Fire destroys 35 acres of forest land
Around 35 acres of forest was destroyed on Saturday in a fire that erupted in the protected areas of the Castlereagh reservoir and Devon Falls. Police suspect that the fire has been deliberately caused
Daily News (Sri Lanka)
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June - Nutrition Month
The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has declared June as the 'Nutrition Month' under the direction of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. This is aimed at upgrading the nutrition level of infants, children and mothers, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. He said Sri Lanka's infant and maternal mortality rate is very low when comparing with the other countries of the world but the people's interest in nutrition is very unsatisfactory. Due to this situation, people do not follow proper methods to preserve nutrition when preparing food.
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Flood havoc - Relief for flood- hit:
: The heavy deluge experienced during the last couple of days which caused flooding and landslides has wreaked havoc in several parts of the country, leaving at least four people dead and more than 50,000 affected. In addition around 8,000 families were reported as displaced by yesterday. Weathermen warned yesterday that there was a risk of more landslides and floods as heavy rains would accompany the onset of Southwest Monsoon, expected to get established over the island within the next two days.
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Awareness campaign to combat iron deficiency
A series of awareness programmes will be mooted to combat iron deficiency among expectant mothers and children, to mark the National Nutrition Month which begins on June 2. The Family Health Bureau, Health Education Bureau and the Medical Research Institute will implement the programmes, an Information Ministry release said. According to the Family Health Bureau, in Sri Lanka 30 per cent of expectant mothers and 20 per cent of children are suffering from iron-deficiency.
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Dengue hits Colombo city
There is a 95 per cent increase in the number of dengue cases in the Colombo city alone, the Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) revealed. Eighteen patients have already been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital during this month. "This is an alarming situation and there is a possibility of a rise in the number of dengue patients in the coming months unless proper action is taken to control mosquito breeding," Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said.
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Project to cultivate all medicinal herbs locally
Sri Lanka spends nearly Rs. 200 million to import 44 kinds of ayurvedic medicines from India every year. A recent survey conducted by the Indigenous Medicine Ministry has revealed that medicinal herbs required to prepare 37 kinds of these Ayurvedic medicines could be cultivated in the country.
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Gas conversion mooted for three wheelers
The Government has decided to save 40 per cent of money spent on fuel for three-wheelers by converting them for running on gas. This will reduce the burden on both three-wheeler drivers and commuters due to recent fuel price hike. Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma told the Daily News that the fuel price hike is a heavy burden on the economy and this decision was taken with the objective of reducing the hardships of commuters. There are over 300,000 three-wheelers in the country and users are facing a difficult situation due to the petrol price hike.
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Danish assistance for two mega projects
The Danish Government has provided two interest free loans of Rs. 7.7 billion and Rs. 8.8 billion for the construction of Oluvil Port and the Kelani Right Bank Water Treatment Plant under the Danish Mixed Credit Programme. The funds are channelled through the Nordea Bank of Denmark. The proposed Oluvil Port will have the capability to cater to large ships with in-built tanks exceeding the eight metre depth level mark.
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Promote literacy, fight-hunger - Rotary Chief Wilkinson
Rotary International President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson urged all Rotary Clubs to take on projects that promote literacy, fight hunger and disease and alleviate the water shortage plaguing much of the developing world. "Our work in these areas address the root of poverty and conflict and thus further the goal of world peace and understanding,"Wilkinson told at a ceremony to mark the successful completion of the "School Re-Awaken Project" implemented by the Rotary International District 3220 Sri Lanka.
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Rs. 2.5b investment for Mini City
A consortium of three leading corporates would invest over Rs. 2,5 billion for a combined mixed development project of their properties which are situated adjacent to each other in Colombo 2. John Keells Holdings, Associated Motorways and Finlays Colombo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake a feasibility study for this project expected to be a landmark in the city of Colombo. The construction of the project is expected to commence in 2010.