasury, he added that there is no timeframe as such and could get the response anytime.
He said that that the electricity tariff can be maintained without amendments for six months.
He rejected reports that the cut off 90 units per month for the concessionary rates will be reduced to 30 units.
As more than 78 per cent of the electricity consumers are in the low income group they use less than 90 units per month, he said.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42408
Accident rate up
By Don Asoka Wijewardena
The accident rate had shown seven per cent increase over that of the previous year. The Colombo National Hospital had received 987 accidents victims, of different nature, from December 30 to January 1 midnight, the Accident Unit said.
Head Nurse of the Unit Puspha Ramani Ramyalatha told The Island that of 987 accident victims this year, 390 cases were admitted as against 249 last year.
She said 110 persons sought treatment due to alcohol consumption, but last year there were 80 cases. About 118 hospital transfers were made to the Colombo National Hospital from other hospitals.
She added that around 275 road traffic accidents had occurred as against 262 the previous year. There were 147 home accidents against last year’s 176. Around 183 low level falls were treated as against 133 last year. Violence accounted for 116 cases compared to last year’s 136. About 24 suicidal cases were reported. Only 12 fire-cracker accidents were taken to hospital while 4 victims of train accidents also sought treatment.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42403
The accident rate had shown seven per cent increase over that of the previous year. The Colombo National Hospital had received 987 accidents victims, of different nature, from December 30 to January 1 midnight, the Accident Unit said.
Head Nurse of the Unit Puspha Ramani Ramyalatha told The Island that of 987 accident victims this year, 390 cases were admitted as against 249 last year.
She said 110 persons sought treatment due to alcohol consumption, but last year there were 80 cases. About 118 hospital transfers were made to the Colombo National Hospital from other hospitals.
She added that around 275 road traffic accidents had occurred as against 262 the previous year. There were 147 home accidents against last year’s 176. Around 183 low level falls were treated as against 133 last year. Violence accounted for 116 cases compared to last year’s 136. About 24 suicidal cases were reported. Only 12 fire-cracker accidents were taken to hospital while 4 victims of train accidents also sought treatment.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42403
Technology Institute student intake to be increased
Chaminda Perera
The Higher Education Ministry is to increase the student intake of the Institute of Technology from 350 to 1000 by relocating it from the Moratuwa University premises to a 20 acre land in Homagama with financial assistance from the People's Republic of China.
The new Institute of Technology which is to be relocated to a land just opposite the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Homagama will have ultra modern education facilities with quarters to accommodate almost all students. The ministry yesterday signed the contract agreement with China National Aero Tcchnology Import and Export Corporation of the People's Republic of China at the Hotel Galadari for the project to relocate and develop the Institute of Technology.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake and Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navarathne were the signatories on behalf of the government while CATIC officials represented the government of China.
This institute functioning under the Moratuwa University conducts the National Diploma in Technology in various engineering fields and has won international reputation by producing high profile engineers and technicians.
Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake thanked the government of China for assisting the project.
He was of the view that the country will make tremendous progress in the field of engineering and technology once this project is completed.
He said that students following NDT courses in the civil, mechanical, electronic, chemical, marine, nautical polymer and textile fields will greatly benefit by this move.
The project which is estimated to cost US$ 89.55 million is to be completed in 33 months and will consist of administrative and academic buildings, laboratories, hostel facilities, multifunctional halls and staff development centres.
Officials of the Higher Education Ministry and University Grants Commission were present.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news04.asp
The Higher Education Ministry is to increase the student intake of the Institute of Technology from 350 to 1000 by relocating it from the Moratuwa University premises to a 20 acre land in Homagama with financial assistance from the People's Republic of China.
The new Institute of Technology which is to be relocated to a land just opposite the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Homagama will have ultra modern education facilities with quarters to accommodate almost all students. The ministry yesterday signed the contract agreement with China National Aero Tcchnology Import and Export Corporation of the People's Republic of China at the Hotel Galadari for the project to relocate and develop the Institute of Technology.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake and Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navarathne were the signatories on behalf of the government while CATIC officials represented the government of China.
This institute functioning under the Moratuwa University conducts the National Diploma in Technology in various engineering fields and has won international reputation by producing high profile engineers and technicians.
Deputy Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake thanked the government of China for assisting the project.
He was of the view that the country will make tremendous progress in the field of engineering and technology once this project is completed.
He said that students following NDT courses in the civil, mechanical, electronic, chemical, marine, nautical polymer and textile fields will greatly benefit by this move.
The project which is estimated to cost US$ 89.55 million is to be completed in 33 months and will consist of administrative and academic buildings, laboratories, hostel facilities, multifunctional halls and staff development centres.
Officials of the Higher Education Ministry and University Grants Commission were present.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news04.asp
Forest ablaze
YASARATNE GAMAGE
A forest fire broke out yesterday evening in the Wewaltalawa pine forest reserve near the Ginigathhena town in the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat area.
Nuwara Eliya Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director Erandana Hemawardana said Army and STF personnel were called to put outthe fire with the assistance of Forest Department officers in the area. The extent of the damage was yet to be estimated, said Hemawardana.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news54.asp
A forest fire broke out yesterday evening in the Wewaltalawa pine forest reserve near the Ginigathhena town in the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat area.
Nuwara Eliya Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director Erandana Hemawardana said Army and STF personnel were called to put outthe fire with the assistance of Forest Department officers in the area. The extent of the damage was yet to be estimated, said Hemawardana.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news54.asp
Southern Expressway - Public Transport begins (2 items)
දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මඟ ශ්රී ලංගම සුඛෝපභෝගී බස් රිය අද පටන්
ශීලා උඩුවර
දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ මගී ප්රවාහනය සඳහා යොදවන ශ්රී ලංගම ප්රථම අධි සුඛෝපභෝගී බස් රථය ප්රවාහන ඇමැති කුමාර වෙල්ගම මහතාගේ ප්රධානත්වයෙන් මහරගම බස් නැවතුම්පොළේදී අද (3) ධාවනයට එක්කෙරේ. මහරගම – ගාල්ල හා ගාල්ල – මහරගම අතර ධාවනය කෙරෙන මෙම බස් රථ සේවාව උදේ 6 ට, 8 ට ආදී වශයෙන් පැය දෙකින් දෙකට පස්වරු 5 දක්වා ධාවනය කෙරේ.
මහරගම සිට ගාල්ලට රුපියල් 400 ක් ද, කොට්ටාව සිට ගාල්ලට රුපියල් 380 ක් ද, ගමන් ගාස්තුව වෙයි.
අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ ධාවනයට සුදුසු පරිදි සකස් කර ඇති මෙම බස් රථ සියලු මගීන් සඳහා ආරක්ෂිත ආසන පටි, රූපවාහිනි යන්ත්ර, ස්වයංක්රීය දොර, ජනේල, ඩිජිටල් නාමපුවරු ආදියෙන් සමන්විතය.
ප්රථම අදියරට බස් රථ දෙකක් යොදවන අතර පසුව අවශ්යතාවය අනුව එම ප්රමාණය වැඩිකිරීමට නියමිතය.
මෙම මාර්ගයේ මගී ප්රවාහනය සඳහා පුද්ගලික සුඛෝපභෝගී බස් රථ දෙකක් යෙදවීමට ද අවසර ඉල්ලා තිබේ.
ප්රථම බස් රථය ධාවනයට එක්කිරීමේ අවස්ථාවට ප්රවාහන නියෝජ්ය ඇමැති රෝහණ කුමාර දිසානායක, ශ්රී ලංගම සභාපති ඇම්. ඩී. බන්දුසේන යන මහත්වරු සහභාගි වෙති.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=n1201038
Toning Southern Expressway: Luxury bus service starts today
Chaminda Perera
The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will start a super luxury bus service on the Southern Expressway from today.
The Highways Ministry has granted permission for the operation of SLTB super luxury buses on the Expressway after Transport Minister Kumara Welgama sought permission for bus operation on the Expressway from President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Highways Minister.
Two buses starting from 6.00 a.m. and 8.00 am from Maharagama and Galle will be in operation till 5.00 p.m. A bus will leave Maharagama and Galle every two hours till 5 p.m.
Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, Deputy Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake and chairman of SLTB M.D. Bandusena will participate in the launching ceremony at Maharagama today.
A passenger will pay Rs 380 on starting the journey from Kottawa entry/exit point. Rs 400 will be charged, if a passenger starts the journey from Maharagama.
The buses are equipped with all facilities and safety measures.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news36.asp
ශීලා උඩුවර
දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ මගී ප්රවාහනය සඳහා යොදවන ශ්රී ලංගම ප්රථම අධි සුඛෝපභෝගී බස් රථය ප්රවාහන ඇමැති කුමාර වෙල්ගම මහතාගේ ප්රධානත්වයෙන් මහරගම බස් නැවතුම්පොළේදී අද (3) ධාවනයට එක්කෙරේ. මහරගම – ගාල්ල හා ගාල්ල – මහරගම අතර ධාවනය කෙරෙන මෙම බස් රථ සේවාව උදේ 6 ට, 8 ට ආදී වශයෙන් පැය දෙකින් දෙකට පස්වරු 5 දක්වා ධාවනය කෙරේ.
මහරගම සිට ගාල්ලට රුපියල් 400 ක් ද, කොට්ටාව සිට ගාල්ලට රුපියල් 380 ක් ද, ගමන් ගාස්තුව වෙයි.
අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ ධාවනයට සුදුසු පරිදි සකස් කර ඇති මෙම බස් රථ සියලු මගීන් සඳහා ආරක්ෂිත ආසන පටි, රූපවාහිනි යන්ත්ර, ස්වයංක්රීය දොර, ජනේල, ඩිජිටල් නාමපුවරු ආදියෙන් සමන්විතය.
ප්රථම අදියරට බස් රථ දෙකක් යොදවන අතර පසුව අවශ්යතාවය අනුව එම ප්රමාණය වැඩිකිරීමට නියමිතය.
මෙම මාර්ගයේ මගී ප්රවාහනය සඳහා පුද්ගලික සුඛෝපභෝගී බස් රථ දෙකක් යෙදවීමට ද අවසර ඉල්ලා තිබේ.
ප්රථම බස් රථය ධාවනයට එක්කිරීමේ අවස්ථාවට ප්රවාහන නියෝජ්ය ඇමැති රෝහණ කුමාර දිසානායක, ශ්රී ලංගම සභාපති ඇම්. ඩී. බන්දුසේන යන මහත්වරු සහභාගි වෙති.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=n1201038
Toning Southern Expressway: Luxury bus service starts today
Chaminda Perera
The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will start a super luxury bus service on the Southern Expressway from today.
The Highways Ministry has granted permission for the operation of SLTB super luxury buses on the Expressway after Transport Minister Kumara Welgama sought permission for bus operation on the Expressway from President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Highways Minister.
Two buses starting from 6.00 a.m. and 8.00 am from Maharagama and Galle will be in operation till 5.00 p.m. A bus will leave Maharagama and Galle every two hours till 5 p.m.
Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, Deputy Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake and chairman of SLTB M.D. Bandusena will participate in the launching ceremony at Maharagama today.
A passenger will pay Rs 380 on starting the journey from Kottawa entry/exit point. Rs 400 will be charged, if a passenger starts the journey from Maharagama.
The buses are equipped with all facilities and safety measures.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news36.asp
බස්නාහිර පාසල් 135කට ද්විතීයික ලේබලය
මැදකොළඹ සමූහ වයිමන් හෙට්ටිආරච්චි
ප්රාථමික පාසල් ජාලයක් සඳහා ද්විතීයික පාසල් 1000ක් සංවර්ධනය කිරීමේ මධ්යම රජයේ වැඩසටහන යටතේ බස්නාහිර පළාතේ පාසල් 135ක් ද්විතීයික පාසල් ලෙස සංවර්ධනය කිරීමට පියවර ගෙන ඇති බව එම පළාත් ප්රධාන ඇමැති ප්රසන්න රණතුංග මහතා පවසයි.
2010 සිට ක්රියාත්මක වන සුපසන් නිම්තෙර වැඩසටහන යටතේ අධ්යාපන කොට්ඨාස මට්ටමින් ප්රාථමික පාසල් 114 ක්ද සංවර්ධනය කෙරේ.
පළාතේ රැකියා විරහිත උපාධිධාරී තරුණ තරුණියන්ගේ රැකියා ගැටලුවලට පිළියම් සෙවීමේ අරමුණින් උපාධිධාරී 9935 ක් මේ වසර ඇතුළත ලියාපදිංචි කර ඇත. ඔවුන්ට රජයේ හෝ වෙනත් අභිමත ක්ෂේත්රයක රැකියාවට යොමුවීමට අවශ්ය හැකියා වර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා රුපියල් ලක්ෂ 25 ක් වැය කර පුහුණු වැඩසටහන් 30 ක් දිස්ත්රික්ක මට්ටමින් පැවැත්විණි. මේ වැඩසටහන් මාලාවේ අවසන් සැසිය සඳහා රැකියා විරහිත උපාධිධාරීන් 8000 ක් සහභාගි වූ බවද ප්රධාන ඇමැතිවරයා කියයි.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=r1201032
ප්රාථමික පාසල් ජාලයක් සඳහා ද්විතීයික පාසල් 1000ක් සංවර්ධනය කිරීමේ මධ්යම රජයේ වැඩසටහන යටතේ බස්නාහිර පළාතේ පාසල් 135ක් ද්විතීයික පාසල් ලෙස සංවර්ධනය කිරීමට පියවර ගෙන ඇති බව එම පළාත් ප්රධාන ඇමැති ප්රසන්න රණතුංග මහතා පවසයි.
2010 සිට ක්රියාත්මක වන සුපසන් නිම්තෙර වැඩසටහන යටතේ අධ්යාපන කොට්ඨාස මට්ටමින් ප්රාථමික පාසල් 114 ක්ද සංවර්ධනය කෙරේ.
පළාතේ රැකියා විරහිත උපාධිධාරී තරුණ තරුණියන්ගේ රැකියා ගැටලුවලට පිළියම් සෙවීමේ අරමුණින් උපාධිධාරී 9935 ක් මේ වසර ඇතුළත ලියාපදිංචි කර ඇත. ඔවුන්ට රජයේ හෝ වෙනත් අභිමත ක්ෂේත්රයක රැකියාවට යොමුවීමට අවශ්ය හැකියා වර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා රුපියල් ලක්ෂ 25 ක් වැය කර පුහුණු වැඩසටහන් 30 ක් දිස්ත්රික්ක මට්ටමින් පැවැත්විණි. මේ වැඩසටහන් මාලාවේ අවසන් සැසිය සඳහා රැකියා විරහිත උපාධිධාරීන් 8000 ක් සහභාගි වූ බවද ප්රධාන ඇමැතිවරයා කියයි.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=r1201032
මත්තල ගුවන් තොටේ වැඩ සියයට 50කින් අවසන්
වසර අවසානයේ ජනතා අයිතියට
සුභාෂිනී සේනානායක
මත්තල ජාත්යන්තර ගුවන් තොටුපළේ ඉදිකිරීම් 50%කින් පමණ නිමකර ඇතැයි සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා අමාත්යාංශය පවසයි.
ධාවන පථයේ ඉදිකිරීම් මේ වනවිට සියයට අනූවකින් පමණ අවසන් කර ඇති බවත් මේ වසරේ අවසාන වන විට ගුවන් තොටුපළ ආරම්භ කිරීමට කටයුතු සූදානම් බවත් සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා ඇමැති පියංකර ජයරත්න මහතා පැවැසීය.
ගුවන් මඟී පර්යන්තය හා සෙසු ගොඩනැඟිලි, මාර්ග පද්ධතියේ ඉදිකිරීම් මේ දිනවල සිදුකරන බව කී ඇමැතිවරයා චීන ජාතිකයන් සහ ශ්රී ලාංකීය ශ්රමිකයන් දහසකට වැඩි ප්රමාණයක් මෙහි ඉදිකිරීම් කටයුතු සිදු කරන බවද කීය.
ලෝකයේ නවීනතම ගුවන් තොටුපළක ගොඩබැස්සවිය හැකි නවීනතම ගුවන් යානය මෙම ගුවන්තොටුපළට ගොඩබෑ හැකි වේ.
පරිසර හිතකාමී මේ ගුවන්තොටුපළ මෙරට ඉදිවෙන දෙවැනි අන්තර්ජාතික ගුවන්තොටුපළ වන අතර මේ ගුවන්තොටුපොළ සංචාරකයන් විශාල ප්රමාණයකගේ ආකර්ශනය දිනාගනු ඇතැයි ද ඇමැතිවරයා වැඩිදුරටත් කීය.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=n1201034
සුභාෂිනී සේනානායක
මත්තල ජාත්යන්තර ගුවන් තොටුපළේ ඉදිකිරීම් 50%කින් පමණ නිමකර ඇතැයි සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා අමාත්යාංශය පවසයි.
ධාවන පථයේ ඉදිකිරීම් මේ වනවිට සියයට අනූවකින් පමණ අවසන් කර ඇති බවත් මේ වසරේ අවසාන වන විට ගුවන් තොටුපළ ආරම්භ කිරීමට කටයුතු සූදානම් බවත් සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා ඇමැති පියංකර ජයරත්න මහතා පැවැසීය.
ගුවන් මඟී පර්යන්තය හා සෙසු ගොඩනැඟිලි, මාර්ග පද්ධතියේ ඉදිකිරීම් මේ දිනවල සිදුකරන බව කී ඇමැතිවරයා චීන ජාතිකයන් සහ ශ්රී ලාංකීය ශ්රමිකයන් දහසකට වැඩි ප්රමාණයක් මෙහි ඉදිකිරීම් කටයුතු සිදු කරන බවද කීය.
ලෝකයේ නවීනතම ගුවන් තොටුපළක ගොඩබැස්සවිය හැකි නවීනතම ගුවන් යානය මෙම ගුවන්තොටුපළට ගොඩබෑ හැකි වේ.
පරිසර හිතකාමී මේ ගුවන්තොටුපළ මෙරට ඉදිවෙන දෙවැනි අන්තර්ජාතික ගුවන්තොටුපළ වන අතර මේ ගුවන්තොටුපොළ සංචාරකයන් විශාල ප්රමාණයකගේ ආකර්ශනය දිනාගනු ඇතැයි ද ඇමැතිවරයා වැඩිදුරටත් කීය.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/03/_art.asp?fn=n1201034
Monday, January 2, 2012
හැඹිලි දැල් තහනම ඉවත් කරන්නැයි ගාල්ල-බෙන්තර ධීවරයෝ උද්ඝෝෂණයක
දකුණු පළාත් සංචාරක විශේෂ ඩේවිඩ් මිත්රසේන
බෙන්තර සිට ගාල්ල දක්වා ධීවර පිරිස අතර ප්රචලිත වූ හැඹිලි දැල් ක්රමය තහනම් කිරීමෙන් ධීවර ජනතාවට ගැටලු රැසක් මතුවී ඇත. මේ නිසා පසුගියදා අම්බලන්ගොඩදී ධීවර පිරිස් එක්ව විරෝධතාවක් පැවැත්වූහ.
බෙන්තර සිට ගාල්ල දක්වා ධීවර පිරිස අතර ප්රචලිත වූ හැඹිලි දැල් ක්රමය තහනම් කිරීමෙන් ධීවර ජනතාවට ගැටලු රැසක් මතුවී ඇත. මේ නිසා පසුගියදා අම්බලන්ගොඩදී ධීවර පිරිස් එක්ව විරෝධතාවක් පැවැත්වූහ.
එහිදී ධීවර ජනතාව මෙසේ අදහස් දැක්වූහ.
එච්. දයානන්ද මහතා - මෙම හැඹිලි දැල් වලින් අල්ලා ගනු ලබන හුරුල්ලා, බෝල්ලා, දැල්ලා කියන මාළුන්. අනිවාර්යයෙන් ජීවත් වන්නේ දින 100 – 120 ත් අතර කාලයක් පමණයි. මේ මාළුන් අල්ලා නොගත්තොත් අපරාදේ විනාශයට පත් වනවා. මෙම තහනම නිසා ධීවරයන්ට ගැටලු රැසක් පැන නැගිලා.
ඩී. පී. රංජිත් මහතා - මේ ක්රමය අපට නැවතත් ලබාදීමෙන් ජනතාවට අඩු මිලට මාළු දීමට හැකියාව තිබෙනවා. ඒ වගේම ජීවන වියදම පහළ හෙළීමටත් මෙය ඉවහල් වනවා.
නිහාල් වික්රමසේකර - මෙම පන්නය ක්රියාත්මක කරන්න ඉඩ දෙන්න කියලයි අප ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ.
ඩබ්ලිව්. මිරන්ත - විනාශ වී යන මාළු අල්ලාගෙන අපටත් ජනතාවටත් යම් සේවාවක් ඉටු කරන අපට මෙසේ කිරීම ඉතාම විශාල අසාධාරණයක්.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=r1201025
එච්. දයානන්ද මහතා - මෙම හැඹිලි දැල් වලින් අල්ලා ගනු ලබන හුරුල්ලා, බෝල්ලා, දැල්ලා කියන මාළුන්. අනිවාර්යයෙන් ජීවත් වන්නේ දින 100 – 120 ත් අතර කාලයක් පමණයි. මේ මාළුන් අල්ලා නොගත්තොත් අපරාදේ විනාශයට පත් වනවා. මෙම තහනම නිසා ධීවරයන්ට ගැටලු රැසක් පැන නැගිලා.
ඩී. පී. රංජිත් මහතා - මේ ක්රමය අපට නැවතත් ලබාදීමෙන් ජනතාවට අඩු මිලට මාළු දීමට හැකියාව තිබෙනවා. ඒ වගේම ජීවන වියදම පහළ හෙළීමටත් මෙය ඉවහල් වනවා.
නිහාල් වික්රමසේකර - මෙම පන්නය ක්රියාත්මක කරන්න ඉඩ දෙන්න කියලයි අප ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ.
ඩබ්ලිව්. මිරන්ත - විනාශ වී යන මාළු අල්ලාගෙන අපටත් ජනතාවටත් යම් සේවාවක් ඉටු කරන අපට මෙසේ කිරීම ඉතාම විශාල අසාධාරණයක්.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=r1201025
FAO implements dairy cattle and buffalo improvement project
Sri Lanka receives help from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to establish a ‘Pedigree and Performance Recording Scheme (PPRS)’. The Department of Animal Production and Health recently concluded a 22-month long FAO funded pilot project in the Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya Districts.
A spokesperson for the FAO told The Island that they had a one-day workshop in Kandy to discuss what she called the ongoing dairy cattle and buffalo improvement project. Responding to a query, she said: "We launched the project in March, 2010. It will lay a strong foundation to establish a ‘Pedigree and Performance Recording Scheme (PPRS)’ involving about 2,500 lactating animals, plus young stock from the Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya districts."
She said that with the experience gained, the project would be expanded to all other districts. "The first year will consist of activities that include, farm selection, registration, establishing milk analysis, data input and analysis, organizing training programmes, record keeping, selection of bull-mothers and inseminating them with imported semen, selection of young bulls from the top 1% and 10% bull-mothers for Artificial Insemination (AI) and Natural Mating (NM), respectively".
The official said that two agreements had been finalised with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and the Faculty of Agriculture to improve the training capacities of field extension staff in dairy cattle and buffalo reproduction and nutrition. "This is a three-tier training programme where the partners will develop training modules and train Veterinary Surgeons in areas prioritized according to farmer needs after a comprehensive survey. This will then be followed by training the next tier the Middle Level Technicians (MLT) in intricacies involved in artificial breeding in view of improving various breeding standards and on feeding dairy cattle and buffaloes for better production, under the supervision of LoA partners. The next is to utilize these MLTs in government programmes in training farmers and in developing production targets with timelines," she said. (SF)
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42349
A spokesperson for the FAO told The Island that they had a one-day workshop in Kandy to discuss what she called the ongoing dairy cattle and buffalo improvement project. Responding to a query, she said: "We launched the project in March, 2010. It will lay a strong foundation to establish a ‘Pedigree and Performance Recording Scheme (PPRS)’ involving about 2,500 lactating animals, plus young stock from the Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya districts."
She said that with the experience gained, the project would be expanded to all other districts. "The first year will consist of activities that include, farm selection, registration, establishing milk analysis, data input and analysis, organizing training programmes, record keeping, selection of bull-mothers and inseminating them with imported semen, selection of young bulls from the top 1% and 10% bull-mothers for Artificial Insemination (AI) and Natural Mating (NM), respectively".
The official said that two agreements had been finalised with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and the Faculty of Agriculture to improve the training capacities of field extension staff in dairy cattle and buffalo reproduction and nutrition. "This is a three-tier training programme where the partners will develop training modules and train Veterinary Surgeons in areas prioritized according to farmer needs after a comprehensive survey. This will then be followed by training the next tier the Middle Level Technicians (MLT) in intricacies involved in artificial breeding in view of improving various breeding standards and on feeding dairy cattle and buffaloes for better production, under the supervision of LoA partners. The next is to utilize these MLTs in government programmes in training farmers and in developing production targets with timelines," she said. (SF)
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42349
LPBOA decides to suspend semi-luxury bus services
By Don Asoka Wijewardena
Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne and its Board of Directors had unanimously decided to withdraw semi-luxury bus service after LPBOA received numerous complaints from bus commuters that semi-luxury buses were flouting the law by loading as many passengers as possible. The LPBOA had already sent a letter to the Secretary of the Private Transport Ministry Victor Samaraweera with regard to their decisions, he told The Island in a brief interview yesterday.
Wijeratne said that though semi-luxury buses were supposed to provide better transport services, on most occasions people were forced to travel strap-hanging. LPBOA had been inundated with complaints about over-loading and discourteousness. Most semi-luxury buses were operating on long-distance routes.
He pointed out that the National Transport Commission (NTC) was solely responsible for the sorry service. Because it had haphazardly issued permission to operate those buses. LPBOA was of the view that the Secretary of the Private Transport Ministry could sort out the issue with the NTC.
When contacted Private Transport Ministry Secretary Victor Samaraweera said that he was not vested with power to stop the semi-luxury services. It was the NTC which had issued permits. Gemunu Wijeratne’s complaint would be taken into consideration shortly. " Just because he is asking the Private Transport Ministry to cancel the semi-luxury bus service, we cannot do it. We have to first find out the root cause for the situation," he stressed.
Samaraweera added that it was a hasty decision taken by the LPBOA. Cancellation of semi-luxury bus service would cripple the private transport service. Instead of resolving the issue it was unwise to take action to stop the service. He would discuss the issue with the NTC next week and strive to solve the matter soon.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42341
Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne and its Board of Directors had unanimously decided to withdraw semi-luxury bus service after LPBOA received numerous complaints from bus commuters that semi-luxury buses were flouting the law by loading as many passengers as possible. The LPBOA had already sent a letter to the Secretary of the Private Transport Ministry Victor Samaraweera with regard to their decisions, he told The Island in a brief interview yesterday.
Wijeratne said that though semi-luxury buses were supposed to provide better transport services, on most occasions people were forced to travel strap-hanging. LPBOA had been inundated with complaints about over-loading and discourteousness. Most semi-luxury buses were operating on long-distance routes.
He pointed out that the National Transport Commission (NTC) was solely responsible for the sorry service. Because it had haphazardly issued permission to operate those buses. LPBOA was of the view that the Secretary of the Private Transport Ministry could sort out the issue with the NTC.
When contacted Private Transport Ministry Secretary Victor Samaraweera said that he was not vested with power to stop the semi-luxury services. It was the NTC which had issued permits. Gemunu Wijeratne’s complaint would be taken into consideration shortly. " Just because he is asking the Private Transport Ministry to cancel the semi-luxury bus service, we cannot do it. We have to first find out the root cause for the situation," he stressed.
Samaraweera added that it was a hasty decision taken by the LPBOA. Cancellation of semi-luxury bus service would cripple the private transport service. Instead of resolving the issue it was unwise to take action to stop the service. He would discuss the issue with the NTC next week and strive to solve the matter soon.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42341
Wimal on collision course with C’bo flat dwellers
Govt won’t spend public funds on housing schemes
by Shamindra Ferdinando
National Freedom Front leader and Housing Minister, Wimal Weerawana is on a collision course with tenants of housing projects established by the government in the city and its suburbs over a controversial declaration that public funds wouldn’t be spent to maintain housing schemes in the future.
Minister Weerawansa was addressing a public gathering at Serpentine housing scheme at Borella on Saturday (Dec 31). The government had to spend Rs. 25 mn to renovate the scheme, which was in a dilapidated state due to negligence on the part of the tenants, the minister said. From now on, tenants would be responsible for their housing units, the minister said.The Serpentine complex comprised 352 families.
An irate Colombo District MP accused those living at the Serpentine flats of failing to establish a mechanism to look after their units in keeping with an agreement between them and the Housing Ministry. The MP alleged that the situation at other housing schemes renovated with public funds, too, had been same, with an influential section of tenants undermining his efforts to set up units to manage housing schemes. He accused a section of tenants of sabotaging ongoing moves to work out a cohesive plan spearheaded by those living in schemes to upkeep the facilities.
Weerawansa reminded the crowd that previous governments hadn’t touched the Serpentine scheme for 45 years. President Mahinda Rajapaksa authorized MP Weerawansa’s initiative to renovate those housing schemes as part of the UPFA’s overall plan to beautify the city and its suburbs.
The government launched the Serpentine project on the basis of the tenants agreeing to set up a committee to run the scheme. Although a management committee had been a prerequisite for the government to commit public funds, those responsible failed to keep their promise, the MP alleged.
The minister reiterated the housing ministry’s right to remove unauthorized constructions within schemes. Pointing out that unauthorized structures still remained at the Serpentine scheme, the minister said that he wouldn’t succumb to pressure and the suspension of action targeting unauthorized structures could resume at any time.
MP Weerawansa acknowledged that public funds available to provide housing to those struggling to make ends meet had been spent on the Serpentine scheme. Although, the government had intervened to restore the scheme, it wasn’t the right decision as many lived even without basis facilities. The minister pointed out that there couldn’t be any basis for the assumption that the state was responsible for maintaining housing units at schemes as those living outside had no option but to carry out repairs to their houses.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42354
by Shamindra Ferdinando
National Freedom Front leader and Housing Minister, Wimal Weerawana is on a collision course with tenants of housing projects established by the government in the city and its suburbs over a controversial declaration that public funds wouldn’t be spent to maintain housing schemes in the future.
Minister Weerawansa was addressing a public gathering at Serpentine housing scheme at Borella on Saturday (Dec 31). The government had to spend Rs. 25 mn to renovate the scheme, which was in a dilapidated state due to negligence on the part of the tenants, the minister said. From now on, tenants would be responsible for their housing units, the minister said.The Serpentine complex comprised 352 families.
An irate Colombo District MP accused those living at the Serpentine flats of failing to establish a mechanism to look after their units in keeping with an agreement between them and the Housing Ministry. The MP alleged that the situation at other housing schemes renovated with public funds, too, had been same, with an influential section of tenants undermining his efforts to set up units to manage housing schemes. He accused a section of tenants of sabotaging ongoing moves to work out a cohesive plan spearheaded by those living in schemes to upkeep the facilities.
Weerawansa reminded the crowd that previous governments hadn’t touched the Serpentine scheme for 45 years. President Mahinda Rajapaksa authorized MP Weerawansa’s initiative to renovate those housing schemes as part of the UPFA’s overall plan to beautify the city and its suburbs.
The government launched the Serpentine project on the basis of the tenants agreeing to set up a committee to run the scheme. Although a management committee had been a prerequisite for the government to commit public funds, those responsible failed to keep their promise, the MP alleged.
The minister reiterated the housing ministry’s right to remove unauthorized constructions within schemes. Pointing out that unauthorized structures still remained at the Serpentine scheme, the minister said that he wouldn’t succumb to pressure and the suspension of action targeting unauthorized structures could resume at any time.
MP Weerawansa acknowledged that public funds available to provide housing to those struggling to make ends meet had been spent on the Serpentine scheme. Although, the government had intervened to restore the scheme, it wasn’t the right decision as many lived even without basis facilities. The minister pointed out that there couldn’t be any basis for the assumption that the state was responsible for maintaining housing units at schemes as those living outside had no option but to carry out repairs to their houses.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42354
Accidents and the New Year (3 items)
31 දා අනතුරුවලින් 9 දෙනෙක් මියයති
සිරිමන්ත රත්නසේකර
දිවයිනේ විවිධ ප්රදේශවලදී පෙරේදා (31 වැනිදා) සිදු වූ රිය අනතුරුවලින් පුද්ගලයන් නවදෙනකු මියගොස් ඇති බව පොලිස් දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව සඳහන් කරයි.
තංගල්ල ප්රදේශයේදී මරණ තුනක්, කොළඹ මරණ 02 ක්, ගම්පහ මරණ 02 ක්, මොනරාගල හා අනුරාධපුර එක් මරණය බැගින් වාර්තා වන බව පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශක පොලිස් අධිකාරි අජිත් රෝහණ මහතා පැවසීය.
පසුගිය 31 වැනිදා පෙරවරු 6.00 සිට 01 වැනිදා පෙරවරු 6.00 දක්වා වූ කාලය තුළ මෙම අනතුරු සිදුව ඇත.
අදාළ කාලසීමාව තුළදී සිදු වූ මෙම අනතුරුවලින් බරපතළ තුවාල සිදුවූ රිය අනතුරු 28 ක්, සුළු තුවාල ලැබූ රිය අනතුරු 57 ක්, දේපළ හානි සිදුවූ රිය අනතුරු 65 ක් වන බව ද හෙතෙම කියා සිටී.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/02/news24.html
පසුගිය වසරේ රිය අනතුරුවලින් පුද්ගලයෝ 2350ක් මිය ගිහින්
පණ්ඩුක සමරසේකර සහ රක්ෂණ ශ්රියන්ත
පසුගිය වසරේ රිය අනතුරුවලින් පුද්ගලයන් 2350ක් මිය ගොස් ඇතැයි පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශක අජිත් රෝහණ මහතා පවසයි.
වසරේ සිදු වූ මුළු රිය අනතුරු ප්රමාණය 37,000ක් වන අතර පසුගිය 29 පමණක් මාරක රිය අනතුරු 10ක් වාර්තා වන බව පොලිස් අධිකාරිවරයා පැවැසීය. රියැදුරන්ගේ බීමත්කම නොසැලකිල්ල සහ අධික වේගය මේ අනතුරුවලට මූලික හේතූන් බව පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශකවරයා පෙන්වා දෙයි.
නව වසර උදාවත් සමඟ බීමත් පුද්ගලයන්ගේ සංඛ්යාවේ ඉහළ යාමක් සිදුවීම සාමාන්යයෙන් දක්නට ලැබෙන අතර එවැනි පුද්ගලයන් අත්අඩංගුවට ගැනීම සඳහා පොලිස් ඒකක වැඩිපුර යොදා ඇති බවත් වැරැදිකරුවන්ට උපරිමයෙන් නීතිය ක්රියාත්මක කරන බවත් හෙතෙම පැවැසීය.
මේ අතර දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ දැනට එකදු මාරක රිය අනතුරක්වත් සිදු වී නොමැත. රිය අනතුරු 47ක්ද මාර්ග නීති උල්ලංඝණය කිරීම් සම්බන්ධයෙන් 397 දෙනකුට නඩු පවරා ඇති බවද පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශකවරයා දිනමිණ කළ විමසීමක දී පැවැසීය.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n1201028
Accidents soar in New Year
Disna MUDALIGE
The number of patients admitted to the Accident Service of the Colombo National Hospital during New Year’s eve, showed a significant rise compared to the previous year, Colombo National Hospital Accident Service Director Dr Prasad Ariyawansa told the Daily News yesterday.
He said that there had been 164 admissions to the Accident Service during the 24 hours ended 7am yesterday.
He observed that this was a 36 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Dr. Ariyawansa said that 403 patients sought treatment in the Out Patients Department (OPD) during the said period.
This was a 28 percent increase compared to the previous New Year’s eve. He noted that 12 patients were treated for injuries caused by crackers during New Year, whereas only one patient was reported during the same period last year.
He said that 143 patients were treated for injuries caused by road traffic accidents during the 24 hours ended 7am yesterday, whereas the corresponding number last year was as low as 62.
Dr Ariyawansa said that the number of patients treated for falls during the New Year’s eve was 84, whereas this number was 31 during the same period last year. He noted that 41 patients sought treatment for injuries caused by violent activities.
This was twice higher compared with last year’s figures. Dr Ariyawansa observed that there was a decline in domestic accidents during the New Year festive period. This number was 52 whereas the corresponding number previous year was 65. He noted that no person had died due to accidents during New Year’s Eve this year, while one death was reported last year.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news04.asp
සිරිමන්ත රත්නසේකර
දිවයිනේ විවිධ ප්රදේශවලදී පෙරේදා (31 වැනිදා) සිදු වූ රිය අනතුරුවලින් පුද්ගලයන් නවදෙනකු මියගොස් ඇති බව පොලිස් දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව සඳහන් කරයි.
තංගල්ල ප්රදේශයේදී මරණ තුනක්, කොළඹ මරණ 02 ක්, ගම්පහ මරණ 02 ක්, මොනරාගල හා අනුරාධපුර එක් මරණය බැගින් වාර්තා වන බව පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශක පොලිස් අධිකාරි අජිත් රෝහණ මහතා පැවසීය.
පසුගිය 31 වැනිදා පෙරවරු 6.00 සිට 01 වැනිදා පෙරවරු 6.00 දක්වා වූ කාලය තුළ මෙම අනතුරු සිදුව ඇත.
අදාළ කාලසීමාව තුළදී සිදු වූ මෙම අනතුරුවලින් බරපතළ තුවාල සිදුවූ රිය අනතුරු 28 ක්, සුළු තුවාල ලැබූ රිය අනතුරු 57 ක්, දේපළ හානි සිදුවූ රිය අනතුරු 65 ක් වන බව ද හෙතෙම කියා සිටී.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/02/news24.html
පසුගිය වසරේ රිය අනතුරුවලින් පුද්ගලයෝ 2350ක් මිය ගිහින්
පණ්ඩුක සමරසේකර සහ රක්ෂණ ශ්රියන්ත
පසුගිය වසරේ රිය අනතුරුවලින් පුද්ගලයන් 2350ක් මිය ගොස් ඇතැයි පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශක අජිත් රෝහණ මහතා පවසයි.
වසරේ සිදු වූ මුළු රිය අනතුරු ප්රමාණය 37,000ක් වන අතර පසුගිය 29 පමණක් මාරක රිය අනතුරු 10ක් වාර්තා වන බව පොලිස් අධිකාරිවරයා පැවැසීය. රියැදුරන්ගේ බීමත්කම නොසැලකිල්ල සහ අධික වේගය මේ අනතුරුවලට මූලික හේතූන් බව පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශකවරයා පෙන්වා දෙයි.
නව වසර උදාවත් සමඟ බීමත් පුද්ගලයන්ගේ සංඛ්යාවේ ඉහළ යාමක් සිදුවීම සාමාන්යයෙන් දක්නට ලැබෙන අතර එවැනි පුද්ගලයන් අත්අඩංගුවට ගැනීම සඳහා පොලිස් ඒකක වැඩිපුර යොදා ඇති බවත් වැරැදිකරුවන්ට උපරිමයෙන් නීතිය ක්රියාත්මක කරන බවත් හෙතෙම පැවැසීය.
මේ අතර දක්ෂිණ අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ දැනට එකදු මාරක රිය අනතුරක්වත් සිදු වී නොමැත. රිය අනතුරු 47ක්ද මාර්ග නීති උල්ලංඝණය කිරීම් සම්බන්ධයෙන් 397 දෙනකුට නඩු පවරා ඇති බවද පොලිස් මාධ්ය ප්රකාශකවරයා දිනමිණ කළ විමසීමක දී පැවැසීය.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n1201028
Accidents soar in New Year
Disna MUDALIGE
The number of patients admitted to the Accident Service of the Colombo National Hospital during New Year’s eve, showed a significant rise compared to the previous year, Colombo National Hospital Accident Service Director Dr Prasad Ariyawansa told the Daily News yesterday.
He said that there had been 164 admissions to the Accident Service during the 24 hours ended 7am yesterday.
He observed that this was a 36 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Dr. Ariyawansa said that 403 patients sought treatment in the Out Patients Department (OPD) during the said period.
This was a 28 percent increase compared to the previous New Year’s eve. He noted that 12 patients were treated for injuries caused by crackers during New Year, whereas only one patient was reported during the same period last year.
He said that 143 patients were treated for injuries caused by road traffic accidents during the 24 hours ended 7am yesterday, whereas the corresponding number last year was as low as 62.
Dr Ariyawansa said that the number of patients treated for falls during the New Year’s eve was 84, whereas this number was 31 during the same period last year. He noted that 41 patients sought treatment for injuries caused by violent activities.
This was twice higher compared with last year’s figures. Dr Ariyawansa observed that there was a decline in domestic accidents during the New Year festive period. This number was 52 whereas the corresponding number previous year was 65. He noted that no person had died due to accidents during New Year’s Eve this year, while one death was reported last year.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news04.asp
අලුත් වාහන ලක්ෂ පහක් ගිය වසරේ ලියාපදිංචි කරලා
මෝටර් රථ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට කෝටි 500ක ආදායමක්
2011 වර්ෂය තුළ අලුතින් වාහන ලක්ෂ පහක් ලියාපදිංචි කළ බව මෝටර් රථ ප්රවාහන දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව ප්රකාශ කරයි. වසරක් තුළ මෙතරම් වාහන සංඛ්යාවක් ලියාපදිංචි වූ ප්රථම අවස්ථාව ද මෙය වෙයි. මේ අනුව මෝටර් රථ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට 2011 වසර තුළ පමණක් රුපියල් කෝටි 500ක ආදායමක් ලැබී තිබේ.
වසර තිහක යුද්ධය අවසන් වී රට තුළ සංවර්ධන ක්රියාවලියක් ආරම්භ වීම මෙසේ වාහන වැඩි වීමට ප්රධාන හේතුව වෙයි. මෙසේ වාහන ලියාපදිංචිය වැඩිවීමට පහත සඳහන් කරුණු ද හේතුවී තිබේ.
ලියාපදිංචි කළ වාහන අතරින් වැඩි ප්රමාණයක් යතුරු පැදි වෙයි. එම ප්රමාණය දෙලක්ෂ තිස්දහසකි. ත්රිරෝද රථ එක් ලක්ෂ විසිහය දහසකි. මෝටර් රථ හැට දහසකි. කෘෂිකර්මයට යොදා ගන්නා වාහන ද විශාල ප්රමාණයකි.
නව වාහන ලියාපදිංචිය තුළින් මෝටර් රථ ප්රවාහන දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව රජයට ලබාදෙන ආදායමට අමතරව වාහන ආනයනය තුළින් තීරුබදු ගාස්තුව හරහා රේගුවෙන් ද විශාල ආදායමක් ලැබී තිබේ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n1201021
2011 වර්ෂය තුළ අලුතින් වාහන ලක්ෂ පහක් ලියාපදිංචි කළ බව මෝටර් රථ ප්රවාහන දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව ප්රකාශ කරයි. වසරක් තුළ මෙතරම් වාහන සංඛ්යාවක් ලියාපදිංචි වූ ප්රථම අවස්ථාව ද මෙය වෙයි. මේ අනුව මෝටර් රථ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට 2011 වසර තුළ පමණක් රුපියල් කෝටි 500ක ආදායමක් ලැබී තිබේ.
වසර තිහක යුද්ධය අවසන් වී රට තුළ සංවර්ධන ක්රියාවලියක් ආරම්භ වීම මෙසේ වාහන වැඩි වීමට ප්රධාන හේතුව වෙයි. මෙසේ වාහන ලියාපදිංචිය වැඩිවීමට පහත සඳහන් කරුණු ද හේතුවී තිබේ.
- මාර්ග පද්ධතිය දියුණුවීම.
- ආයෝජකයන්ගේ වැඩිවීම.
- සංචාරක ව්යාපාරය දියුණුවීම.
- බැංකු ණය පහසුකම් වැඩි කිරීම.
- මූල්ය ආයතන ජනතාව ළඟටම ගොස් ණය පහසුකම් සැලසීම.
ලියාපදිංචි කළ වාහන අතරින් වැඩි ප්රමාණයක් යතුරු පැදි වෙයි. එම ප්රමාණය දෙලක්ෂ තිස්දහසකි. ත්රිරෝද රථ එක් ලක්ෂ විසිහය දහසකි. මෝටර් රථ හැට දහසකි. කෘෂිකර්මයට යොදා ගන්නා වාහන ද විශාල ප්රමාණයකි.
නව වාහන ලියාපදිංචිය තුළින් මෝටර් රථ ප්රවාහන දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව රජයට ලබාදෙන ආදායමට අමතරව වාහන ආනයනය තුළින් තීරුබදු ගාස්තුව හරහා රේගුවෙන් ද විශාල ආදායමක් ලැබී තිබේ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n1201021
Soya, maize to be cultivated on large scale
Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent
Soya and maize will be cultivated in the North Central Province on 100,000 acres in Maha and Yala cultivation seasons this year, North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said.
There is a record awakening of paddy cultivation in the NCP and there has been a surplus harvest at present. Soya, maize and kurakkan will be cultivated on large scale in the region to make the farmer community richer. ‘The Provincial Council with government support will make ample stores and marketing facilities available for the farmer,” the Chief Minister emphasized.
Secretary to the Finance Ministry P B Jayasundara in his recent tour in Anuradhapura said that it was planned to put up a range of storage complexes with modern facilities in the Anuradhapura district where the paddy and other crops harvest could be stored safely and at these centres drying and processing facilities would also be provided. Under this programme a large scale warehouse complex would be constructed in Yakalla in Huruluwewa area.
The World Food Programme would patronize the storage facilities upgrading venture. It was disclosed at the discussions that a large building complex consisting of 125,000 square feet, at Oyamaduwa, Deyata Kirula exhibition grounds would be converted to a crops storage complex after the exhibition.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news29.asp
Soya and maize will be cultivated in the North Central Province on 100,000 acres in Maha and Yala cultivation seasons this year, North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said.
There is a record awakening of paddy cultivation in the NCP and there has been a surplus harvest at present. Soya, maize and kurakkan will be cultivated on large scale in the region to make the farmer community richer. ‘The Provincial Council with government support will make ample stores and marketing facilities available for the farmer,” the Chief Minister emphasized.
Secretary to the Finance Ministry P B Jayasundara in his recent tour in Anuradhapura said that it was planned to put up a range of storage complexes with modern facilities in the Anuradhapura district where the paddy and other crops harvest could be stored safely and at these centres drying and processing facilities would also be provided. Under this programme a large scale warehouse complex would be constructed in Yakalla in Huruluwewa area.
The World Food Programme would patronize the storage facilities upgrading venture. It was disclosed at the discussions that a large building complex consisting of 125,000 square feet, at Oyamaduwa, Deyata Kirula exhibition grounds would be converted to a crops storage complex after the exhibition.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news29.asp
Health certificates to eating house employees
Amila Prabath Wanasinghe
The Anuradhapura District Divisional Health Office will launch a new programme to issue a medical certificate to all hotel and bakery workers in Anuradhapura.
This programme is to be launched islandwide at provincial level and will be inaugurated in the Anuradhapura district. Under this programme, persons with skin diseases, tuberculosis and typhoid will be prohibited from working in hotels, bakeries and other eateries supplying food items to the public, said Anuradhapura District Health Office Foods and Medicine supervisor Ananda Weragoda. He said that they will carry out complete medical tests for food suppliers with the aim of providing healthy and quality food items to the public. "An awareness programme will be carried out for food suppliers and owners of bakeries and eating houses.
"They should keep the certificate with them for clearance," he added.
The Health Department had organized this programme in collaboration with the Anuradhapura District Health Office.
Medical certificates are to be issued to food suppliers in Anuradhapura before the end of this year.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news26.asp
The Anuradhapura District Divisional Health Office will launch a new programme to issue a medical certificate to all hotel and bakery workers in Anuradhapura.
This programme is to be launched islandwide at provincial level and will be inaugurated in the Anuradhapura district. Under this programme, persons with skin diseases, tuberculosis and typhoid will be prohibited from working in hotels, bakeries and other eateries supplying food items to the public, said Anuradhapura District Health Office Foods and Medicine supervisor Ananda Weragoda. He said that they will carry out complete medical tests for food suppliers with the aim of providing healthy and quality food items to the public. "An awareness programme will be carried out for food suppliers and owners of bakeries and eating houses.
"They should keep the certificate with them for clearance," he added.
The Health Department had organized this programme in collaboration with the Anuradhapura District Health Office.
Medical certificates are to be issued to food suppliers in Anuradhapura before the end of this year.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news26.asp
First high speed rail track to open in April
Irangika Range
The renovated high-speed coastal railway track from Matara to Colombo will be opened by April this year, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama told the Daily News.
This is Sri Lanka’s first high speed railway line where locomotives can operate up to 100 kilometres per hour.
The public will be able to travel from Colombo Fort to Matara within two hours with the completion of the modernization of the coastal railway line.
The current travel time is over three hours, the minister said.
He said the reconstructed Galle-Matara segment under the first phase was opened last February for high-speed passenger train transport.
The second phase of construction between Galle and Aluthgama is in progress and the modernized segment will be opened on February 20 this year.
The construction work on the third phase from Aluthgama to Kalutara commenced yesterday and is expected to be completed within the next two months.
The Indian government has pledged US$ 168 million to implement the comprehensive project for upgrading the Colombo-Galle-Matara coastal railway track which was handled by IRCON, an Indian company.
The project covers upgrading the tracks, bridges, signals and new passenger trains. When completed, the revamped coastal railway-line system will substantially improve the rail services on the Colombo-Galle-Matara section.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news20.asp
The renovated high-speed coastal railway track from Matara to Colombo will be opened by April this year, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama told the Daily News.
This is Sri Lanka’s first high speed railway line where locomotives can operate up to 100 kilometres per hour.
The public will be able to travel from Colombo Fort to Matara within two hours with the completion of the modernization of the coastal railway line.
The current travel time is over three hours, the minister said.
He said the reconstructed Galle-Matara segment under the first phase was opened last February for high-speed passenger train transport.
The second phase of construction between Galle and Aluthgama is in progress and the modernized segment will be opened on February 20 this year.
The construction work on the third phase from Aluthgama to Kalutara commenced yesterday and is expected to be completed within the next two months.
The Indian government has pledged US$ 168 million to implement the comprehensive project for upgrading the Colombo-Galle-Matara coastal railway track which was handled by IRCON, an Indian company.
The project covers upgrading the tracks, bridges, signals and new passenger trains. When completed, the revamped coastal railway-line system will substantially improve the rail services on the Colombo-Galle-Matara section.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news20.asp
මෙරට ක්රියාත්මක එන්. ජී. ඕ. රැසක් ලියාපදිංචි වී නෑ
අධීක්ෂණයට රජයෙන් නව චක්රලේඛයක්
අජිත් අලහකෝන්
මෙරට ක්රියාත්මක වන දෙස් විදෙස් රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධානවලින් සියයට පනහකට ආසන්න සංඛ්යාවක් රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන පිළිබඳ ජාතික ලේකම් කාර්යාලයේ ලියාපදිංචි වීම මඟහැර ඇතැයි ආරක්ෂක අමාත්යාංශය සඳහන් කරයි.
මේ නිසා රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන අධීක්ෂණය සඳහා රජය නව චක්රලේඛයක් කෙටුම්පත් කර ඇත. ඊට අමතරව රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධානවල කටයුතු සඳහා මෙරටට පැමිණෙන විදේශිකයන්ට කෙටි කාලීන වීසා නිකුත් කිරීම සඳහා ද රජය විසින් නව වීසා චක්රලේඛයක් කෙටුම්පත් කර තිබේ.
ශ්රී ලංකාව තුළ රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන 1370 ක් පමණ තිබෙන අතර ඉන් සංවිධාන 642 ක් ජාතික ලේකම් කාර්යාලයේ ලියාපදිංචිය සඳහා කිසිදු ප්රතිචාරයක් දක්වා නැතැයි ආරක්ෂක අමාත්යාංශය විසින් නිකුත් කළ 2011 ප්රගති වාර්තාවේ සඳහන් වේ. රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන විසින් 2011 වසර තුළදී රුපියල් පන්සිය අසූ හතර කෝටි දහසය ලක්ෂ හැට අටදහස් දෙසිය හතළිස් දෙකක් විවිධ ව්යාපෘති වෙනුවෙන් වියදම් කර ඇත. එහෙත් මෙම සංවිධාන විසින් විවිධ ජාත්යන්තර සංවිධාන වෙත ඉදිරිපත් කර ඇති ව්යාපෘති වාර්තාවන්ට අනුව 2011 දී ඇස්තමේන්තු ගත පිරිවැය රුපියල් එක්දහස් දෙසිය පනස් දෙකෝටි හැටපන් ලක්ෂයක් බව ද ආරක්ෂක අමාත්යාංශය සඳහන් කර සිටී.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/02/news22.html
අජිත් අලහකෝන්
මෙරට ක්රියාත්මක වන දෙස් විදෙස් රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධානවලින් සියයට පනහකට ආසන්න සංඛ්යාවක් රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන පිළිබඳ ජාතික ලේකම් කාර්යාලයේ ලියාපදිංචි වීම මඟහැර ඇතැයි ආරක්ෂක අමාත්යාංශය සඳහන් කරයි.
මේ නිසා රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන අධීක්ෂණය සඳහා රජය නව චක්රලේඛයක් කෙටුම්පත් කර ඇත. ඊට අමතරව රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධානවල කටයුතු සඳහා මෙරටට පැමිණෙන විදේශිකයන්ට කෙටි කාලීන වීසා නිකුත් කිරීම සඳහා ද රජය විසින් නව වීසා චක්රලේඛයක් කෙටුම්පත් කර තිබේ.
ශ්රී ලංකාව තුළ රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන 1370 ක් පමණ තිබෙන අතර ඉන් සංවිධාන 642 ක් ජාතික ලේකම් කාර්යාලයේ ලියාපදිංචිය සඳහා කිසිදු ප්රතිචාරයක් දක්වා නැතැයි ආරක්ෂක අමාත්යාංශය විසින් නිකුත් කළ 2011 ප්රගති වාර්තාවේ සඳහන් වේ. රාජ්ය නොවන සංවිධාන විසින් 2011 වසර තුළදී රුපියල් පන්සිය අසූ හතර කෝටි දහසය ලක්ෂ හැට අටදහස් දෙසිය හතළිස් දෙකක් විවිධ ව්යාපෘති වෙනුවෙන් වියදම් කර ඇත. එහෙත් මෙම සංවිධාන විසින් විවිධ ජාත්යන්තර සංවිධාන වෙත ඉදිරිපත් කර ඇති ව්යාපෘති වාර්තාවන්ට අනුව 2011 දී ඇස්තමේන්තු ගත පිරිවැය රුපියල් එක්දහස් දෙසිය පනස් දෙකෝටි හැටපන් ලක්ෂයක් බව ද ආරක්ෂක අමාත්යාංශය සඳහන් කර සිටී.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/02/news22.html
කොත්මලෙන් මෙගාවොට් 75ක් විදුලි පද්ධතියට
ධනුෂ්ක ගොඩකුඹුර සහ නුවන් කොඩිකාර
ශ්රී ලංකාවේ අවසාන මහා පරිමාණ ජල විදුලි බලාගාරය වන ඉහළ කොත්මලේ ජල විදුලි බලාගාරයෙන් ජනවාරී මස අග සිට මෙගා වොට් 75 ක විදුලි ප්රමාණයක් ජාතික විදුලි පද්ධතියට එක් කෙරේ.
නව වසරේ ජනතා අයිතියට ප්රථමයෙන්ම පැවරෙන දැවැන්ත ව්යාපෘතිය වන ඉහළ කොත්මලේ බලාගාරය ඉදි කිරීම සඳහා වැය කෙරෙන මුදල රුපියල් කෝටි 5400 කි.
සමස්ථ විදුලි ධාරිතාව මෙගාවොට් 150 ක් වන එහි දෙවැනි අදියර යටතේ තවත් මෙගාවොට් 75 ක් අප්රේල් මස ජාතික පද්ධතියට එක් කිරීමට නියමිත බව විදුලිබල හා බලශක්ති අමාත්යාංශය පවසයි. පසුගිය දෙසැම්බර් මස 15 වැනිදා බලාගාරයේ ප්රථම දියවර නිකුත් කෙරුණු අතර බලාගාරය විදුලි ඒකක මිලියන 409 ක ධාරිතාවකින් යුක්ත වේ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n12010213
ශ්රී ලංකාවේ අවසාන මහා පරිමාණ ජල විදුලි බලාගාරය වන ඉහළ කොත්මලේ ජල විදුලි බලාගාරයෙන් ජනවාරී මස අග සිට මෙගා වොට් 75 ක විදුලි ප්රමාණයක් ජාතික විදුලි පද්ධතියට එක් කෙරේ.
නව වසරේ ජනතා අයිතියට ප්රථමයෙන්ම පැවරෙන දැවැන්ත ව්යාපෘතිය වන ඉහළ කොත්මලේ බලාගාරය ඉදි කිරීම සඳහා වැය කෙරෙන මුදල රුපියල් කෝටි 5400 කි.
සමස්ථ විදුලි ධාරිතාව මෙගාවොට් 150 ක් වන එහි දෙවැනි අදියර යටතේ තවත් මෙගාවොට් 75 ක් අප්රේල් මස ජාතික පද්ධතියට එක් කිරීමට නියමිත බව විදුලිබල හා බලශක්ති අමාත්යාංශය පවසයි. පසුගිය දෙසැම්බර් මස 15 වැනිදා බලාගාරයේ ප්රථම දියවර නිකුත් කෙරුණු අතර බලාගාරය විදුලි ඒකක මිලියන 409 ක ධාරිතාවකින් යුක්ත වේ.
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n12010213
Sri Lanka is one of the top five tourist destinations (2 items)
සංචාරයට වඩාත් හිතකර රටවල් 5 අතරට ශ්රී ලංකාව
බ්රිතාන්ය සඟරාවක් කියයි
මහින්ද අලුත්ගෙදර
නව වසරේදී (2012) සංචාරය සඳහා වඩාත් හිතකර රටවල් 5 අතරට ශ්රී ලංකාවද ඇතුළත්ව තිබේ.
බ්රිතාන්යය ප්රකාශයට පත්කරන “කොන්ඩෙ නාස්ට් ට්රැවලර්” සඟරාව මඟින් ලෝකයේ රටවල් අතුරින් සංචාරය සඳහා වඩාත්ම හිතකර රටවල් 5 අතරට ශ්රී ලංකාවද එක්කර ඇත. පසුගිය කාලයේ පැවැති යුද ගැටුම් හේතුවෙන් ශ්රී ලංකාවට සංචාරකයන්ගේ පැමිණීම සීමා වී තිබූණද යුද ගැටුම් අවසන් වීමෙන් පසුව ලෝකයේ ඕනෑම සංචාරකයෙකු සඳහා ශ්රී ලංකාව තුළ හිතකර පරිසරයක් නර්මාණය වී තිබෙන බවද එම සඟරාව පෙන්වා දෙයි.
ශ්රී ලංකාවේ ස්වාභාවික සුන්දරත්වය සංචාරකයන්ගේ පැමිණීම ඉහළ යාමට එක් හේතුවක් වශයෙන් පෙන්වා දෙන “කොන්ඩෙ නාස්ට් ට්රැවලර්” සඟරාව නැඟෙනහිර වෙරළ ආශි්රත සුන්දරත්වය අත්විඳීමට සංචාරකයන් වඩාත් පි්රය කරන බවද කියා සිටී.
ඊට අමතරව ශ්රී ලංකා රජයේ සංවර්ධන වැඩපිළිවෙලට අනුව සංචාරක කර්මාන්තයේ යටිතල පහසුකම් වර්ධනය මෙන්ම රටේ සාමකාමී වාතාවරණයද සංචාරක ආකර්ශණය ඉහළ යාමට හේතුවක් බව එම සඟරාව සඳහන් කරයි
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n1201023
Leading British travel magazine says: SL ‘hottest’ new destination this year
* Lanka ahead of Britain, Australia, Abu Dhabi
* SL among world’s top five destinations
Sri Lanka is one of the top five destinations to watch this year, according to the world’s leading and most discerning and trusted monthly travel magazine in Britain, Conde Nast Traveller. The magazine’s travel experts have predicted that Sri Lanka will be among the hottest new holiday destinations for travellers this year.
Unveiling the list of destinations, the magazine reveals that: “One of the great joys of travel is the feeling you’ve discovered somewhere special, somewhere that’s all yours, for the first time - before the developers move in and the crowds descend.
It could be a new and unexplored region, like the Arctic Circle, or an entire country such as Sri Lanka and Burma.”
Sri Lanka has been placed third in the list of destinations ahead of Britain, Australia and Abu Dhabi. Courtesy:
Sri Lanka Tourism.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news01.asp
බ්රිතාන්ය සඟරාවක් කියයි
මහින්ද අලුත්ගෙදර
නව වසරේදී (2012) සංචාරය සඳහා වඩාත් හිතකර රටවල් 5 අතරට ශ්රී ලංකාවද ඇතුළත්ව තිබේ.
බ්රිතාන්යය ප්රකාශයට පත්කරන “කොන්ඩෙ නාස්ට් ට්රැවලර්” සඟරාව මඟින් ලෝකයේ රටවල් අතුරින් සංචාරය සඳහා වඩාත්ම හිතකර රටවල් 5 අතරට ශ්රී ලංකාවද එක්කර ඇත. පසුගිය කාලයේ පැවැති යුද ගැටුම් හේතුවෙන් ශ්රී ලංකාවට සංචාරකයන්ගේ පැමිණීම සීමා වී තිබූණද යුද ගැටුම් අවසන් වීමෙන් පසුව ලෝකයේ ඕනෑම සංචාරකයෙකු සඳහා ශ්රී ලංකාව තුළ හිතකර පරිසරයක් නර්මාණය වී තිබෙන බවද එම සඟරාව පෙන්වා දෙයි.
ශ්රී ලංකාවේ ස්වාභාවික සුන්දරත්වය සංචාරකයන්ගේ පැමිණීම ඉහළ යාමට එක් හේතුවක් වශයෙන් පෙන්වා දෙන “කොන්ඩෙ නාස්ට් ට්රැවලර්” සඟරාව නැඟෙනහිර වෙරළ ආශි්රත සුන්දරත්වය අත්විඳීමට සංචාරකයන් වඩාත් පි්රය කරන බවද කියා සිටී.
ඊට අමතරව ශ්රී ලංකා රජයේ සංවර්ධන වැඩපිළිවෙලට අනුව සංචාරක කර්මාන්තයේ යටිතල පහසුකම් වර්ධනය මෙන්ම රටේ සාමකාමී වාතාවරණයද සංචාරක ආකර්ශණය ඉහළ යාමට හේතුවක් බව එම සඟරාව සඳහන් කරයි
http://www.dinamina.lk/2012/01/02/_art.asp?fn=n1201023
Leading British travel magazine says: SL ‘hottest’ new destination this year
* Lanka ahead of Britain, Australia, Abu Dhabi
* SL among world’s top five destinations
Sri Lanka is one of the top five destinations to watch this year, according to the world’s leading and most discerning and trusted monthly travel magazine in Britain, Conde Nast Traveller. The magazine’s travel experts have predicted that Sri Lanka will be among the hottest new holiday destinations for travellers this year.
Unveiling the list of destinations, the magazine reveals that: “One of the great joys of travel is the feeling you’ve discovered somewhere special, somewhere that’s all yours, for the first time - before the developers move in and the crowds descend.
It could be a new and unexplored region, like the Arctic Circle, or an entire country such as Sri Lanka and Burma.”
Sri Lanka has been placed third in the list of destinations ahead of Britain, Australia and Abu Dhabi. Courtesy:
Sri Lanka Tourism.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/02/news01.asp
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Buffaloes destroy crops in Kataragama village
By Kataragama, correspondent M. N . Piyaratne
Buffaloes are giving the farmers of Gerikatuwa, a village in Kataragama, a hard time, destroying their crops, which include vegetables, bananas and coconut.
Farmer W. M. Jayasundara says there are some 100 families living in Gerikatuwa, and they prize their two-acre plots of cultivated land. He said he had put down 400 coconut saplings, but is now left with about 150. The rest were eaten by buffaloes. He said that some land-owners had even given up cultivating their lands as there was no protection from buffaloes.
The Sunday Times spoke to several Gerikatuwa cattle owners, who said they had no pasture on which their buffaloes could graze, so they were compelled to release the animals in the hope they would somehow find food.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120101/News/nws_46.html
Buffaloes are giving the farmers of Gerikatuwa, a village in Kataragama, a hard time, destroying their crops, which include vegetables, bananas and coconut.
Farmer W. M. Jayasundara says there are some 100 families living in Gerikatuwa, and they prize their two-acre plots of cultivated land. He said he had put down 400 coconut saplings, but is now left with about 150. The rest were eaten by buffaloes. He said that some land-owners had even given up cultivating their lands as there was no protection from buffaloes.
The Sunday Times spoke to several Gerikatuwa cattle owners, who said they had no pasture on which their buffaloes could graze, so they were compelled to release the animals in the hope they would somehow find food.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120101/News/nws_46.html
Nuwara Eliya district prepares to face landslides
By Shelton Hettiarachchi
With heavy rains expected in the next few months, the Government Agent and authorities in the Nuwara Eliya district are gearing up to face the possibility of landslides and other possible disasters in the Walapane area.
February 2011: The road close to Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya caved in due to heavy rains
In November 2007 the rains left eleven dead and three persons went missing in the Walapone and Hanguranketa divisions of the district. The area is also prone to landslides. In 1983 thirteen persons died in landslides at Ketayapathana, while Wathumulla was affected by landslides in 2006 and in 2007.
The Red Cross and a number of other NGOs continue to provide relief to victims of these landslides. To face this situation the Red Cross has identified a number of vulnerable areas and commenced setting up centres to house victims of landslides in addition to training community based organisations in disaster management.
Ven. Kudaligamuawe Seelavimala Thera of the Subodharamaya said the Red Cross had helped victims of the 2007 landslide. The Principal of the Pussadeva MMV A.K.R.M Dayarathne, said the Red Cross had trained the students of his school to help victims of such disasters.
He added in the event of earth slips or landslides his school would be used as a disaster management centre and a centre to house the victims. The school can house up to 3,000 victims he said. Mr. Dayarathne added the ICRC had undertaken to build a wall around the school for security reasons and provided first aid training to students to help victims of disasters.
He said the school also had adequate communication facilities but added it needed a stand-by electricity generator now that it had been designated a disaster management centre.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120101/News/nws_12.html
With heavy rains expected in the next few months, the Government Agent and authorities in the Nuwara Eliya district are gearing up to face the possibility of landslides and other possible disasters in the Walapane area.
February 2011: The road close to Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya caved in due to heavy rains
In November 2007 the rains left eleven dead and three persons went missing in the Walapone and Hanguranketa divisions of the district. The area is also prone to landslides. In 1983 thirteen persons died in landslides at Ketayapathana, while Wathumulla was affected by landslides in 2006 and in 2007.
The Red Cross and a number of other NGOs continue to provide relief to victims of these landslides. To face this situation the Red Cross has identified a number of vulnerable areas and commenced setting up centres to house victims of landslides in addition to training community based organisations in disaster management.
Ven. Kudaligamuawe Seelavimala Thera of the Subodharamaya said the Red Cross had helped victims of the 2007 landslide. The Principal of the Pussadeva MMV A.K.R.M Dayarathne, said the Red Cross had trained the students of his school to help victims of such disasters.
He added in the event of earth slips or landslides his school would be used as a disaster management centre and a centre to house the victims. The school can house up to 3,000 victims he said. Mr. Dayarathne added the ICRC had undertaken to build a wall around the school for security reasons and provided first aid training to students to help victims of disasters.
He said the school also had adequate communication facilities but added it needed a stand-by electricity generator now that it had been designated a disaster management centre.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120101/News/nws_12.html
Minister seeks US$ 10 billion bailout for CPC
By Bandula Sirimanna
Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha is seeking a Treasury guarantee of US$. 10 billion to bail out the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) which is now in the red to the tune of Rs. 83 billion. The minister’s move came as a Finance Ministry official said plans by the CPC to increase its borrowing limit with the People’s Bank for fuel imports would have to be seriously re-considered given its high debt liability.
The CPC, which is facing a financial crisis in importing the country’s petroleum requirements, has to pay Rs. 350 million per day as instalments and interests alone on bank loans. Salaries were paid via overdrafts obtained from the two state banks – Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and People’s Bank, the ministry official said.
On Thursday, Minister Premajayantha told the Sunday Times he had sought Cabinet approval for the issue of a Treasury guarantee of $ 10 billion to the People’s Bank to increase the bank’s present credit limit to the CPC to US$ 10 billion from the present $1.8 billion –an increase of more than 800 %.
He said the Bank of Ceylon’s credit limit of $10 billion to the CPC would remain unchanged. The CPC has ‘Letters of Credit’ facilities with both banks for import needs with the monthly bill averaging US$ 500 million.
The Finance Ministry official said the CPC had earlier been given Treasury bonds, a debt instrument, to cover debts from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), for oil debts up to December 2009 amounting to around Rs 52 billion.
The bonds would increase the national debt to around one percent of the Gross Domestic Product, he said. CPC trade unions have said the CPC had a total of Rs. 68 billion due from other state bodies, including more than Rs. 50 billion from the CEB alone.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120101/News/nws_02.html
Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha is seeking a Treasury guarantee of US$. 10 billion to bail out the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) which is now in the red to the tune of Rs. 83 billion. The minister’s move came as a Finance Ministry official said plans by the CPC to increase its borrowing limit with the People’s Bank for fuel imports would have to be seriously re-considered given its high debt liability.
The CPC, which is facing a financial crisis in importing the country’s petroleum requirements, has to pay Rs. 350 million per day as instalments and interests alone on bank loans. Salaries were paid via overdrafts obtained from the two state banks – Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and People’s Bank, the ministry official said.
On Thursday, Minister Premajayantha told the Sunday Times he had sought Cabinet approval for the issue of a Treasury guarantee of $ 10 billion to the People’s Bank to increase the bank’s present credit limit to the CPC to US$ 10 billion from the present $1.8 billion –an increase of more than 800 %.
He said the Bank of Ceylon’s credit limit of $10 billion to the CPC would remain unchanged. The CPC has ‘Letters of Credit’ facilities with both banks for import needs with the monthly bill averaging US$ 500 million.
The Finance Ministry official said the CPC had earlier been given Treasury bonds, a debt instrument, to cover debts from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), for oil debts up to December 2009 amounting to around Rs 52 billion.
The bonds would increase the national debt to around one percent of the Gross Domestic Product, he said. CPC trade unions have said the CPC had a total of Rs. 68 billion due from other state bodies, including more than Rs. 50 billion from the CEB alone.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120101/News/nws_02.html
CEA blocks proposed Indian industrial project on environmental concerns
Had plans to use Matugama to dump Sulfuric acid
By Ifham Nizam
A move by an Indian company to launch a BOI-approved industrial project in Sri Lanka with the Matugama area earmarked to dump Sulfuric acid, has been blocked by the Central Environment Authority (CEA).
The CEA, following discussions with India’s premier scientific institution, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has decided to respond negatively to the proposed venture.
The Sunday Island learns, that even President Mahinda Rajapaksa had told local scientists to drop the project, if it cannot be ensured there will be no environmental pollution.
Advanced Surfactant Lanka Ltd., which is one of the overseas branches of the Advance Surfactant Group of Companies in India, wanted to launch the project to manufacture basic raw materials to produce 250 tons of surfactants per day. The manufacturing chemical were to include Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfuric Acid (LABSA), Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfuric (LAS) and some fatty acid sulfates.
All these products need Sulfuric Acid as a basic chemical which were to be produced by the industry for their own use, an official said.
He says Sulfuric acid is produced by burning sulfur industrially, converting resulting Sulfur dioxide into Sulfur trioxide and absorbing the Sulfur trioxide into concentrated sulfuric acid. This absorbing process called "Double Contract Double Absorption (DCDA) Method is described as the world’s advanced method of producing Sulfuric acid.
Manufacturing of Sulfuric acid produces considerable amount of Sulfur Dioxide as a pollutant gas emission and acid mist as a vapor which release through the stuck.
Though the industry operates a series of devices of air pollution control measures to reduce the Sulfur Dioxide which goes as an emission, each ton of producing sulfuric acid emits considerable pollutions to the air.
Normally, Sulfur Dioxide emission depends on absorbing efficiency and the efficiency of Sulfur Dioxide convention to Sulfur Trioxide. Each Sulfuric acid ton production has emissions two kilogram of Sulfur dioxide to the air even if the best technology is applied for the mitigation.
According to optimum efficiency at 97.5 per cent each sulfuric acid produces two kilograms of SO2 which will be spread and disperses through the atmosphere.
If the conversion efficiency is very low Sulfur Dioxide emission rate will be very high. Produced Sulfur Trioxide gas collected as a sulfur trioxide liquid in the industry is a considerable threat to the safety of the community. In event of an accidental release, there may be serious health problems. Although the industry has adopted a lot of measures to improve the safety of the operations, a considerable threat still lies within the neighborhood exposed to storage areas of Sulfur Trioxide.
By Ifham Nizam
A move by an Indian company to launch a BOI-approved industrial project in Sri Lanka with the Matugama area earmarked to dump Sulfuric acid, has been blocked by the Central Environment Authority (CEA).
The CEA, following discussions with India’s premier scientific institution, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has decided to respond negatively to the proposed venture.
The Sunday Island learns, that even President Mahinda Rajapaksa had told local scientists to drop the project, if it cannot be ensured there will be no environmental pollution.
Advanced Surfactant Lanka Ltd., which is one of the overseas branches of the Advance Surfactant Group of Companies in India, wanted to launch the project to manufacture basic raw materials to produce 250 tons of surfactants per day. The manufacturing chemical were to include Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfuric Acid (LABSA), Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfuric (LAS) and some fatty acid sulfates.
All these products need Sulfuric Acid as a basic chemical which were to be produced by the industry for their own use, an official said.
He says Sulfuric acid is produced by burning sulfur industrially, converting resulting Sulfur dioxide into Sulfur trioxide and absorbing the Sulfur trioxide into concentrated sulfuric acid. This absorbing process called "Double Contract Double Absorption (DCDA) Method is described as the world’s advanced method of producing Sulfuric acid.
Manufacturing of Sulfuric acid produces considerable amount of Sulfur Dioxide as a pollutant gas emission and acid mist as a vapor which release through the stuck.
Though the industry operates a series of devices of air pollution control measures to reduce the Sulfur Dioxide which goes as an emission, each ton of producing sulfuric acid emits considerable pollutions to the air.
Normally, Sulfur Dioxide emission depends on absorbing efficiency and the efficiency of Sulfur Dioxide convention to Sulfur Trioxide. Each Sulfuric acid ton production has emissions two kilogram of Sulfur dioxide to the air even if the best technology is applied for the mitigation.
According to optimum efficiency at 97.5 per cent each sulfuric acid produces two kilograms of SO2 which will be spread and disperses through the atmosphere.
If the conversion efficiency is very low Sulfur Dioxide emission rate will be very high. Produced Sulfur Trioxide gas collected as a sulfur trioxide liquid in the industry is a considerable threat to the safety of the community. In event of an accidental release, there may be serious health problems. Although the industry has adopted a lot of measures to improve the safety of the operations, a considerable threat still lies within the neighborhood exposed to storage areas of Sulfur Trioxide.
Road accidents hit staggering 37,000
by Jayampathy Jayasinghe
The number of road accidents in Sri Lanka has reached a staggering 37,000, killing 2,500 persons and maiming 600 Police Media Spokesman, SP Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Observer.
He said 12,000 persons also suffered minor injuries due to road accidents and several vehicles were damaged to the tune of millions of rupees. “Many fatal accidents had occurred due to overspeeding, driving under the influence of liquor, not adhering to road rules and negligence.” The spokesman said private vans transporting office workers were also involved in several accidents due to speeding.
Jay walking also contributed to the number of fatal accidents, especially when passengers do not use pedestrian crossings.
Meanwhile, 36 cases of speeding were detected last week on the Southern Expressway.
Police have deployed several traffic policemen at the eight entry points to the Southern Highway to detect motorists driving under the influence of liquor and for overspeeding.
According to the police, six persons die daily on our roads while 85 percent of accidents occur due to the carelessness of drivers. Around 100-150 road accidents occur daily of which 45 percent are serious.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/01/01/new13.asp
The number of road accidents in Sri Lanka has reached a staggering 37,000, killing 2,500 persons and maiming 600 Police Media Spokesman, SP Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Observer.
He said 12,000 persons also suffered minor injuries due to road accidents and several vehicles were damaged to the tune of millions of rupees. “Many fatal accidents had occurred due to overspeeding, driving under the influence of liquor, not adhering to road rules and negligence.” The spokesman said private vans transporting office workers were also involved in several accidents due to speeding.
Jay walking also contributed to the number of fatal accidents, especially when passengers do not use pedestrian crossings.
Meanwhile, 36 cases of speeding were detected last week on the Southern Expressway.
Police have deployed several traffic policemen at the eight entry points to the Southern Highway to detect motorists driving under the influence of liquor and for overspeeding.
According to the police, six persons die daily on our roads while 85 percent of accidents occur due to the carelessness of drivers. Around 100-150 road accidents occur daily of which 45 percent are serious.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/01/01/new13.asp
Printing delays could kill over 22,000 smokers annually
National Alcohol and Tobacco Authority (NATA) Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka focused attention on the long delay of printing cancer related pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets in Sri Lanka. He said the delay would help the local tobacco industry to kill over 22,000 Sri Lankans annually.
He was addressing a seminar at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama to highlight the importance of printing pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets.
It was jointly organised by the National Cancer Institute (NIC) and the Jeevaka Foundation.
Prof. Fonseka said that the relevant Government authorities had neglected repeated warnings in this regard and called upon them to reconsider it at least even this year.
He said the authorities should also take stern action against cigarettes imported illegally which come from the Colombo Port, the Katunayake Airport and other channels.
Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala said that smoking has become a big threat to the society and the Health Department has taken steps to minimise tobacco consumption including the ban on the sale of tobacco related products near educational institutions, religious places, bus stands, railway stations, cinema halls, auditoriums and at welfare shops.
National Cancer Institute (NIC) Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said that at least 18,000 new cancer patients seek indoor and outdoor treatment at the Maharagama NIC every year due to tobacco smoking.
He said over 75 percent oral and lung cancers are caused due to cigarette smoking and advised people, especially the youth to refrain from smoking .
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/01/01/new04.asp
He was addressing a seminar at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama to highlight the importance of printing pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets.
It was jointly organised by the National Cancer Institute (NIC) and the Jeevaka Foundation.
Prof. Fonseka said that the relevant Government authorities had neglected repeated warnings in this regard and called upon them to reconsider it at least even this year.
He said the authorities should also take stern action against cigarettes imported illegally which come from the Colombo Port, the Katunayake Airport and other channels.
Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala said that smoking has become a big threat to the society and the Health Department has taken steps to minimise tobacco consumption including the ban on the sale of tobacco related products near educational institutions, religious places, bus stands, railway stations, cinema halls, auditoriums and at welfare shops.
National Cancer Institute (NIC) Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said that at least 18,000 new cancer patients seek indoor and outdoor treatment at the Maharagama NIC every year due to tobacco smoking.
He said over 75 percent oral and lung cancers are caused due to cigarette smoking and advised people, especially the youth to refrain from smoking .
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/01/01/new04.asp
Contrary to media predictions: No change in prices of consumer items
by P. Krishnaswamy
Prices of all essential consumer items will remain intact contrary to the predictions of certain sections of the media, President of the Old Moor Street Traders’ Association (OMSTA) K.Palaniyandy told the Sunday Observer.
The media had predicted that the prices would increase proportionate to the rupee devaluation but their Association was confident that it would not be the case as there was an adequate stock in hand for the New Year festive season and thereafter, Palaniyandy said.
OMSTA being the main wholesale distributor and importer of rice, grains, wheat, onions, lentils, eggs and other essential consumer items with a membership of over 350 wholesale traders anticipates a sharp drop in prices in the forthcoming harvest season for paddy and other agricultural products and enhanced production of vegetables, Palaniyandy said. Chicken and eggs are also available in plenty, he said.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/01/01/new02.asp
Prices of all essential consumer items will remain intact contrary to the predictions of certain sections of the media, President of the Old Moor Street Traders’ Association (OMSTA) K.Palaniyandy told the Sunday Observer.
The media had predicted that the prices would increase proportionate to the rupee devaluation but their Association was confident that it would not be the case as there was an adequate stock in hand for the New Year festive season and thereafter, Palaniyandy said.
OMSTA being the main wholesale distributor and importer of rice, grains, wheat, onions, lentils, eggs and other essential consumer items with a membership of over 350 wholesale traders anticipates a sharp drop in prices in the forthcoming harvest season for paddy and other agricultural products and enhanced production of vegetables, Palaniyandy said. Chicken and eggs are also available in plenty, he said.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/01/01/new02.asp
Less salt and sugar for better health – Dr Maheepala
Written by Manjaree Pieris
“Over 36 million people in the world die every year due to non-communicable diseases. The main causes for non-communicable diseases are un-healthy food habits, lack of exercises, smoking and intoxication”, said Dr. Palitha Maheepala, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, addressing a media seminar on Healthy Food Habits recently. The Health Education Bureau organised the seminar.
“Over 36 million people in the world die every year due to non-communicable diseases. The main causes for non-communicable diseases are un-healthy food habits, lack of exercises, smoking and intoxication”, said Dr. Palitha Maheepala, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, addressing a media seminar on Healthy Food Habits recently. The Health Education Bureau organised the seminar.
Around 30% of deaths that occur in Sri Lanka every year are due to cardio vascular diseases caused by hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
“Excess sodium intake causes hypertension - a major contributor to death, disability and costs attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Salt reduction is the most cost effective strategy to avoid such risks. Food such as French fries, dried fish, sauces and various soups containing a high percentage of salt which had been identified as high risk factors for cardio vascular diseases should be avoided”, said Dr. Virginie Mallawaraachchi of the NCD Unit of the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, Consultant Medical Nutritionist, pointed out the fact that the key factors leading to cardio vascular diseases could be eliminated by reducing the intake of salt and refraining from smoking as well as avoiding excessive liquor consumption.
She further said that high blood pressure was responsible for causing 62% of strokes and 49% of heart diseases in Sri Lanka. “One third of Sri Lankan population suffer from high blood pressure. We have to reduce salt intake by 40% over the next 5 years. Similarly most Sri Lankans get more than 15-20 teaspoons or 300-400 calories of added sugar a day. WHO recommends 10% of calories from free sugar? A sedentary female will need only six teaspoons and a male only nine teaspoons per day”, she said.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/index.php/todays-news/item/786-less-salt-and-sugar-for-better-health-%E2%80%93-dr-maheepala
“Over 36 million people in the world die every year due to non-communicable diseases. The main causes for non-communicable diseases are un-healthy food habits, lack of exercises, smoking and intoxication”, said Dr. Palitha Maheepala, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, addressing a media seminar on Healthy Food Habits recently. The Health Education Bureau organised the seminar.
“Over 36 million people in the world die every year due to non-communicable diseases. The main causes for non-communicable diseases are un-healthy food habits, lack of exercises, smoking and intoxication”, said Dr. Palitha Maheepala, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, addressing a media seminar on Healthy Food Habits recently. The Health Education Bureau organised the seminar.
Around 30% of deaths that occur in Sri Lanka every year are due to cardio vascular diseases caused by hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
“Excess sodium intake causes hypertension - a major contributor to death, disability and costs attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Salt reduction is the most cost effective strategy to avoid such risks. Food such as French fries, dried fish, sauces and various soups containing a high percentage of salt which had been identified as high risk factors for cardio vascular diseases should be avoided”, said Dr. Virginie Mallawaraachchi of the NCD Unit of the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, Consultant Medical Nutritionist, pointed out the fact that the key factors leading to cardio vascular diseases could be eliminated by reducing the intake of salt and refraining from smoking as well as avoiding excessive liquor consumption.
She further said that high blood pressure was responsible for causing 62% of strokes and 49% of heart diseases in Sri Lanka. “One third of Sri Lankan population suffer from high blood pressure. We have to reduce salt intake by 40% over the next 5 years. Similarly most Sri Lankans get more than 15-20 teaspoons or 300-400 calories of added sugar a day. WHO recommends 10% of calories from free sugar? A sedentary female will need only six teaspoons and a male only nine teaspoons per day”, she said.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/index.php/todays-news/item/786-less-salt-and-sugar-for-better-health-%E2%80%93-dr-maheepala
Sugar not ‘sweet’ for child
Written by Srian Obeyesekere
Health authorities warned parents to exercise caution in giving children too much of sugar content sweets following findings that excess weight among children was a health hazard.
“Excess weight among children, particularly the school going is a problem for the health authorities because biscuits have become a favorite of theirs,” was the message sent out to parents by Dr. Renuka Jayatissa of the Health Ministry last week.
Health authorities warned parents to exercise caution in giving children too much of sugar content sweets following findings that excess weight among children was a health hazard.
“Excess weight among children, particularly the school going is a problem for the health authorities because biscuits have become a favorite of theirs,” was the message sent out to parents by Dr. Renuka Jayatissa of the Health Ministry last week.
Dr. Jayatissa revealed that a biscuit contains as much as 275 calories which to get out of the body one needs to do walking exercises.
“Manufacturers too need to be aware of this health hazard and reduce the sugar quota in their products,” added Dr. Jayatissa.
The medical expert also sent out a warning in general to consumers against the use of excess sugar saying that consumption of six cups of tea a day amounted to taking in 120 calories.
“Sugar is the No. 1 cause for excess weight and manufacturers too need to reduce the sugar intake by 5 per cent to 10 per cent an year. Dr. Jayatissa also warned that excess weight was mainly due to lack of physical exercise and alcohol consumption.
Also highlighted the excess salt threat which increases water on the body leading to high blood pressure which led to paralysis, heart diseases and serious kidney ailments. which were life threatening.
For the record, there were heart related fatalities, 62 cases of paralysis and 49 per cent heart related patients this year.
Consumers were also warned against using frying oil other than coconut oil. “Adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process of dehydration carries the cholesterol threat creating trans fat, according to the doctor who also advised against adding sugar to vegetable preparations which created trans fat.
Dr. Jayayissa, who pointed out that there were 30 per cent of high blood pressure patients in Sri Lanka, advised the general public to consume more fruits and vegetables and grain to stay healthy. Ideally, one banana and not two is prescribed and the same goes for fruits which if over consumed caused too much calories.
“Housewives use about two teaspoonfuls of table salt, but ideally one spoon is advised and it is better to reduce it to three fourths to achieve a the normal amount,” she advised.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/index.php/todays-news/item/792-sugar-not-%E2%80%98sweet%E2%80%99-for-child
Health authorities warned parents to exercise caution in giving children too much of sugar content sweets following findings that excess weight among children was a health hazard.
“Excess weight among children, particularly the school going is a problem for the health authorities because biscuits have become a favorite of theirs,” was the message sent out to parents by Dr. Renuka Jayatissa of the Health Ministry last week.
Health authorities warned parents to exercise caution in giving children too much of sugar content sweets following findings that excess weight among children was a health hazard.
“Excess weight among children, particularly the school going is a problem for the health authorities because biscuits have become a favorite of theirs,” was the message sent out to parents by Dr. Renuka Jayatissa of the Health Ministry last week.
Dr. Jayatissa revealed that a biscuit contains as much as 275 calories which to get out of the body one needs to do walking exercises.
“Manufacturers too need to be aware of this health hazard and reduce the sugar quota in their products,” added Dr. Jayatissa.
The medical expert also sent out a warning in general to consumers against the use of excess sugar saying that consumption of six cups of tea a day amounted to taking in 120 calories.
“Sugar is the No. 1 cause for excess weight and manufacturers too need to reduce the sugar intake by 5 per cent to 10 per cent an year. Dr. Jayatissa also warned that excess weight was mainly due to lack of physical exercise and alcohol consumption.
Also highlighted the excess salt threat which increases water on the body leading to high blood pressure which led to paralysis, heart diseases and serious kidney ailments. which were life threatening.
For the record, there were heart related fatalities, 62 cases of paralysis and 49 per cent heart related patients this year.
Consumers were also warned against using frying oil other than coconut oil. “Adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process of dehydration carries the cholesterol threat creating trans fat, according to the doctor who also advised against adding sugar to vegetable preparations which created trans fat.
Dr. Jayayissa, who pointed out that there were 30 per cent of high blood pressure patients in Sri Lanka, advised the general public to consume more fruits and vegetables and grain to stay healthy. Ideally, one banana and not two is prescribed and the same goes for fruits which if over consumed caused too much calories.
“Housewives use about two teaspoonfuls of table salt, but ideally one spoon is advised and it is better to reduce it to three fourths to achieve a the normal amount,” she advised.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/index.php/todays-news/item/792-sugar-not-%E2%80%98sweet%E2%80%99-for-child
First tinned fish factory in Galle
“When I took over the Fisheries Corporation in May last year it was a loss making enterprise. It had sustained losses amounting to Rs. 103.8 million in 2009. We were able to reduce those losses to Rs. 59 million in 2010 and Rs. 23 million this year”, said Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Rajitha Senaratne.
“When I took over the Fisheries Corporation in May last year it was a loss making enterprise. It had sustained losses amounting to Rs. 103.8 million in 2009. We were able to reduce those losses to Rs. 59 million in 2010 and Rs. 23 million this year”, said Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Rajitha Senaratne.
The minister was speaking at the opening of the 104th Fisheries Corporation sales outlet at the Uragasmanhandiya town. Senaratne assured the Fisheries Corporation would turn in a profit starting from 2012, and stated it would also be able to start paying the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) payments to its employees.
“We are spending Rs. 1.5 million on building these sales outlets. When I took over the ministry, the Fisheries Corporation had just 51 sales outlets and these too were not functioning. However, within 18 months, with the help of officials from the corporation, we succeeded not just in making these 51 outlets functional, but also in opening up new outlets and bringing them to a total of 104 by today. Our aim is to expand these outlets to 230 by 2013,” Senaratne said.
The minister went on to note they had been able to increase the corporation’s contribution to the sale of fish from 0.9% to 6%, and said their goal was to increase this further to 10% by 2013. The Fisheries Corporation has increased its revenue by 60% compared to 2009. The corporation sold 2678 metric tonnes of fish in 2009. This had increased to 3572 metric tonnes by September 30, 2011. “The revenue earned from this amounted to Rs. 1370 million and this proves the corporation is on the right track, and that it is with competent officials at the top, the minister said.
“Next year, we are planning to open the first ever tinned fish production factory in Galle as a joint venture between the Government and a private company. This will be the Government’s first tinned fish production factory. We plan on producing a daily output of 15,000 cans of tinned fish from this factory” Senaratane said.
“When I took over the Fisheries Corporation in May last year it was a loss making enterprise. It had sustained losses amounting to Rs. 103.8 million in 2009. We were able to reduce those losses to Rs. 59 million in 2010 and Rs. 23 million this year”, said Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Rajitha Senaratne.
The minister was speaking at the opening of the 104th Fisheries Corporation sales outlet at the Uragasmanhandiya town. Senaratne assured the Fisheries Corporation would turn in a profit starting from 2012, and stated it would also be able to start paying the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) payments to its employees.
“We are spending Rs. 1.5 million on building these sales outlets. When I took over the ministry, the Fisheries Corporation had just 51 sales outlets and these too were not functioning. However, within 18 months, with the help of officials from the corporation, we succeeded not just in making these 51 outlets functional, but also in opening up new outlets and bringing them to a total of 104 by today. Our aim is to expand these outlets to 230 by 2013,” Senaratne said.
The minister went on to note they had been able to increase the corporation’s contribution to the sale of fish from 0.9% to 6%, and said their goal was to increase this further to 10% by 2013. The Fisheries Corporation has increased its revenue by 60% compared to 2009. The corporation sold 2678 metric tonnes of fish in 2009. This had increased to 3572 metric tonnes by September 30, 2011. “The revenue earned from this amounted to Rs. 1370 million and this proves the corporation is on the right track, and that it is with competent officials at the top, the minister said.
“Next year, we are planning to open the first ever tinned fish production factory in Galle as a joint venture between the Government and a private company. This will be the Government’s first tinned fish production factory. We plan on producing a daily output of 15,000 cans of tinned fish from this factory” Senaratane said.
Over 1,000 child sex abuses in 2011
Written by Srian Obeyesekere
Grave sexual exploitation of children has amounted to 1089 in 2011 compared to 854 in 2010, according to Police media spokesman SSP, Ajith Rohana. The incidence of rape and human trafficking cases in Sri Lanka in 2011 was on high with 1152 incidents reported from January 1 to August 31.
However, there was a drop by 652 cases as compared to the corresponding year 2010. In 2010, 1804 cases had been reported, he revealed. Despite three amendments being made to the Penal Code to punish offenders, the increase had continued, SSP Ajith Rohana said addressing a recent seminar on human trafficking.He stressed that the media had an important role to play as a part of the criminal investigation process.
Grave sexual exploitation of children has amounted to 1089 in 2011 compared to 854 in 2010, according to Police media spokesman SSP, Ajith Rohana. The incidence of rape and human trafficking cases in Sri Lanka in 2011 was on high with 1152 incidents reported from January 1 to August 31.
However, there was a drop by 652 cases as compared to the corresponding year 2010. In 2010, 1804 cases had been reported, he revealed. Despite three amendments being made to the Penal Code to punish offenders, the increase had continued, SSP Ajith Rohana said addressing a recent seminar on human trafficking.
He stressed that the media had an important role to play as a part of the criminal investigation process.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/index.php/todays-news/item/797-over-1000-child-sex-abuses-in-2011
Grave sexual exploitation of children has amounted to 1089 in 2011 compared to 854 in 2010, according to Police media spokesman SSP, Ajith Rohana. The incidence of rape and human trafficking cases in Sri Lanka in 2011 was on high with 1152 incidents reported from January 1 to August 31.
However, there was a drop by 652 cases as compared to the corresponding year 2010. In 2010, 1804 cases had been reported, he revealed. Despite three amendments being made to the Penal Code to punish offenders, the increase had continued, SSP Ajith Rohana said addressing a recent seminar on human trafficking.He stressed that the media had an important role to play as a part of the criminal investigation process.
Grave sexual exploitation of children has amounted to 1089 in 2011 compared to 854 in 2010, according to Police media spokesman SSP, Ajith Rohana. The incidence of rape and human trafficking cases in Sri Lanka in 2011 was on high with 1152 incidents reported from January 1 to August 31.
However, there was a drop by 652 cases as compared to the corresponding year 2010. In 2010, 1804 cases had been reported, he revealed. Despite three amendments being made to the Penal Code to punish offenders, the increase had continued, SSP Ajith Rohana said addressing a recent seminar on human trafficking.
He stressed that the media had an important role to play as a part of the criminal investigation process.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/index.php/todays-news/item/797-over-1000-child-sex-abuses-in-2011
`India can’t take back Kachchatheevu,’’: official
BY s Venkat Narayan Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: India cannot take back Kachchatheevu from Sri Lanka for the simple reason that the uninhabited island in the Palk Strait falls on the Sri Lankan side of the international maritime boundary line (IMBL), and India had formally ceded it to the island nation through the 1974 and 1976 agreements, a senior central government official has said.
"How can we take back an island that is clearly on the Sri Lankan side of the IMBL ? The Government of India is actually fighting in courts nearly a dozen cases that have been filed, demanding that Kachchatheevu be taken back from Sri Lanka," the official told the Sunday Island here on Thursday.
Kachchatheevu is a 285-acre or 1.15sq km island situated between the two countries. It used to be a part of India until June 1974, when India ceded it to Sri Lanka by signing a boundary agreement. It is now a part of the Jaffna district in the island-nation’s northern province.
Indian fishermen have rights to the rich fishing grounds in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka around Kachchatheevu. The St Anthony Church on the barren island attracts devotees from both the countries.
Quite often, Indian fishermen stray into Sri Lankan side of the IMBL and get into trouble with Sri Lankan naval authorites. They get arrested, their fishing vessels are seized, and there are incidents of firing and injuries. These incidents continue to cause problems for the governments of both the countries.
The problems of the fishermen of Jaffna and Tamil Nadu will be discussed at a meeting of the joint working group on fishing of both the countries in Colombo next month.
Early this year, Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna appealed to fishermen from Tamil Nadu to respect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, and refrain from crossing the IMBL.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and General Secretary of the state’s ruling AIADMK Jayaram Jayalalithaa is possibly the most vociferous in demanding that India retrieve Kachchatheevu from Sri Lanka.
On June 10 this year, the Tamil Nadu assembly adopted a unanimous resolution calling upon the state’s Revenue Department to implede itself in a case filed by Ms Jayalalithaa in the Supreme Court in August 2008. In that case, she has sought the declaration of the 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka on ceding Kachchatheevu to Sri Lanka as "unconstitutional."
Speaking on the resolution, Ms Jayalalithaa said she has been making efforts to retrieve the island from Sri Lanka at least for the last 20 years. In September 2004, she presented a memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, calling upon the central government to retrieve Kachchatheevu through a "lease in perpetuity" and restore it to Tamil Nadu fishermen.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42293
නව වසරේ අලූතින් වැව් හා ජලාශ 10 ක්
උපාලි ද සේරම්
දිවයිනේ දුෂ්කර ප්රදේශ ගණනාවක කෘෂිකර්ම සංවර්ධනය සඳහා වැව් හා ජලාශ දහයක් ඉදි කිරීමට 2012 වසරේදී පියවර ගන්නා බව වාරිමාර්ග හා ජලසම්පත් කළමනාකරණ ඇමැති නිමල් සිරිපාල ද සිල්වා මහතා පැවසීය. 2012 වසර සඳහා අයවැයෙන් වාරිමාර්ග ක්ෂේත්රය සඳහා රුපියල් කෝටි 3,600 ක් වෙන්කර ඇති බවත් එම මුදල් වැය කර මෙම වැව් හා ජලාශ ඉදි කරන බවත් ඇමැතිවරයා සඳහන් කළේය.
ඊට අමතරව බදුල්ල දිස්ත්රික්කයේ රිදීමාලියෑද්ද ප්රදේශයේ වාරිමාර්ග පහසුකම් නැංවීම සඳහා මොරාන වැව ඉදිකිරීමටත්, රත්නපුර දිස්ත්රික්කයේ ඇල්ලේවැව, මාතර දිස්ත්රික්කයේ දිගිලි ඔය, අම්පාර දිස්ත්රික්කයේ කළුගල් ඔය, මන්නාරම දිස්ත්රික්කයේ පහළ මල්වතු ඔය, පොළොන්නරුව දිස්ත්රික්කයේ කවුඩුල්ල වැවේ ඉවුර සහ අනුරාධපුරය හා ත්රිකුණාමලය දිස්ත්රික්කවලද තෝරාගත් ජලාශ කිහිපයක්ද වැඩිදියුණු කිරීමට පියවර ගනු ලබන බවත් කීවේය.
මෙම ව්යාපෘති විදේශ ණය ආධාර ලබා නොගෙන දේශීය අරමුදල් මගින් වාරිමාර්ග දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවේ දේශීය ඉංජිනේරුවන් ඇතුළු කාර්ය මණ්ඩලයේ සහාය ලබාගෙන සිදු කරන බවද ඇමැති නිමල් සිරිපාල ද සිල්වා මහතා වැඩිදුරටත් සඳහන් කළේය.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/01/news05.html
දිවයිනේ දුෂ්කර ප්රදේශ ගණනාවක කෘෂිකර්ම සංවර්ධනය සඳහා වැව් හා ජලාශ දහයක් ඉදි කිරීමට 2012 වසරේදී පියවර ගන්නා බව වාරිමාර්ග හා ජලසම්පත් කළමනාකරණ ඇමැති නිමල් සිරිපාල ද සිල්වා මහතා පැවසීය. 2012 වසර සඳහා අයවැයෙන් වාරිමාර්ග ක්ෂේත්රය සඳහා රුපියල් කෝටි 3,600 ක් වෙන්කර ඇති බවත් එම මුදල් වැය කර මෙම වැව් හා ජලාශ ඉදි කරන බවත් ඇමැතිවරයා සඳහන් කළේය.
ඊට අමතරව බදුල්ල දිස්ත්රික්කයේ රිදීමාලියෑද්ද ප්රදේශයේ වාරිමාර්ග පහසුකම් නැංවීම සඳහා මොරාන වැව ඉදිකිරීමටත්, රත්නපුර දිස්ත්රික්කයේ ඇල්ලේවැව, මාතර දිස්ත්රික්කයේ දිගිලි ඔය, අම්පාර දිස්ත්රික්කයේ කළුගල් ඔය, මන්නාරම දිස්ත්රික්කයේ පහළ මල්වතු ඔය, පොළොන්නරුව දිස්ත්රික්කයේ කවුඩුල්ල වැවේ ඉවුර සහ අනුරාධපුරය හා ත්රිකුණාමලය දිස්ත්රික්කවලද තෝරාගත් ජලාශ කිහිපයක්ද වැඩිදියුණු කිරීමට පියවර ගනු ලබන බවත් කීවේය.
මෙම ව්යාපෘති විදේශ ණය ආධාර ලබා නොගෙන දේශීය අරමුදල් මගින් වාරිමාර්ග දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවේ දේශීය ඉංජිනේරුවන් ඇතුළු කාර්ය මණ්ඩලයේ සහාය ලබාගෙන සිදු කරන බවද ඇමැති නිමල් සිරිපාල ද සිල්වා මහතා වැඩිදුරටත් සඳහන් කළේය.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/01/news05.html
අල්ලස් කොමිසමේ නිලධාරියකුටත් දූෂණ චෝදනා එල්ල වේ
සමන්ත ඉලේපෙරුම
අල්ලස් හෝ දූෂණ චෝදනා විමර්ශන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ කොමසාරිස්වරයෙකුට එරෙහිව ලද දූෂණ චෝදනා පැමිණිල්ලක් සම්බන්ධයෙන් එම කොමිෂන් සභාව මඟින් විමර්ශනයක් ආරම්භ කර ඇත. අල්ලස් කොමිසමේ කොමසාරිස්වරයෙකු ලෙසින් පත්වීමට පෙර දරනු ලැබූ තනතුරේ සිටියදී ඔහු විසින් සිදු කළ දූෂණයකට අදාළව ලද පැමිණිල්ලක් අනුව මෙහි විමර්ශන ආරම්භ කර ඇති අතර මේ වන විට එම පැමිණිලි ගොනුව සම්බන්ධයෙන් විමර්ශන පැවැත්වීමට කොමිසමේ විමර්ශන ඒකකය වෙත යොමු කොට ඇති බවට අල්ලස් කොමිෂන් සභා ආරංචිමාර්ග සඳහන් කරයි.
එල්ලවී ඇති දූෂණ චෝදනාවන්ට අධිකරණ ක්රියාමාර්ගයක් ගැනීමට සිදු වුවහොත් ඔහුට කොමසාරිස් තනතුරින් ඉල්ලා අස්වීමට සිදු වන බවද එම ආරංචිමාර්ග පවසයි.
අල්ලස් කොමිසම කොමසාරිස්වරුන් තිදෙනකු ගෙන් සමන්විත අතර ඔවුන් අතරින් දෙදෙනකු විශ්රාමලත් ශ්රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ හෝ අභියාචනාධිකරණ විනිසුරුවරුන් වන අතර එක් අයෙක් අපරාධ විමර්ශයන්ට සහ නීතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීමට අදාළ පුළුල් පළපුරුද්දක් ඇති අයෙකි.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/01/news04.html
අල්ලස් හෝ දූෂණ චෝදනා විමර්ශන කොමිෂන් සභාවේ කොමසාරිස්වරයෙකුට එරෙහිව ලද දූෂණ චෝදනා පැමිණිල්ලක් සම්බන්ධයෙන් එම කොමිෂන් සභාව මඟින් විමර්ශනයක් ආරම්භ කර ඇත. අල්ලස් කොමිසමේ කොමසාරිස්වරයෙකු ලෙසින් පත්වීමට පෙර දරනු ලැබූ තනතුරේ සිටියදී ඔහු විසින් සිදු කළ දූෂණයකට අදාළව ලද පැමිණිල්ලක් අනුව මෙහි විමර්ශන ආරම්භ කර ඇති අතර මේ වන විට එම පැමිණිලි ගොනුව සම්බන්ධයෙන් විමර්ශන පැවැත්වීමට කොමිසමේ විමර්ශන ඒකකය වෙත යොමු කොට ඇති බවට අල්ලස් කොමිෂන් සභා ආරංචිමාර්ග සඳහන් කරයි.
එල්ලවී ඇති දූෂණ චෝදනාවන්ට අධිකරණ ක්රියාමාර්ගයක් ගැනීමට සිදු වුවහොත් ඔහුට කොමසාරිස් තනතුරින් ඉල්ලා අස්වීමට සිදු වන බවද එම ආරංචිමාර්ග පවසයි.
අල්ලස් කොමිසම කොමසාරිස්වරුන් තිදෙනකු ගෙන් සමන්විත අතර ඔවුන් අතරින් දෙදෙනකු විශ්රාමලත් ශ්රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ හෝ අභියාචනාධිකරණ විනිසුරුවරුන් වන අතර එක් අයෙක් අපරාධ විමර්ශයන්ට සහ නීතිය ක්රියාත්මක කිරීමට අදාළ පුළුල් පළපුරුද්දක් ඇති අයෙකි.
http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/01/news04.html
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