Farmers’ Day - October 12

COLOMBO: Farmers who are considered the lifeblood of the nation will be honoured on Farmers’ Day which will be observed on October 12 as a national event this year as in previous years, says Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Minister Mailthripala Sirisena.

The national ceremony to mark Farmers’ Day will be held at the Maha Iluppallama Agriculture
Farmer's Day
Complex centred round the Field Crops Development Centre. A series of exhibitions including model farm plots and a series of cultural events will also be held from October 12 to 16 to coincide with Farmers’ Day celebrations.

As a part of these celebrations October 13 will be observed as Women Farmers’ Day, while October 14 will be Students’ Day, October 15 - Young Farmer’s Day and October 16 World Food Day.

One million Jak trees in three years
COLOMBO: One million Jak trees are to be planted on a countrywide scale within the next three years under a special programme formulated by the Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Ministry.

Jak plants raised at village level will be distributed among prospective cultivators under this programme which will promote environmental conservation and help meet future local demand for timber.

The Government has allocated Rs. 10 million for this programme, said Commissioner General of the Agrarian Services Development Department D.D. Waniganayaka.

Landslide threat
Indika POLKOTUWA
COLOMBO: Hill slopes in the western and South Eastern parts of the country may be subjected to landslides if the current heavy rains continued for several more days warned the Landside Study Unit of the National Building Research Organisation.

The Unit’s Geologist Samantha Kumara Bogahapitiya said hill slopes in Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are liable to face this danger.

Help save this child
Walter Dayaratne Anuradhapura Dist. Spl. Corr.
Anuradhapura: Praneeth Chathuranga Bombuwalage, 16, a student at Anuradhapura Walisinghe Harischandra Maha Vidyalaya, is suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia (Fab Classification - AML - M4).

Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, Dr. Upul Ekanayaka has recommended Bone Marrow Transplant for him and on his recommendation his parents have decided to take him to Apollo Specialty Hospital, 320, Mount Road, Chennai, India for the surgery. The full cost of the treatment is Rs. 6,000,000, but since initial treatments have been completed at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, it is now reduced to Rs. 4,000,000.

Since his parents could not afford the amount for the surgery, they appeal for public assistance to save their son. Contributions can be credited to Account No. 6888019 Praneeth Chathuranga Fund Super Grade Branch, Bank of Ceylon, Anuradhapura. His mother’s address is Reeta Aloysius, Chief Secretary Office, Anuradhapura. Contact Nos - 025-2237025, 077-6211575.