News in brief

Tsunami donations

Rs. 10,562.6 million has been received by the Government, Non-Governmental Organisations and others in Sri Lanka as private, foreign and local donations through banking channels towards tsunami disaster relief.

This includes Rs. 1355.8 million received by the Government through the Central Bank and the two state commercial banks, a release said yesterday.

Help for visually handicapped tsunami victims

The Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped (SLFVH) the pioneer and premier national self-help organisation of the visually handicapped community in the country is endeavouring to assist visually handicapped members and their families affected by the tsunami tidal wave.

The SLFVH has requested visually handicapped members to furnish details of their plight supported by a document from the Grama Niladari or Divisional Secretary to the federation to consider assistance on case by case basis.

During the past 30 years since its establishment the SLFVH has helped the visually handicapped community in time of crisis.

The visually handicapped members should write to the General Secretary, Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped, 74, Church Street, Colombo 02, Phone 2437768/4720148, Fax 2437768.
 

Financial aid to provincial journalists affected by tsunami

The International Federation of Journalists will provide financial assistance to employees of media institutes and provincial journalists affected by the December 26 tsunami.

The Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions will distribute financial aid among media workers and provincial journalists of the North, East and South numbering approximately 70 attached to the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd, (Lake House) Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Independent Television Network and several private media institutions.

The event will be held at Renuka Hotel in Colombo 3 on March 29, at 10.00 a.m.

Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama will be the chief guest. Parliamentarians R. Sambanthan leader of the Tamil National Alliance, Rauf Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, leading trade union leaders and representatives of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association and Free Media Movement will participate.

One million more phone connections envisaged

by Malmi Sellahannadi

Lanka Bell, Suntel and Lanka Internet are joining hands to give one million telephone connections.

Posts, Telecommunications and Udarata Development Minister D. M. Jayaratne said the transport service, electricity service and communication service supplies are being managed in an unsatisfactory manner in Sri Lanka.

"The Government intends to generate electricity through mini hydro electricity projects and solar power", the Minister said.

Telecom has projected providing 60,000 direct and 57,000 wireless connections a year, he said.

Telephone facilities will be provided to village and town areas.

Three telecom companies are expected to venture into Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, the Minister said.

"We are awaiting for a reply from Sri Lanka Telecom," Deputy Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Udarata Development Rohitha Abeygunawardena said.

UDA, CMC in housing project

by Malmi Sellahannadi

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) started building 240 houses at Mattakkuliya last week, Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardena said.

UDA has received five hectares of land for a another project, he said.

Borella and Wellawatte markets will be reconstructed in the near future, Mayor said.

Colombo Municipal Council Member M. Dayakantha Perera said he will give Rs. 500,000 from his funds to build houses in the Colombo north area.