From Cyril Wimalasurendre
KANDY: President Chandrika Bandara-naike Kumaratunga has informed the Ven. Palipane Sri Chanda-nanda Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya that steps are being taken to shift the Kandy Courts complex from its present location close to the Sri Dalada Maligawa to the buildings of the Department of Agriculture at Getambe on Peradeniya Road, Kandy.

The President has also indicated to the Maha Nayaka Thera it is only a temporary measure until a new building complex to house the courts is constructed within the Kandy Municipal limits.

President Kumara-tunga’s intimation to the Mahanayaka Thera was a sequel to a letter by the prelate urging that the courts complex be shifted from the present location to ensure security to the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

The president has also informed the Maha Nayaka Thera that an army unit will be deployed in the buildings near the Dalada Maligawa once the court complex is shifted to Getambe Agriculture Department buildings.

The Mahanayake Thera however expressed his concern over the delay on the part of the authorities to shift the Kandy courts complex.

The prelate told "The Island", that he received at least a reply from the President. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has not even sent a reply, to my letter on the same subject.

The only reply I received was a stereo type acknowledgement from the Co-ordinating Secretary of the Justice Minister.

It was a copy of a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ministry telling him to do the needful.

Lack of interest on the part of the authorities is regrettable, the Mahanayake Thera lamented.

Give us alternate lands, cry villagers
Earthslip in Koslanda disrupts vehicular traffic

An earthslip in the Koslanda division in the Badulla district has completely disrupted vehicular traffic on the Koslanda-Wellawaya route.

The continuous showers during the past five days caused the landslides that occurred Monday (11) morning, said W. M. A. Wijekoon, GA Badulla speaking to ‘The Island’ yesterday.

Minister of Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Hema Ratnayake, Divisional Secretary Haldummulla, Chairman Pradeshiya Sabha Haldummulla, three Grama Sevaka Niladharis along with Mr. Wijekoon inspected the affected area last morning.

Mr. Wijekoon said that no positive action could be taken to remedy the situation as the land movement still continues.

He said a foot path covering a distance of half a kilometre had been prepared around the area to help the villagers and since the hospital could not be reached a temporary dispensary had been set up in Nikapotha junction.

Mr. Wijekoon added that no one suffered injuries.

The Minister said that she will speak to the Minister of Transport and Highways regarding the setting up of a suspension bridge in the area.

The villagers of the area had requested the Minister to take measures to provide them with alternate living areas as this particular area is under constant threat of landslides.