Two new health facilities were added to the health network of the Eastern Province on August 25. A new Maternity and Children’s Ward of the Pottuvil District Hospital was opened in the morning, while the Regional Medical Supplies Division (RMSD) Kalmunai, was inaugurated the same day. Both projects are part of the UNICEF-supported Tsunami Infrastructure Reconstruction Programme in Sri Lanka.

The new maternity and pediatric ward complex, costing Rs. 103.5 million, will serve more than 45,000 people in the area and include: a pediatric ward, maternity ward, emergency treatment unit and an administrative block. Each ward has a capacity of 30 beds. "We are really happy that the population of the area will benefit from modern facilities, complete with adequate water and electricity supplies," Dr. A. Ameenudeen, District Medical Officer in Pottuvil, said.

by: Harischandra Gunaratna 

The Government has launched a special project to rapidly re-build the road network in the liberated areas in the Northern Province while the security forces continue their offensive against the LTTE.

UPFA Parliamentarian and Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa yesterday expressed confidence that the government could re-gain the entire Northern Province from the clutches of the LTTE and civilian life could be restored like in the East."We must be geared to provide the infrastructure development to the areas which have been already liberated and the government has already launched development work with the assistance of the security forces personnel in these areas," he said.

A PROTEST rally calling upon the Swiss Government to take stern action against the LTTE and its front organisations will be held on September 6 at Waisenhausplatz, near the Swiss Parliament in Bern, Switzerland. According to the organising committee the protest rally is scheduled between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Swiss local time.

With the objective of preserving cultural heritage sites of archaeological value in the Eastern province, the Central Cultural Fund (CCF), under the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has initiated a programme named “Eastern Heritage Belt”. Director General of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF), Prof Sudharshana Seneviratne addressing the media at the Government Information Department said today (26) that up to now sites with archaeological importance have already been identified in areas from Seruwawila to Katharagama.