Western Provincial Election Concludes Successfully

The Western Provincial Council (WPC) elections polling begined at 7.00am this morning and successfully concluded at 4.00pm in the evening. The number of eligible voters were 3,820,214 and are expected to cast at 2,769 polling centers in the Colombo,Gampaha and Kalutara districts. Out of the qualified voters 53% in Colombo, 60% in Kaluthara and Gampaha have cast their vote.

World’s LargestHostage Rescue Mission in Progress

Sri Lanka Army has started the world’s largest hostage rescue mission to rescue more than 50 000 innocent civilians who have taken hostage by ruthless LTTE or Tamil Tigers. This mission has almost become  a success which has rescued more than 30 000 people already.

Await more news…

IPL Upcomming webcast shedule

Sat 19th Apr:-

Kings XI Punjab Vs Chennai Super Kings 4.00pm(India)(+5.5GMT)

Delhi Daredevils Vs Rajasthan Royals(Delhi) 8.30pm(India)(+5.5GMT)

Sun 20th Apr:-

Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Deccan Chargers 4.00pm(India)(+5.5GMT)

Mumbai Indians Vs Royal Challengers      8.30pm(India)(+5.5GMT)

Click here to watch IPL Free Web Cast on these times.

Sri Lanka Army Liberates Whole Puthukudiirippu Area from LTTE Terrorists

Sri Lanka army has fully liberated Puthukudiirippu area from LTTE terror clutches this morning. Mr Udaya Nanayakkara said LTTE leaders Vidhusha, Dheepan, Durga, Nagesh and Gadafi whois the private security office of Prabhakaran have died along with more than 200 LTTE carders. It is also reported that Bhanu has injured from the army attacks. Now LTTE is restricted to government declared “no fire zone” which is only about 20 SqKm.

Three 130 mm artilleries, one 85mm weapon and many other heavy LTTE weaponries have captured by 53 and 58 brigades who are continuously operating in the area.   

Bomb Blast in Akuressa- Matara Kills Several People

A bomb blast which has taken place in Akuressa near Matara has killed around 10 persons. According to the available information blast has taken place at a public function. According to the avaialble information around 20 people have injured including government minister Mahinda Wijesekara.

BOI PROJECT TO ASSIST RURAL FARMERS

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka granted investment approval to Aus Agri (Private) Limited and Sheila Baxter Training Centre (Private) Limited. Mr. Dhammika Perera, Chairman / Director General signed the agreements on behalf of the BOI and formally presented the BOI Certificate of Registration to the investors.

The investment agreement signed with Aus Agri is for a pioneering project to manufacture animal feed using leaves and green stem of the Gliricidia plant, which will supplement the income of rural outgrowers. The project is an initial investment of US $ 250,000 sponsored by Australian based Aus Agri (Pte) Limited. This is the first time that Gliricidia plants are used to produce processed animal feed. The company will set up its first manufacturing plant in Mahailuppallama, Anuradhapura and will also set up another plant in Puttalam at a latter stage. Commercial operations of the plant situated at Mahailuppallama will commence later this month.

Directors of Aus Agri Limited, Mr. Robert Irwin and Mr. Chamara Perera signed the agreement on behalf of the company.

Mr. Perera said the animal feed produced will be exported to markets in the Middle East. The company expects to produce 100 tons of animal feed weekly which will be increased up to 400 tons.

Gliricidia is a medium size tree that typically grows to 10 m in height, with a broad canopy. It grows best in tropical, seasonally dry climates. It is a fast growing tree used throughout the tropics for many environmental services and products it provides.

Initially Aus Agri will collect the Gliricidia from outgrow farmers in the area, providing them with an additional income. The company will provide encouragement and support to develop the outgrower system. The company expects to have an out grower farmer base of 50,000, which will help develop the rural economy. The venture also expects to grow Gliricidia in 3200 acres in the second phase of the project to complement the outgrower system

Aus Agri will also purchase cassava (manioc) and maize from local farmers as well as buying rice polish which is a little used by-product of the rice milling process.  He thanked Prof. Nimal Perera, Vice Chancellor of Wayamba University for providing advice and guidance to implement the project.

The BOI also granted approval to Sheila Baxter Training Centre (Private) Limited to commence a training institute for skill development. The project sponsored by Australian based institute of the same name is an investment of US $ 500,000.

Mr. Maxwel Mervyn, Director of Sheila Baxter said that the centre will provide training for skill development, which will aid students expecting to migrate to Australia. This institute will provide training in Hair Dressing, English, Accounting and IT for 1000 students annually. 

The institute will establish its first centre in Colombo and expects to set up more centres in Kandy, Galle, Nuwara Eliya and Kurunegala. The institute will be creating 50 new employment opportunities which include a panel of 20 training staff, added Mr. Mervyn.

Mr. Mervyn, Director signed the agreement on behalf of Sheila Baxter Training Centre.

 

BOI PROJECT TO ASSIST RURAL FARMERS
Daily Mirror - Colombo,Western,Sri Lanka
The company will set up its first manufacturing plant in Mahailuppallama, Anuradhapura and will also set up another plant in Puttalam at a latter stage. ...