President Mahinda Rajapkasa convened an urgent meeting yesterday to look into the difficulties faced by farmers of the North Central Province due to drought. Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Basil Rajapaksa, S.M.Chandrasena, Tissa Karaliyadda, Mahinda Amaraweera, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Treasury Secretary Dr. P B Jayasundera were also present. Picture by Nalin Hewapathirana

Secretary to President quashes LLRC document press report :

No commitment made to Clinton

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga yesterday dismissed newspaper reports that he or External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris had submitted any document on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) implementation to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during their official visit to Washington in May this year.

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President orders assistance to farmers

President Mahinda Rajapkasa yesterday instructed government officials to provide immediate relief and assistance to farmers affected by the drought. The President gave the above instructions during an urgent meeting convened yesterday to look into the difficulties faced by farmers of the North Central Province due to drought. It was attended by politicians, farmers, and government officials of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts and ministry Secretaries.

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Divi neguma weekly fairs countrywide

Developing weekly fairs throughout Sri Lanka under the divi Neguma sathipola concept will make the Mahinda Chinthana Vision a reality since sathi polas had served the island’s economy as barter exchange centres in towns and villages and became part of the nation’s culture and lifestyle, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.

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Anti-mosquito ‘war’ in schools islandwide

A giant mosquito eradication programme will be launched in the school system with the participation of students, parents and teachers in 9,000 schools countrywide on June 29, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said. A circular to this effect has been sent to all schools by the Education Ministry. Under this circular, it would be mandatory for all Principals, teachers, students and their parents to take part in this mosquito control programme, the minister said.

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