• Cholera in Mahaweli C system zone
• Four consultant doctors for B'caloa hospital
• KV line section to be redeveloped
• Rains spoil harvest

Dehiattakandiya and Nawamadegama Correspondents
The cholera epidemic is fast spreading in Kadirapura, Kudapola, Dolakanda and Muwagammane areas in the Manaweli C System zone. Two patients are already reported dead while 42 patients have been admitted to Dehiatta-kandiya hospital.

The dead are Lalith Udayanga and a 12-year-boy Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A large number of land encroaches in Dehiattakandiya and Kadirapura areas have contacted the disease, according to health authorities. The insanitary conditions under which they live, have largely contributed towards the present situation. They lack even proper toilet facilities.

Batticaloa: consultant medical officers have been appointed to the Batticaloa General Hospital after several decades.

Dr. K. Jeevaratnam (ENT), Dr. Wimalasiri Abeyakoon (VOG), Dr. Samarasekera and Dr. Rajasekaram (General Surgeons) are among them.

the Hospital Director Dr. S. Sathurmugam said that a Pediatrician will also be appointed shortly.

Dr. Jeevaratnam, the newly appointed ENT Surgeon said that the newcomers face the accommodation problem.

"There are no quarters for specialists. The family quarters are also occupied by doctors. Unless this problem is solved immediately by taking private houses on rent, these specialists may seek transfer to other hospitals", hospital sources said.

Kosgama: A 10-kilometer section of the Kelani Valley railway line between Kosgama and Avissawella stations will be redeveloped according to the construction plan of the Seethawaka Industrial Park.

The section is reported to be full of nasty bends and several derailments were experienced since the line was broadgauged and opened for regular traffic in 1995.

It is hoped to make maximum use of the K.V. line for the transportation of machinery and equipment necessary for the Industrial Park and later on the finished products from the factories to Colombo for shipment. The K.V. train service is also expected to play a major role in providing regular transport facilities for a workforce of over 10,000 who would be given employment once the park goes into full production.

The initial ground surveys have already been completed by the Railway Department. The program of redevelopment of the line is estimated to cost Rs. 200 million. Meanwhile, a further sum of Rs. 50 million has been set apart for the resettlement on alternate land for 28 families who would be displaced by the project.

Kurunegala: Mahaweli farmers have had their harvest season interrupted by the unexpected rains.