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All arrangements are being made to commemorate the war victory in gallant fashion.

2012-05-17T01:37:52Z

The national victory parade which gallantly celebrates the war victory, will be conducted in grand manner, at the Colombo Galle Face green on next Saturday. The armed forces, the police, the special task force as well as the civil defence task force will take part in the parade. The war heroes disabled in action will also join the parade.

The foreign minister enlightens the US senate members on Sri Lanka’s present situation.

2012-05-17T01:36:29Z

Foreign Minister Professor G.L. Peiris has enlightened leaders of the US senate in Washington on Sri Lanka’s current situation. The Minister has informed them that the Sri Lankan government has identified all issues to be implemented

Measures are underway for the development of infrastructure facilities in Welioya.

2012-05-17T01:35:10Z

Measures are being taken to develop infrastructure facilities in Welioya. A discussion on how to conduct the resettlement of civilians and development in the area was held recently at the ministry of economic development under the leadership of minister Basil Rajapakse.

Efforts are being continuously carried forward to make Sri Lanka self sufficient in its big onion requirement.

2012-05-17T01:33:47Z

District secretary of Matale Mrs. Hellen Meegasmulla says that a production target of 100 thousand metric tones of big onions is anticipated from the Matale district this year. The Matale district already contributes 60 thousand metric tons of big onions to the national production.

More than 400 thousand tourists were reported to have visited Sri Lanka in the first four months of this year.

2012-05-17T01:32:19Z

The Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority says that the arrival of tourists is increasing day by day. A 9 percent increase in tourist arrivals has been reported in April of this year in comparison to the corresponding month of last year.

Seeds of intermediary crops are being provided to paddy farmers.

2012-05-17T01:30:55Z

The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management says that a systematic programme is underway to encourage the farmers to engage in the cultivation intermediary crops in parallel to paddy cultivation.

Sri Lankan women aim to achieve excellence in IT and Telecommunications

2012-05-16T20:37:36Z

Today is world Telecommunications and Information Technology Day. The theme of this year is ‘Women and Girls’. A number of programmes have been organized worldwide in this connection. Issuing a message in connection with the day Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya points out that telecommunications and IT provide women with an opportunity face social and other challenges.

President’s Secretary Lalith Weerathunga in his message states that Sri Lanka is placed on the 16th place on 2010 Male Female Disparity Index beating many developed countries. He further says that this day is important to women since it helps them to achieve excellence in their chosen fields.

The United Nations says that Telecommunications and IT has helped women in many ways including the protection of democracy, dignity and human rights.

A conference with the participation of women and girls will be held between 9.30 and 12.00 noon today at the auditorium of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.

Constructions of the Lower Malwathu Oya Reservoir Project will begin this year.

2012-05-16T20:35:25Z

Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva says that constructions of Lower Malwathu Oya reservoir project will be launched before the end of this year. The project will take water from Malawathu Oya to Yodha wewa and Agathi-Murippu tank. It will facilitate cultivation of more than 50,000 scares of paddy during both seasons in Mannar. Minister De Silva disclosed this following an observation tour in the construction area.

It has been pledged that the Samurdhi programme will be strengthened and carried forward.

2012-05-16T09:08:34Z

Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that Samurdhi programme will be strengthened and carried forward to the future. Addressing a media conference in Colombo today, the Minister said that steps will not be taken to destroy this programme started by the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance Government. Minister Basil Rajapaksa has taken steps to assign Samurdhi officials to the Divi Neguma Department based on an approved cabinet paper. It has ensured the security of their employment. The Minister said that the relevant bill will be submitted in Parliament in the month of July. He said that the payment of Samurdhi recipients have been deposited in their Samurdhi Bank accounts to help them to use this money as per their needs. It will also encourage them to undertake savings. The Minister vehemently rejected the allegations being made by one trade union that the Samurdhi programme is a corrupt one. He said that the government will not use for political activities the funds being deposited in the Samurdhi Banks. He said the government has allocated sufficient funds for development projects and hence there is no need for using those funds by the government. He further said that in order to strengthen the life standards of the Samurdhi recipients, their payments have been increased. People over 70 years are in the dependent level and they will be removed from the Samurdhi programme and steps will be taken to provide them public assistance under the Social Service Ministry.

The Commissioner General of Samurdhi Mrs. Chandra Wickremasinghe and the Director General of Samurdhi Bandula Thilakasiri also addressed the media conference.

Payment to senior citizens by the Social Service Ministry has been doubled.

2012-05-16T09:07:51Z

Minister Felix Perera said that the monthly allowance provided to senior citizens by the Social Service Ministry will be increased from 500 rupees to 1,000 rupees from 1st of next month. At present over 250,000 senior citizens get this allowance. Majority of them are in the Western Province. The Minister addressing the media conference today said that annually the number of recipients is being increased.

The Secretary to the Ministry R.M.S. Rathnayake said that there are 272 elders’ homes throughout the country. But only one of them is being administered by the Ministry of Social Services. There are three homes administered by Provincial Councils. All the others are being administered by the private institutions. The Secretary said that the Ministry will launch a programme to enlighten the employees of these homes shortly.