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by Nelson Piyaratne

A simple request for lighting the electrified fence between Yala and Sella Kataragama had been discussed for seven consecutive years with no response from the CEB Mr. J.M. Ananda Kumarasiri Moneragala said last week.

If the CEB's claim was that it had no equipment or money, he was prepared to give one from his own home.

This was one of the subjects discussed at a meeting of the Kataragama Regional Development Committee at the Divisional Secretariat on Friday.

Kataragama belongs to the Uva Province, but the area was strongly influenced by the Southern Province Administration. The Kataragama Co-operative outlet was one example.

Mr. Kumarasiri said the Kataragama Gam Udawa of 1987 had breathed new life into this small district. The present water supply was one of the improvements, but today so many years later it had deteriorated and is in need of maintenance.

Rs. two million and six thousand had been allotted to Dambe Para in Sellakataragama. There will be no political interference if government servants execute their duties but they must do a genuine work for the general public.

There is a great demand for the lands in Kataragama. Outsiders has bought the prime lands and those who were born and bred here had none. A plan will be implemented to provide lands to residents here. According to 100 days accelerated program dilapidated tanks will be repaired. Gomakema Wewa started by the Samurdhi movement will be continued by them.

Chairperson Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha Asoka Wickramasinghe said that according to the order of the President Chandrika Kumaratunga the Wild Life Conservation Department had taken over Vilamba Wewa and its paddy fields to the extent of 200 acres depriving farmers who depended on these paddy fields.

He said that action should be taken over the deaths of two infants at Kataragama district hospital within one month after they were injected the triple injection.

"I have informed this matter to Sajith Premadasa, Deputy Minister of Health, he said.

Kataragama P.H.I. A.P. Chaminda Kumara said that two infant deaths had occurred but a post death motion was not held into the first infant's because of baby's parents. But parts of organs of the second body were sent to Colombo for analysis. It is only three in hundred thousand who are affected by the triple injection.

Kataragama P.S. member P. Disanayake said that Kataragama Gangaramaya was creating an environmental problem regarding their sewerage system.

Kataragama P.S. member Amal Prasanna added that 80% of the lavatory waste of the Gangaramaya was being diverted to Menik Ganga through pipes. People have to drink and bathe in this water.

Kataragama Grama Niladhari Anura Wickramasinghe said that some carpentry shops in the area issue timber permits to timber racketeers who fell valuable trees in the jungles around Kataragama and transport them to Colombo. This is a national crime and should be stopped at once.

Divisional Secretary Kataragama Buddhapriya Nigamuni said most of the roots of the trees in the jungle have been removed by some people to make wooden arts so these trees will die leaving a barren land behind.

W. Nigamuni further said that the electricity bill for the home for the elders in Kataragama reaches Rs. 6,000-7,000 and it should be decreased as the institution has no income to pay. The CEB was levying business rates he said.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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