Colombo Page (Sri Lanka)
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Sri Lanka plans for 7 flyovers and 54 bridges to ease growing traffic congestion
Government of the United Kingdom has come forward to help the Government of Sri Lanka to build 7 flyovers and 54 bridges around the country. The first of these flyovers was the recently opened Kelaniya flyover. Other locations for such measures will include Kohuwala, Armour Street, Lotus junction in front of Hilton Colombo, Chatham Street, Bastian Mawatha, Dehiwala Junction, and several other traffic prone areas. Each flyover will be 300 meters long and cost about 1 billion rupees. It will take 6 months to complete the construction.
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HIV cases rising in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Health Ministry said the amount of money it spends on HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns has increased by 20 percent last year when compared to the amount spent in 2006. Health Ministry reported that it has spent 1.44 millions rupees on AIDS prevention programs last year and more island wide programs are already underway to increase public awareness. According to the Health Ministry statistics the number of reported HIV/AIDS cases has increased by 70 in the year 2007.
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Sri Lanka to implement a national policy on land appropriation
Sri Lanka is preparing to implement a national policy on appropriation of land in the country. The Deputy Director of Planning of Land Policies at the Ministry of Land and Land Development, D.A. Jayananda says unsystematic land utilization has created many environmental problems in Sri Lanka and reduced the productivity of many lands cultivated with tea, coconut, rubber or any other cash crops significantly.
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Sri Lanka to impose VAT on water bills
Water Supply And Water Drainage Board of Sri Lanka has decided to impose the Value Added Tax (VAT) to water bills with fewer than 25 units. Additional General Manager of the Water Board said the 15% VAT will be applied to water bills with fewer than 25 units, effective from last July. He pointed out that 75% of the Sri Lankan water consumers use fewer than 25 units per month. Meanwhile the Water Board has decided to increase the VAT by 5% for the water bills with higher than 25 units, Additional General Manager added.
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Sri Lanka to impose VAT on water bills
Water Supply And Water Drainage Board of Sri Lanka has decided to impose the Value Added Tax (VAT) to water bills with fewer than 25 units. Additional General Manager of the Water Board said the 15% VAT will be applied to water bills with fewer than 25 units, effective from last July. He pointed out that 75% of the Sri Lankan water consumers use fewer than 25 units per month. Meanwhile the Water Board has decided to increase the VAT by 5% for the water bills with higher than 25 units, Additional General Manager added.
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Sri Lankan government to conserve the environment
The Sri Lankan government stated that it is their objective to conserve the environment for the future generations. Speaking at a press conference held today in Colombo, Minister of Environment, Patali Champika Ranawaka said the government has already launched several projects for the protection of the environment. The government has taken measures to establish an air pollution-monitoring unit in the Doramadalawa area in Anuradhapura. The Minister added that under these measures, the government will take action against those who contribute to the air pollution.
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President launches World Bank project for Dam Safety and Water Resources Planning in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today launched the World Bank funded project to improve the operational efficiency of some 80 ageing dams and to establish sustainable institutional arrangements for safety management and operations and maintenance of major dams in Sri Lanka in Polonnaruwa today. World Bank has approved a US$65.33 million credit to fund the project to improve 32 of the 80 dams that have been categorized as high risk.
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Funds to ensure food security for displaced families in Sri Lanka
Government of Japan recently donated US $ 87,651 (approximately 9.34 million rupees) to the "Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Sharamadana Sangamaya Inc.,' to secure food supply to the resettled internally displaced families in the Batticaloa District. A statement issued by the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said the funds released to the non governmental organization will assist the returning IDP families to enhance their food security and income sources in Manmunai South West, a conflict affected area, to get back to normalcy.
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Opponents say Sri Lankan government finds environmental excuse to abandon the airport project
Hambanthota: Sri Lankan government yesterday abandoned the proposed project to build the second international airport in the country highlighting certain concerns raised by environmentalists and paddy farmers in the Weeravila area. The government announced that considering an appeal made by the people of the Weeravila area to shift the proposed international airport to another location, the Minister of Ports and Aviation, Chamal Rajapaksa has directed the relevant authorities to divert the intended project to Maththala area in the Hambantota district.
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Sri Lanka Central Environment Authority imposes another burden on public
Sri Lanka's Central Environment Authority (CEA) yesterday imposed another financial burden on the public by asking them to pay for the polyethylene sacks supermarkets use for bagging the groceries for free of charge normally. At a media briefing held to announce this decision, the Environment Minister and Ultra Nationalist Party, Jathika Hela Urumaya MP, Patali Champaka Ranawaka stated that the decision has been taken to prevent consumers misusing the bags. He said that all supermarket owners have agreed to this decision.