Archive for September 20th, 2008
Watch ITN Sinhala News 2008 - 09 - 19
Driver and conductor of ill-fated bus rewarded
The driver and the conductor whose prompt actions averted what might have been a major tragedy in a bus in which a bomb had been placed, were felicitated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday (19th).Rangith Thilakasiri (driver) and Manjula Udayanga (conductor) were rewarded for their quick, sensible and brave act by the ASP Group, each receiving plots of land worth half a million rupees each.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at the occasion said that the contribution of private sector establishments to encourage people to thwarting the acts of terrorism is highly appreciated.
The President also noted that it has become the sole aspiration of all the patriotic citizens of this country to eliminate the menace of terrorism.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
We will achieve per capita income of US$ 2000 soon — Central Bank Governor
The Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivad Cabraal has expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will achieve a per capita income of US$ 2000 very soon. He noted that the current per capita income of the country stands at approximately USD 1500.He also noted that the per capital income of the western province is similar to that of Malaysia, which stands at US$ 3000.
“Correct economic policies adopted by the Government have helped in achieving the expected development,” Mr. Cabraal added.
“Sri Lanka was able to achieve a 6.8 per cent growth for three consecutive years. Therefore, Sri Lanka could boast about it whereas other countries could not achieve this,” he said.
He expected much hope that with the East returning to normalcy, the entire country’s landscape will change with proposed development projects in the country.
He emphasised that the private sector should engage actively to improve productivity, which is not up to a satisfactory level at present.
Cabraal said 2008 is a challenging year with expected deterioration of exchange rates due to the escalation oil prices and unprecedented increase of commodity prices creating a major challenge to the country.
“However, due to the strong resilient nature of the Sri Lankan economy we were able come out from it,” the Governor said.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Transport in Jaffna will be improved soon – Minister Devananda
The people of Jaffna will benefit from a better ad more streamlined transportation system in the near future, said Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda.
Minister Devanda noted that he had discusses on this issue with the Transport Minister Dallas Alahaperuma as well as Ministry officials.
The Ministry of Transpotation has already released five new buses to be added into the existing bus fleet with another 12 bus engines and 17 additional buses for uninterrupted operations in the peninsula, a local daily newspaper reported quoting Minister Devananda.
The Transport Ministry will set up a well-equipped workshop in the region to repair buses.
Similarly, steps have been taken to modernize all the bus depots in the Jaffna districts. These depots will be provided with all adequate human and material supplies.
The Ministry will also introduce the ‘Sisu Seriya’ bus transport programme for the benefit of the Jaffna students.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
SriLankan Airlines increases passenger convenience through On-Line Check-In
SriLankan Airlines has been systematically introducing its On-Line Check-In system throughout its route network, significantly improving the level of passenger convenience prior to departure.
On-Line Check-In (OLCI) affords passengers the luxury of checking themselves in through the Internet, long before they reach the airport, and entirely avoiding troublesome queues at Check-In Counters.
SriLankan introduced OLCI at its hub in Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, last December. Since then, eight of its overseas stations have launched the facility.
Capt. Milinda Ratnayake, Head of Service Delivery, said the target is to provide this facility in every one of 41 destinations as quickly as possible, so that all the SriLankan passengers can enjoy a higher level of convenience.
By Christine Hettiarachchi
Courtesy: Lankapuvath
