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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Floods recede: 9 dead, 50,000 affected
Floods and landslides which accompanied the heavy deluge, specially during the last two days, were showing signs of receding but had left nine people dead and over 50,000 affected in eight districts, authorities said yesterday. Weather experts predict more heavy showers accompanied by lightning and strong winds during the next 45 days (specially after two weeks) with the monsoon reaching its climax.
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Floods take heavy toll
Floods took a heavy toll in several districts with several deaths reported and nearly 8,000 families displaced while cutting off access roads in many areas due to heavy flooding and obstructions by landslides. 7,860 families (33,408 persons) were reported displaced in Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, Gampaha and Kegalle. Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Badiudeen has directed the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries of the relevant districts to carry out immediate relief work.
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New health insurance scheme for nationals
All UAE nationals are eligible for free health insurance that will cover their expenses at both public and private healthcare centres across the country and emergency treatment abroad, the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD) announced yesterday. The new health insurance scheme would include mandatory periodic medical examination - Weqaya - and a comprehensive health insurance scheme - Thiqa.
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UN forms task force to tackle food crisis
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday ordered a top level task force to take on the global crisis caused by rising food prices and urged key producer nations to end export bans. The UN chief said the immediate priority must be to "feed the hungry" and called for urgent funding for the World Food Programme. Ban said after a meeting of the heads of 27 key international agencies that the new task force would be led by the UN's top humanitarian official, deputy under-secretary John Holmes.
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Landslide threat in eight districts
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday warned the public to be vigilant on sudden landslides that could occur in eight districts Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle and Matara as a result of torrential rains.
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More water supply projects for EP
Moves are underway to spend Rs. 50,151 million on drinking water projects for the Eastern Province.
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Rising food prices a global crisis - UN Chief
Rising food prices have developed into a global crisis, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday. Concerns about food security mounted this week as rice prices hit records in Asia and the United States warned that staples for the world's hungry were getting much more expensive. "This steeply rising price of food has developed into a real global crisis,' Ban told journalists in Vienna. Anger over high food and fuel costs in recent months has sparked protests in several countries.
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Chikungunya affects over 2,000 Ratnapura families
Over 2,000 families in three areas in the Ratnapura district have been affected by Chikungunya while 500 patients with fever sought treatment at the Eheliyagoda hospital last Thursday, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. The Ministry also warned of possible outbreaks of diseases like dengue, malaria and filaria following the rains the country is experiencing. He said the Ministry has made arrangements to control the outbreak under the direction of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
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Brandix leads green drive
Brandix will be the first Lankan apparel factory to get the LEED USA (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification as a converted Green factory, said Brandix Group Director AJ Johnpillai. Brandix Group Director, Johnpillai and Head of Technology, M&S Paschal Little. Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa
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Banks to allocate 10 p.c. of lending portfolio to agriculture
The Central Bank's decision requesting commercial banks to dedicate 10 per cent of their lending portfolio to agriculture would have far reaching benefits to the economy, Deputy Government Central Bank Dr. Uthum Herath said. Herath said such a decision has not been taken before. "Though over 30 per cent of the public is engaged in agriculture banks were not giving preferential treatment when it comes to borrowing.