Quick Look

Minister proposes sterilisation program for monkeys

Yasarathna Gamage - Anuradhapura CDN corr.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa instructed wildlife officials to start a sterilisation program for monkeys to reduce the damage done to cultivations of farmers by monkeys including Torque monkeys.

Public representatives at the Anuradhapura district coordinating committee meeting recently expressed their views on the menace.

The minister suggested to control the birth rate of monkeys and added that funds could be allocated from the Wari Pubuduwa project.

Women liquor dealers in hot water

Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya Group Correspondent

Six women who pleaded guilty to possessing illegally manufactured arrack were imposed fines amounting to Rs 49,000 by Gampaha Additional Magistrate Indika Attanayake.

Gampaha Police Vice Squad made the detection.

New stamp to mark Peradeniya University anniversary

Nihal Jayawardena and Samanthi Weerasekara

The Postal Department will issue a new stamp worth Rs. 15 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Peradeniya University Engineering Faculty.

Accordingly, the cancellation of the First Day Cover of the stamp will be held at the Construction Training and Development Institute (ICTD) on September 9 with the participation of Posts and Telecommunications Minister Jeewan Kumarathunga.

The Peradeniya University Engineering Faculty was started in 1950. Peradeniya University Vice Chancellor S.B.S.Abeykoon , Engeering Faculty Dean and all academic and non- academic staff of the Engineering Faculty will attend the event.

Kandy reports 60 percent drop in dengue patients

Thilak Pushpakumara Senanayake

Three dengue related deaths and over 1,000 patients were reported in the Kandy District from January to August this year.

This is a 60 percent drop in the number of dengue patients when compared to the corresponding period last year, Kandy District Health Service Director WGA Dissanayake said. During this year, 264 dengue patients were reported from Kandy Urban Council area, 218 from the Hasalaka area, 130 patients from Akurana, 105 from Pasbage and 86 from Harispattuwa areas respectively, he said.

Student knocked down

A 10 year student of the Ambatenna Vidyalaya was admitted to the Kandy General Hospital in a critical condition after being knocked down by a motorcycle while trying to cross the road on his way home after the first day of the new school term. Police said the motorcyclist had lost control of the machine. He has been taken into custody. The victim has been identified as M D Chrishantha from Ambatenna.

Death of former ANCL staffer

The death occurred of H W Seram (76) formerly attached to the Lake House Transport Department. He is the father of H S Seram of the Lake House Transport Department and Jayantha Seram (Lake House Sinhala Proof Reading Department). Cortege leaves No 85, Diklanda, Mellawagedera for cremation on Wednesday, September 8 at 4 p.m. at the Mellawagedera Cemetery.

Acting NWP Chief Minister

Mohamed Maharoof - Kurunegala South Group Corr.

North Western Province (NWP) Health Minister Asoka Wadigamangawa took oaths as the Acting Chief Minister of North Western Provincial Council, before the NWP Governor Tissa R Balalle at the Governor’s office, Kurunegala last morning.

The NWP Chief Minister is abroad on an official visit.

Dengue education program

Richmond Wijesekera - Bentota group correspondent

The Bentota Pradeshiya Sabha in collaboration with the Divisional Secretariat, Bentota-Induruwa Lions Club, Bentota Sports Club, Bentota Police and supported by the ITN and Lakhanda are conducting a joint program to educate the public by conducting awareness program to combat the dengue menace.

Bentota PS Chairman Jackson Kottahachchi is spearheading the campaign.

Children and elders took part in a procession from the PS office to the town carrying placards.

Several three wheelers and motorcycles also joined the procession.

Bentota PS Chairman Jackson Kottahachchi addressing a meeting at Kahabiliyakanda Junction, Bentota said each family should take care to have their houses and the surroundings clean. Garbage disposal and cleaning the drains should be carried out regularly.

To motivate people towards the eradication of dengue mosquitoes the Government has decided to increase the fine for those who allow mosquitoes to breed in their premises.

According to new rules introduced culprits could be fined Rs 15,000.

Scientific Congress

The Sri Lankan Society of Occupational Therapists will hold its fifth Scientific Congress in Occupational Therapy on September 10 at “Wet Water Resort,” Ja-Ela Road, Ambanwita, Gampaha.

The theme of the congress is “Occupational Therapy for Elderly Care” and lectures delivered by the team of foreign experts from Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society and University of Putra Malaysia.