News
in brief
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Ex
MPs have 14 days to vacate official residences
The deadline for the vacation of these premises has been set for March 7. Sources revealed that more than 10 former parliamentarians who lost the 2001 General Election are yet to vacate the official residences. They said court cases have been filed against the former MPs. These residences are in need of urgent renovation work and if not vacated this work cannot be carried out, the sources said. President
urges Commission to speed up police promotions Mr. Abeysuriya told The Sunday Times that police promotions had been backlogged since late last year and therefore they were in the process of rectifying them. The President's call has attracted criticism from rival political parties, which claim it as a move adopted to gain political advantages ahead of the general elections. Mr. Abeysuriya said promotions would be granted, but wherever transfers were required they would be effected only after the elections. UNP-CWC
rift brewing over nominations for Kandy CWC sources said since plans were afoot to field SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem from Kandy the UNP has raised objections to the nomination of CWC Vice President Faizer Musthafa to the same district. Though the UNP had offered to accommodate Mr. Musthafa on the National List it has been declined by the CWC. Further discussions were being held last night to resolve the issue. Making
Colombo greener and safer According to an official the project will involve a survey of the street trees and the creation of a database of these trees, the names, specifications and condition of each tree. Based on this information tree specialists from Ruk Rakaganno together with experts from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Tree crew from the CMC will prune the trees if necessary. This is to ensure that trees do not obstruct traffic; are balanced and not vulnerable to weather and are aesthetically pleasing. Wherever trees have to be removed new trees will be planted. These trees will be labeled with scientific and common names in all three languages to raise public awareness. This effort by the CMC and Ruk Rakaganno is in response to the spate of injuries to life and property caused by over matured and unbalanced trees keeling over during the monsoon season. This year since trees in this area will be pruned before the onset of the monsoon it is hoped that injuries to the trees and to life and property will be prevented. The project is being conducted as a pilot project in the Cinnamon Gardens Ward from Bauddhaloka Mawatha to Dharmapala Mawatha and Ruk Rakaganno hopes to replicate the process throughout the municipality as soon as possible. Ruk Rakaganno, the Tree Society of Sri Lanka, was established in 1975 to help protect Sri Lanka’s indigenous forests and trees. The cooperation and involvement of the public in this project is most welcome. Private sector sponsorship of parts of this project would greatly assist in expanding the project to the other parts of the city. For more information contact Ruk Rakaganno on 2554438 or rukraks@sltnet.lk Ballot
paper materials from the UK 80 metric tons of a special-grade paper has been imported from Great Britain for the printing of ballot papers, which is scheduled to begin on February 26 costing the taxpayer 30 million rupees. Mr. Nanayakkara said 72 metric tons of paper had been used for printing ballot papers for the last General Elections held in 2001. 12,899,032 voters are eligible to vote in the forthcoming election. |
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