News in brief

Death of Srimathie Lokuge

PILIYANDALA: The death occurred yesterday of Daya Srimathie Lokuge, wife of Colombo District UNP Parliamentarian and former minister Gamini Lokuge.

She was 65. A retired teacher of several schools including Dharmasena Atygalle Vidyalaya, Kesbewa, she was a popular figure with both teachers and thousands of students who passed through her hands.

She was also a benefactor of several temples in Kesbewa.

She leaves behind two daughters. Her remains lie at the family residence at No.157/10 Honnanthara, Piliyandala.

The funeral will take place on Sunday at Dolekanatte Cemetery at 4 p.m.

Increasing of tax income a necessity

MATALE: The necessity to increase the tax income by eighteen per cent has been felt by the authorities, said Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Department A. M. Wijepala. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of Matale district regional office. He was the chief guest.

He said within this year measures will be taken to increase the number of ratepayers from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand. Every year fifty crores are spent on medicine and drugs and medical equipment.

All expenditures including of the government servants' salary, pension payments and development expenses have to be borne by tax income. So the ratepayers should be motivated to increase the lax income and to satisfy this need the service of the Inland Revenue Department should be expanded.

Lankan doctor donates houses for tsunami affected

KALUTARA: Twenty-five houses were donated to the families whose houses were completely damaged by tsunami at Katukurunda, Kalutara by a Sri Lankan Dr. Morris Wickremaratna.

The houses were constructed at 'Thapowanaya', Katukurunda, Kalutara. The land was donated by the chief incumbent of Sri Jayewardhana Sanghawasaya, Katukurunda and 'Thapowanaya' Ven. Ginigathene Gnanasiha Thera.

When the tsunami occurred he was not in Sri Lanka but he returned to Sri Lanka immediately and visited the affected areas of the coastal region in Kalutara. He has decided to construct several houses to be donated to the displaced families.

Former Vice-Chairman of Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha Frank Vasantha de Silva co-ordinated and obtained the land at Katukurunda, Kalutara for construction of houses.

The houses were constructed within six months providing all facilities including a road heading to the housing project, electricity, pipe-borne water facilities. Dutch Ambassador and his wife, participated at the ceremony to hand over the houses to the victims. Dr. Rajitha Senaratna, MP also participated.