Quick Look

PMB purchases 850 MT of paddy

Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has purchased 850 metric tons of paddy from farmers in Anuradhapura in the Yala season this year.

The PMB has spent Rs 238,000 to buy paddy across its regional purchasing centres at Galnewa, Negama, Katiyawa, Kekirawa, Wilachchiya, Gomarankadawala and Kebithigollewa.

PMB Anuradhapura Regional Manager Bandula Kumara says the PMB is willing to purchase 40,000 MTs of paddy at the Government certified price in Anuradhapura district, and that funds have already been allocated.

Suspects with cattle arrested

Three suspects taking 16 cows and eight buffaloes to Kandana, Uswatta slaughter house were arrested in the early hours of the Poya Day, August 24 on a tip off received by Kandana police OIC Lucky Randeniya. Three cows and three buffaloes had died at the time of the police detection. Police say these cattle worth Rs. 2.4 million had been transported from Suriyawewa.

Kandana police IP Kumarapeli and Sergeant Jinadasa made the detection on the instructions of OIC Lucky Randeniya. Photograph by Lesley Perera, Ja-Ela central correspondent.

Reservoir project expedited

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry will expedite the development works of the Hewaheta Gurugal Oya reservoir in Kandy district, said Director D M Abeyratne in a press release.

After the completion of the project 810 hectares of land could be cultivated in Yala and Maha seasons benefitting 2,400 families in the area.

In addition, water supply to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Delthota and Hewaheta will also be streamlined through this project.

It will cost Rs 400 million, the Director said. The project is due to be completed in 2012.

Heavy fines on drunk drivers

Kapila Somarathne - Panadura group corr

Fifteen drivers who pleaded guilty to the charges of driving under the influence of liquor on the Galle road were fined Rs 7,000 each by Panadura Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake. The drivers’ licences were also suspended for two months.

Upanda Maranaya

‘Upanda Maranaya’ a drama written an staged by Nalaka Vithanage will be staged again in the Homagama Buddhist and Pali University Hall on September 01 at 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm.

Kurunegala DDC Chairman

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando has been appointed Kurunegala District Development Committee Chairman by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.