200 million rupees to be assigned for each divisional secretariat zone, under the 'Gamperaliya Accelerated Rural Development Programme'

The 'Gamperaliya Accelerated Rural Development Programme' will be expanded islandwide. The programme was launched in Monaragala recently. The government intends to carry forward with this programme, the 'Grama Shakthi Programme' introduced upon a concept of the President, and the Development Drive to reconstruct road networks and housing facilities in rural areas introduced by the Premier. The sum allocated for Gamperaliya is 64 billion rupees. Under this allocation, 200 million rupees will be assigned for specific tasks in each divisional secretariat zone.

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The Minister of Health once again raises the concern of non-communicable diseases that have become a major health problem

Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratna raises the concern of non-communicable diseases that have become a major health problem to many countries as well as Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the Subharathi Discussion Programme aired over the SLBC this morning he pointed out, new laws have been introduced to control the use of Tobacco, and public awareness campaigns are underway.

The Minister noted, since excess sugar is harmful to health, with the introduction of controls, companies opted to manufacturing sugar free drinks. He added, many more health related programmes will be initiated with assistance of 200 million dollars promised by the World Health Organization.

A Walk was organized to mark the 131st anniversary of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, today.
Today's Subharathi Discussion was aired from the BMICH, which was where the walk commenced.

Teachers serving in the Eastern Province on voluntary basis, to be absorbed into the permanent cadre

Governor of the Eastern Province: Rohitha Bogollagama says, teachers serving in the Eastern province on voluntary basis, will be absorbed into the permanent cadre.  Interviews are being held, and appeals are being taken up in this regard, these days.  In addition, 1,000 unemployed graduates will be recruited to the teaching service.  Mr. Bogollagama points out, this year, as of now, 1,127 graduates have been recruited to the teaching service.  365 teachers were recruited for the English Medium.

A project to conserve Namal Uyana is presently underway

The project to conserve Namal Uyana, the ironwood forest and rose quartz mountain, is presently underway with funding mainly by the Central Cultural Fund. Its founder Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thera says developing tourism-related activities and starting a wood museum and an educational centre are part of the conservation work. The ironwood forest spans over 2,000 acres while the rose quartz mountain is 600 acres in extent.

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Applications are invited for the Madya Aruna loan scheme for media personnel

The Media Ministry is inviting applications for the 'Madya Aruna' loan scheme for media personnel. The closing date is July 31st. Media personnel below the age of 60 years and are full time or part time employees of recognized media institutions, freelance journalists as well as correspondents with a more than three year service are eligible to apply. Selected personnel will be given an interest free loan of a maximum 300,000 rupees to buy media equipment. Also a low interest loan of 150,000 rupees is on offer to improve the available media equipment.

A pilot project begins next week to control road congestion in Colombo and suburbs

Dehiwela police and the Moratuwa University will join together to launch a pilot project next week to control congestion on the roads in Colombo and suburbs. Professor Amal Kumarage of the university says this will be a temporary measure until such time that public transportation is developed properly. The pilot project will see the use of Google Maps technology to identify and address vehicle congestion.

An extensive development programme is being carried out at the historic Dimbulagala Viharaya under the 'Pibidemu Polonnaruwa'

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The Poson week will begin tomorrow. Additional train service will be operated for the convenience of the devotees

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10 senior literary personalities have been awarded by the National Radio

'Senior writers awarding ceremony-2018' organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Godage and company was held at the Kumarathunga Studio of the Corporation this evening. 10 senior literary personalities who rendered an yeoman service to the local literary field have been awarded by the National Radio. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was the chief guest at the event.

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President vows no return to dictatorship in the island

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday took serious exception to a top Buddhist monk urging former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to take over the country as a Hitler-type military dictator. President Sirisena said as a Buddhist he had the highest respect for the clergy, but could not agree with a senior monk of the Asgiriya chapter who invited Rajapaksa to “be a Hitler, take the military and take power.”

He said the voters toppled former strongman President Mahinda Rajapaksa because they wanted to end a decade-long iron-fisted rule and win back their personal freedoms.

Addressing a meeting in Nikawaratiya yesterday the President said, in January 2015, people did not vote for food or jobs. They voted for freedom and democracy. President added that he has restored both and will not allow this country to slip back to a dictatorship.

He was saddened by the call of Ven. Venduruwe Upali Thera who sought a return to an era when citizens were deprived of their basic human rights and any dissent was immediately crushed.

He said he was being criticised as a weak leader because he did not oppress the people unlike his predecessor. Former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike too was criticised using the same language and he was assassinated three and a half years into his term, the President noted.

Despite the threats, the President said he will not waver and will not allow the hard-won democracy to be undermined in the country.