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NACA's meeting attended by 14 Asian countries
WADDUWA: The 10th governing council inaugural meeting of NACA, (Network of Agriculture Centres in Asia Pacific) was held at Tangerine Beach Hotel, Kalutara with the participation of representatives from 14 Asian countries.
The meeting was held from December 8 to 11 and the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest.
Mr. Rajapaksa said that, the relevance of NACA to the aquaculture development in the region should be considered in the back ground of the fact that Asia contributes up to 90% of the global aquaculture production, while the rest of the world accounts for the remaining 10%.
He said that, it is also to be noted that over 80% of the global aquaculture production comes from the developing countries through production of low valued fish species which are consumed locally. Asian countries not only have technologies for achieving a desired production level, but they are also efficiently utilised and many of them have sustained through ages. There exists a number of aquaculture species and moreover, a large number of production systems and technologies in different countries of the NACA organisation. The development in this sector will depend on how best and how efficiently the intra-regional transfer or aquaculture technologies are taking place and experiences are exchanged and NACA organisation is working to active this goal.
Mr. Rajapaksa also said that under an agreement among participating governments, NACA will be constituted on a new inter governmental organisation in January 1999, with the government bearing the cost of its care activities. This agreement was adopted by the conference of plenipotentiaries convened by FOA in Bangkok in January 1988. More countries within the Asia Pacific region participate in NACA activities and are expected to join soon. At present, there are 14 member countries in the NACA organisation and a few more are already in the process of joining NACA. The member countries are Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China DPR, Korea, Hong Kong SAR, India, Malaysia, Miyanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The participating governments which are in various stages of accession include Indonesia, Iran, Laos PDR, Republic of Korea and the Philippines.
The main objective of the organisation is to increase food production, improvement of rural income and employment, diversification of farm production and increasing of foreign exchange earnings and serving in countries in the region.
As a foremost practitioner of TCDC, it has demonstrated that TCDC is a practical and cost effective mechanism for accelerating aquaculture development in the region.
This cost effective networking system, now autonomous has been successful in the transfer of aquaculture technologies between countries in the region, and the upgrading and strengthening of the manpower capabilities and facilities of national and regional centres, are attracting other organisations and agencies to collaborate with NACA.
The minister also said, as in many other Asian countries, fish is an important component in the diet of the Sri Lankan people. It accounts for 65% of the animal protein consumed. The per capita supply of this is around 15 kg. Present fish production in the country is 242,000 mts of which 152,750 mts is from coastal fishery and 62,000 from deep sea fishery.
At present, Sri Lanka exports 8478 mt of fish and fishery products valued at Rs. 4,326 million. The contribution of shrimp acquaculture export totals around 2584 mt valued at Rs. 2194 million. The export earning from ornamental fish industry was Rs. 472 million in 1997. In Sri Lanka the PA government which came into power in 1994 has fully recognised the importance of inland fisheries and aquaculture development which has a great potential for increase of fish production as a cheap source of protein for the rural people generation of income and employment opportunities and earning foreign exchange. Therefore, in accordance with the policy menifesto, the government has given high priority for inland fisheries and aquaculture development.
Mr. Rajapakse also said that a new six year development plan is now being prepared for the development of the fisheries sector and I expect to make a very positive impact in achieving our targets. Action is being taken by the government to popularise pond fish farming, integrated fish culture, cage culture and sea farming etc. using the vast resources available in the ferm of large, medium and small perennial water bodies on estates. It is estimated that the density of inland water bodies is four hectares per square metre of land area and ours is the highest in the world.
In addition, there are 120,000 hectares of lagoons and suitable land areas for the promotion of aquaculture.
The Chairman of NACA Dr. Le Thanh Lun said that in 1999 he would adopt the new activity plan of the recent past where a lot of activities have been carried out and the member countries will be apprised of this by the representatives and the NACA secretariat at the next session. It is noteworthy that over the years NACA has been widely recognised and has been involved in many regional and international events.
NACA Co-ordinator Mr. Hassanai Kongkeo, Secretary to the Fisheries Ministry Mr. Neville Piyadigama and the Director of Aquaculture Development Mr. A. M. Jayasekera also spoke.
A salary increase was not implemented though proposed - Dharmasiri Senanayake
WARAKAPOLA: Fireworks were lit islandwide when a motion for a salary increase was proposed in parliament. But unfortunately the suggestion was dropped, said Tourism and Aviation Minister Dharmasiri Senanayaka when he addressed the Warakapola Sri Lanka Freedom Party Teachers Union held at Warakapola Divisional Secretariat recently.
Minister Senanayaka also said that the motion was moved according to the present day needs. But if we implement it there could be on uproar. As a bachelor minister I draw Rs. 18,000 a month which is insufficient for me. In that respect I could understand the plight of the ordinary government servant who draws a salary of about Rs. 5000/- and has to maintain a family of about six.
He also said that after desolving the provincial councils, respective governers were appointed to run the local bodies. These PCs spend almost rupees 50 lakhs monthly on development works and that sum exceeds the payments allocated to members and other elected members. I think that PCs are of no use if we ministers can't work efficiently for you.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party Teachers Union helps the government in every possible way. We know that they too have problems which we have to solve. A number of unsolved problems have been also placed before me and I will request the education minister to solve them.
Mr. Athauda Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Highways and Transport said that either the MPs, deputy ministers or cabinet ministers have asked for a salary increase. During the last four year period the salaries of teachers and government servents were increased on the instructions of the President. We admitted that there is a salary anomaly in the payment of school teachers.
BATAPOLA: Karandeniya PS member who is alleged to have raped a 15-year-old girl, was remanded by the Elpitiya Magistrate and Balapitiya Additional District Judge, F. R. Fernandopulle despite pleas by his attorneys to grant him bail. Elpitiya police produced the suspect in court.
HQI, Elpitiya, D. Premaratne told the magistrate that the 28 year old suspect, was absconding for three weeks. As the suspect was a PA politico, he had tried to leave the country to evade arresting on learning about the matter police took prompt action to get an open warrant issued for his arrest. A copy of the warrant was sent to the Controller of Emigration and after knowing of it the suspect surrendered.
The villagers demanded for his arrest and even picketted said police sources.
The suspect is the father of a child.
Puttalam hospital workers give up strike
ANAMADUWA: The Puttalam hospital workers gave up their strike after the PS member promised to apologize and compensate to the three hospital workers who were assaulted by a PS member according to police sources.
The whole staff about 200 had struck on December 10 to protest against the assaulting of three workers by a Puttalam PS member on December 09 at the hospital.
The PS member had tried to visit a ward outside visiting hours and the gate keeper had not allowed it.
Around midnight the PS member had come with some men and assaulted three workers including the gate keeper.
Later, the three victims were admitted to the hospital and on the following day December 10 the whole hospital launched a strike.
Puttalam police OIC CI K. G. Jinasena arrested the suspect who promised to pay Rs. 3000 to one person and Rs. 1000 each to the others. The suspect also apologised the victims.
One fourth of budget is expected through loans
KULIYAPITIYA: The budget is in order, but the only shortcoming is more than 25 p.c. of the income is expected to be covered by loans. However good the budget is, such a loan is not a good sign. The sabha has to pay an annual interest of Rs. 8 lakhs for a loan of Rs. 8 million said Mr. J. A. Navaratna (UNP) as the budget debate of Pannala Pradeshiya Sabha.
According to the annual budget of 1998, the anticipated income of the sabha was Rs. 31,584,633. The estimated expenditure was Rs. 31,523,730. The surplus was Rs. 60,903.
Chairman Ranjith Lansakara (PA) in presenting the budget said that almost all the budget proposals of the previous year were completed. The capital expenditure in 1999 will be Rs. 15,688,000. By obtaining a loan of Rs. 8 million public libraries as Mahandura and Kandanegedara and Giriulla Town Hall would be built.
A special feature in this budget is an allocation of Rs. 2 lakhs for a leadership training programme. Under that programme the youth in the area would be trained to face the challenges of life.
Mr. Sarath Jayanandana (PA) said, the prime duty of the Pradesheeya Sabha is to serve the people of the area by issuing the funds collected from them. It is good that allocations in this budget are distributed reasonably to every area. I hope that people would get the maximum results of those allocations. Most of the motions the sabha adopted were not implemented and I don't know why it was. If a motion is adopted that should be implemented.
Mr. S. A. Piyasena (PA) said every member could be satisfied with the budget proposals. No member was discriminated in the budget.
Mr. Nandanasiri Parakrma (UNP) said, we supported the previous budget and also support this budget. In this budget more attention is paid to the towns. I request to give top priority to the villages.
Mr. P. B. Katugampola (PA) said, what we wish is to provide facilities for the people who elected us. The necessary foundation to fulfil the aspirations of the people in the area is laid by this budget.
Mr. Ranjith Wijesiri (PA) said, the Chairman had treated every member reasonably to protect his honour.
Mr. Nilantha Herath (UNP) said, it appears that the Chairman has devoted himself for the development of the area according to what he had done in the last year. I hope that he would do more this year.
Mr. Upali Gunathilake (PA) said Pannala Pradesheeya Sabha had set an example by working collectively. We read in the newspapers that in several pradesheeya sabhas members launch protest campaigns by standing on tables. But we all work unitedly
Mr. Gamini Wijewardhana (PA) said this budget is a new approach to human development as it has proposed to organise leadership training programmes. The morals and ethnics of the present generation has deteriorated. An attempt by a pradesheeya sabha to rehabilitate more qualities is a new concept. So far, we are devoted only for providing infrastructural facilities such as maintaining roads, constructing culverts and fixing street lamps. Is the morality and discipline of youth are deteriorated, all these facilities would be meaningless. So a leadership training programmes would be a new approach to build up a cultured generation.
Mr. J. A. Navaratna (UNP) said, when I was the Chairman, I had no supports. But the new Chairman is more fortunate than I. With all supports from the authorities, the new chairman started for a new destination. However, the only shortcoming of the budget is a flux of loans. More than 25 p.c. of the anticipated income is covered with loans. That is not a good sign.
The chairman said in the last year we spent rupees 7 million on the villages. In this budget Rs. 11.4 million is allocated by providing infrastructural facilities to the villages. I may have shortcomings. Spotlighting them would help me to rectify myself. I anticipate the fullest co-operation of the members and the officials to implement the budget proposals.
The annual budget was adopted without division.
The Wayamba Provincial CLG R. de S. Waduthanthri and Kurunegala A. C. L. G. Wijitha Bandaranayaka were observers at the meeting.
UNP cronies plundered the lands of poor people
KURUNEGALA: Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Lands Salinda Dissanayaka said that investigations by the ministry had revealed that in most cases pro-UNP cronies and relatives of UNP politicians had chased the legal occupants away from certain lands and forcibly taken possession of them.
The minister addressing a meeting of farmer organisations in the Hiriyala electorate also said that the government is now investigating these shady deals.
The government will in force stringent laws as to take back thousands of acres of land plundered by parliamentarians and their henchmen if the present laws are not adequate. The 70-77 United Front Government under the guidance of then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and progressive members of her Cabinet imposed a 50-acre-limit on individual land ownership. That government also set up the Land Reform Commission to manage the issues of land.
Under that initiative of the government over one million acres of land were utilized by the landless of our country and cultivated through farming projects of the government.
The Deputy Minister also pointed out that educated youth of that rural area Hiriyala should undergo vocational training intended to facilitate self-employment projects. The Youth Awakening Programme launched by the government has been offering 5000 employment opportunities. Some of those who benefited are now earning a monthly income of about Rs. 20,000.
Son went to the temple but did not return home
KALUTARA: When I went to the temple on Poya Day, my son also joined me but he didn't return home following my return. Early the me next morning I went to the cattle in the field and there found that my son was killed and lying on the ground.
This was revealed by Baddagoda Arachchige Jayasena Wijewadhana at the Magisterial inquiry held into the killing at Baddagoda Arachchige Somasiri Wijewardhana of Galhena, Beruwala.
The inquiry was held by V. Rajapakse, Kalutara Magistrate.
It was disclosed at the inquest that the deceased was the third in the family and a bachelor.
On the day of the incident witness brought some fish home at about 5.00 p.m. and accompanied the deceased to the temple. But he did not return home. On the following day witness went to tie cattle and found the deceased on a foot path.
He was bleeding from his neck.
The Magistrate ordered the J. M. O. Kalutara base hospital to submit a report of the autopsy to court.
Further inquiries are being conducted by OIC L. R. Gamage of Alutgama police.
Illicit cultivations in Dewahoowa area must be stopped
GOKARELLA: "Immediate action should be taken to fail unauthorised cultivations in the catchment area of the Dewahoowa reservoir", said Mr. R. R. P. Alahakoon (UNP) councillor of the Galewela Pradeshiya Sabha at its monthly meeting held recently.
Mr. M. C. R. Jayathilleke (PA) Chairman presided.
The Chairman said: Let's bring this matter to the notice of the Divisional Secretary who is the head of the District Irrigation Committee.
"We have to discuss regarding the removal of unauthorised trade stalls in the town. We don't have any alternative solution for this problem."
D. G. Sarath Jayasinghe (PA): said that almost all the committees we formed in 1998 were unsuccessful. There were weaknesses in us too. Only suitable persons should be appointed to these committees.
M. A. Muthubanda (PA): said the side drains of the town have to be cleared.
R. R. P. Alahakoon said the street lamps should be installed where necessary.
S. D. K. Marasinghe (PA) expressed his displeasure to the Public Health Inspector of the town as worms were found in the meat sold at meat stalls. This is also an insult to the sabha.
The chairman said that he had brought this matter to the notice of the M.O.H.
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