It was a unique scene to witness a Muslim Mowlavi calling for national unity and amity among all  communities at the foot of the statue of Lord Buddha at Viharamahadevi Park. The call for peace was followed by a peace march led by all religious organisations in Colombo last week                                                                   Photo by Ashoka Peiris

AHRC against dropping CJ’s impeachment

CBK replies cabinet

Nonbinding all the way

Protest prevents elephant removal

By Risidra Mendis

The recent protests with regard to the largest elephant Kadira being released from the Pinnawela Elephant orphanage by a group of animal rights activists prevented the animal from being taken from the orphanage.

However, The Sunday Leader learns that another five elephants are to leave the orphanage depending on the demands for elephants by temples and devales in the country.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Environment Minister Rukman Senanayake denied accusations levelled against him with regard to the release of elephants from Pinnawela. “According to the cabinet paper elephants can be presented to Raja Maha Vihares and devales depending on the necessity,” the Minister explained.

The Minister went on to say that originally it was decided that five elephants were to be given to temples and another five to be auctioned. However, due to the demand of elephants by temples and devales he scrapped the auction and decided to give the remaining five elephants also to temples and devales. 

“Once these five elephants are released approval will not be given for the release of any other animals. My Ministry has prepared a cabinet paper and it has been approved in parliament,” the Minister said.

Commenting on whether he would give into political pressure after the release of these five elephants, the Minister said since there is a cabinet paper politicians, priests or anybody else would not be given permission to take elephants from Pinnawela.  

According to the Minister when a male elephant reaches the age of eight or nine years they have to be given away as they become boisterous. “Only one elephant has to be kept at the orphanage for inter breeding” the Minister said.

“Why are animal rights activists making a fuss about elephants being given? During the previous government elephants were released from the orphanage,” the Minister said. 

The Minister explained that the Prime Minister’s office had nothing to do with the approval of Kadira. “My Ministry drew up the papers for the release of Kadira as he was getting boisterous at the orphanage,” the Minister said.

Explaining the details of the  cabinet paper drafted on August 19, 2002 and approved on February 26, 2003 No. 02/1465/116/034, Environment Lawyer Jagath Gunewardene said “Donation of elephants and tuskers to temples and devales and the sale of elephants to private parties with the latest addition of the sale of elephants should be done on tenders and the minimum price decided by the Environment Ministry.”

Fruitful talks between CBK and PM

The talks that took place between President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday ended successfully, government sources said. The duo who met at President’s House had also opted to hold another meeting by next Wednesday.

Informed sources say by Wednesday both leaders are expected to finalise whatever they initially decided to agree upon.

The President had told the Premier that she is now willing to meet the four member committee that was appointed to facilitate a working arrangement between the UNP and the PA on Tuesday, December 9.

Daylight shooting in Colombo

A broad daylight shooting in the heart of Colombo sent shock waves among the residents living in Colombo Central on Friday.

The Maradana Police confirming the shooting incident said two unidentified men shot at a director of a company. According to the police there have not been any eyewitnesses.

Jagath Priya Karunaratne who was shot was in his vehicle while it was halted at the traffic lights. He was accompanied by another person, but according to police he had not received any injuries. Karunaratne is at present receiving treatment at the General Hospital. The police said he is out of danger.

The police said it was too premature to speculate the motive behind the attempted murder. They believe this may have been a personal vendetta.  Karunaratne (41) was shot at twice. The incident took place opposite Buhari Hotel in Maradana.

Ravi blasts Hakeem

Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake has called on Ports Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Chief, Rauf Hakeem to act with a sense of ‘collective responsibility’ over issues that are sensitive.

The Minister made this observation at the last cabinet meeting when the security situation in Kinniya was discussed.

Karunanayake referring to statements made by Hakeem from abroad, accusing both the government and the Premier and holding both responsible for the spate of killings that took place in Kinniya, said Hakeem did not bother to blame the Defence Minister who is the President but tried to blame the government for these incidents.

J'pura VC sacked?

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has reported to have asked Sri Jayewardenepura University Vice Chancellor Dr. Epitawatte to relinquish his services as the Vice Chancellor of the university with immediate effect.

Presidential Secretariat Media Director, Janadasa Peiris who could not confirm the President’s decision said though he too had heard about this there has not been any official intimation to this effect.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Tertiary Education Kabir Hashim said, for a person to be removed from his post there should be a reason.

He said the committee appointed by the President has submitted a report to the President recommending that Dr. Epitawatte should not be removed.

Concern over crime rate

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

The alarming rate of criminality is serious cause for concern and an equally serious concern for President Chandrika Kumaratunga who took over the Interior Ministry expressing her ‘grave reservations’ about the UNF government’s ability to maintain law and order.

Kumaratunga for her part emphasised the need to take charge of the Police Department which comes under the  Interior Ministry to check the increase.

But truth being stranger than fiction, statistics obtained by The Sunday Leader on crime rates for the month of November show that within a period of  20 days — from November 4 to 24 — the country has recorded 69 rape and sexual abuse cases, 103 reported robberies, 122 cases of house breaking and theft, along with 104 cases of theft of property including valuables over Rs. 5,000 among many others. The number of murders committed was unavailable.

The grand total of the number of crimes that took place between November 4- 24 stands at 521.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Director Crimes, Mahinda Hettiarachchi was rather baffled as to how this newspaper received statistics relating to crimes committed islandwide from November 4 – 24 as he claimed that the official report would be released only by December 10.

Hettiarachchi when asked about the crime rates, referring to the October report stated that there had been 111 cases of murder, 125 cases of rape and sexual abuse, 129 cases of theft of all types of vehicles, 128 cases of robberies worth above Rs. 25,000, 127 cases of theft of properties above Rs. 25,000 and two cases of manufacturing counterfeit currency among others.

As for the 111 cases of murder, Hettiarachchi explained that 83 cases have been solved. When queried what he meant by “solved,” he said that these cases have now reached the “inquiry stage.”

The rest of the cases (28), according to him are murders committed in an organised nature, which would take some time for the police to ‘solve’. He said that most of these unsolved cases are murders committed by underworld gangs.

Hettiarachchi asserted that out of the 125 cases of rape and sexual abuse reported for October, 102 have been solved, which meant they were now in the inquiry stage and the balance 23 cases are being looked in to.

He added that the highest number of rape and sexual cases were reported from areas in the Ratnapura, Anuradhapura and Tangalle Districts.

When asked whether  there was an increase in the number of crimes committed in the country, Hettiarachchi stated, “There is no such increase.” He however, admitted that there is no decrease in the number of crimes committed in the country either.

According to his estimation, there is no increase in the number of murders, and explained that it is the nature of the murders that have alarmed the general public.

He further explained that murders are committed more openly and more brutally which makes people feel that there are more murders taking place in the country now than before.

His observation is that crimes couldn’t be totally eradicated from society. However, the prime concern of the police  is the detection of crimes and solving them. “The public needs to be shown that action is being taken against wrongdoers and the good done by the police in solving crimes should also be highlighted to create a positive impact on the general public who are fast losing faith,” he said.

Time tables blamed for bus chaos

By Risidra Mendis

Last week’s strike action by the private bus operators islandwide  badly affected the students sitting their Ordinary Level examination, but authorities claim that the strikes would recur until and unless  proper time tables are introduced.

Despite the many demands made by the strikers, the entire issue finally boiled down to disorganised travel schedules and the National Transport Commission (NTC) not having control of the Pettah bus stand.

To solve private bus operators’ problems as well as public grievances, a survey is  being conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Its outcome is expected by March. “The next procedure would be to prepare a time table for each bus route” says Chairman, National Transport Commission, A. D. Thalagune.  He  says that there are around 20,600 private buses as against 4,500 Sri Lanka Central Transport Board (SLCTB) buses.

“Some owners have no control over their drivers and conductors. All they want is to get their money. Drivers take advantage of the situation and overload the buses,” explained Thalagune.

According to him, the  extra cash is pocketed by the drivers, and this is the main reason for them not wanting to work according to a timetable as that would prevent the overloading practice.

President, Private Bus Owners’ Association (PBA), Gemunu Wijeratne said the recent bus strike was a planned one. “A politician with connections with the PA and the UNF was involved in this strike. Politicians due to their influence get what they want. If this was a genuine strike why were 70 private buses damaged and one bus from Weligama set on fire during the strike?” Wijeratne asked.

According to Wijeratne his organisation was planning to stage a strike at 2 p.m. on December 1. But due to the influencing and threats of this particular politician the strike took place unexpectedly in the morning on December 1.

“This politician blocked some of the Moratuwa buses on Galle Road, the Avissawella buses on the High Level Road and the Nittambuwa buses on the Kandy Road. This was the cause of buses on their way not coming into Colombo that morning,” Wijeratne said.

“This is a direct attack on me and the government. But until the government has sufficient powers in the transport sector the private bus problem instead of improving will only get worse,” he warned.

Wijeratne went on to say that when he made a police  entry  informing them of this planned sabotage the police didn’t take any action “It was only after the situation got out of control that the police stepped in,” Wijeratne said.

Wanted: Monitor for international schools

By Shehan Moses

Despite the mushrooming of international schools  and students showing more  interest in an English  education, what is plaguing the supply and demand of education in this medium is the lack of a body to monitor  overall standards.

It is not just the lack of a monitoring mechanism that is lacking, but also the lack of regulations.

In Sri Lanka, it seems that anybody has the licence to start an international school if they have the necessary capital. They are  registered as business concerns under the Companies Act.

Principal,  Stafford International School, Noreen Welikala said that international schools are necessary to meet a growing demand for English language education, particularly the kind provided by international schools. 

Speaking on  standards, Welikala said the standards of some international schools are far short of the required standards. Some schools she observed did not have qualified teachers.

She supports the view that the Education Ministry should intervene and at least play the role of monitor at the time of setting up. The needs are far beyond the physical facilities like suitable buildings and qualified English speaking teachers, she asserts.

“There are no general standards maintained like in government schools. So parents must be careful  when sending children to these schools. One must check out the history of the institution thoroughly,” she observes.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Principal and  Chairman, Gateway International School, R. I. T. Alles said international schools have become a significant component of the Sri Lankan education system , specifically catering to an existing and fast growing demand. He noted that a difference existed between government and international schools’ syllabi.

Alles asserts that international schools open up a new world to the young student and makes him/ her a global citizen. ‘This is part of the reason for parents to give their offspring such an education,” Alles noted.

Yet, he is a strong believer of regulation to ensure uniformity in the standard of education at all these institutes. Further, he advocates the registration of these schools under the Education Ministry as well.

 Working holiday  visas to UK for Lankans

 By Shezna Shums

The British High Commission has introduced the Working Holidaymaker Visa (WHM ) to Sri Lankans since August this year.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Second Secretary (Political/ Information), British High Commission, Margaret Tongue says, “This scheme is open to citizens aged between 17 and 30 years of Commonwealth countries.”

At present the British High Commission in Sri Lanka processes 90 working holidaymaker visas a day but Tongue noted that unfortunately there is an 81% refusal rate for WHM visas,“mainly because of the vast general misunderstanding of what the visa involves.”

The visa is available to citizens who want to visit the United Kingdom for an extended holiday for up to two years. They will also be permitted to work during their stay.

However she noted, “These people will have to take a holiday during their stay in the UK,” but stressed “this visa is not a work permit as such.”

She pointed out that the application forms for these visas are available at their web site www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Telephone appointments

Tongue explained that for applicants to make an appointment at the British High Commission they have to telephone in, adding that the British High Commission has bookings up to early February.

Tongue explained “This scheme has been running for several years and has now widened to include all  Commonwealth citizens in August this year. There is no quota for Sri Lankans, nor will there be an end date,” she said.

She further said that “If people are not planning to travel to the UK in the next few months, there is no need to apply now.”

Some of the qualifications for this WHM visa include that applicants be Commonwealth citizens and between the required age group. Applicants also need to provide evidence of funds to support them during their stay, as well as their ability to finance the return journey back to Sri Lanka, or an onward journey when applicants plan to leave the UK at the end of their holiday.

Applicants on this visa can only stay in the UK for two years from the date of entry and should count any time spent outside the UK during that period as part of the two years.

No work restrictions

There are no work restrictions applied with regard to the type of work applicants can apply for and can take up either part time or fulltime work but it is essential that they take a holiday during this stay.

Whoever that senters the UK under this category, is permitted to switch into work permit employment after one year in the UK.

Also when making the application  the applicant will need application form  vaf1-non-settlement. If there are any dependents under 16 years included and will be travelling with the applicant, they can be included on one form, while older dependents should complete separate forms. Other essentials are a valid passport and travel documents, and two recent passport sized photographs.

The entry clearance officer may be able to decide on  applications  without further inquiries, but applicants may be asked to attend an interview during the processing.

In addition  applicants may also be asked and told to give evidence of their financial standing and funds.

Early warning system for floods

Irrigation and Water Management Ministry  under the instructions of Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera is in the process of preparing a project report for an early warning system on floods.

The Minister took this decision after the major damage caused in the country by the  floods in May. According to Ministry officials the Irrigation Department is setting up  an early warning system to predict floods in the Kelani, Kalu, Gin and Nilwala rivers.

The Maduru Oya, Gal Oya, Rajangana, Kalawewa, Lunugamvehera, Uda Walawe and Inginimitiyawa reservoirs have also been identified as flood prone.

The purpose of this project is to reduce damage to life and property and make reservoir operations convenient and safe during times of  floods.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 25 million. The project has been approved by the Regaining Sri Lanka (RSL) task force on irrigation, water and economic policy.

The Sunday Leader learns that the Director General, Department of National Planning has requested the Director General, National Budget to include this project in the year 2004 budget.       

COPE members to be reappointed

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) that was dissolved automatically when President Chandrika Kumaratunga prorogued parliament on November 3, is to be reappointed on December 11.

According to informed sources, the members of the  dissolved body would meet in parliament to elect a chairman.

The former chairman of COPE and PA parliamentarian, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle  had to relinquish his post after the prorogation.

Sources said Fernandopulle is likely to be reappointed as COPE chairman.

There are 15 members in COPE — seven from the opposition and eight from the ruling party.

Meanwhile Fernandopulle told The Sunday Leader once the  COPE is constituted it would carry on with the old cases that were pending. “As it is COPE is defunct. But we will continue with our work after  COPE is reappointed,” he said.

Rural folk to benefit from electrification projects

The 1450 Rehabilitation and Expansion (RE) schemes launched  by the Power and Energy Ministry under the Deepaloka programme will provide electricity to 285,000 homes, benefiting 1.2 million people. The projects have been identified under three different categories and 1025 schemes have already been identified and implementation has commenced.

The programme which was launched  by Minister Karu Jayasuriya will not only provide electricity but will also assist rural folks in utilising resources in the village for maximum economic gains. Through initial rural electrification programmes there has been increased productivity of small-scale industries, modernisation of business establishments and effective use of modern telecom facilities.

The accelerated rural electrification programme is bound to raise the socio- economic level of the rural population significantly. The increased production capabilities by using  available resources will act as a catalyst for the generation of job opportunities within the villages, which would help reduce unemployment quantitatively.

Strong objections against  proposed Health Master Plan

The Health Master Plan that was to be introduced  last month has been temporarily shelved due to growing opposition from health experts who say they had not been properly consulted prior to preparing the draft of the plan.

The Japan Agency for International Cooperation (JAIC) in collaboration with the World Bank prepared a Master Plan for the health sector that was to be presented formally to the government on November 24. However, as planned the Master Plan could not be submitted to the state for implementation as senior health sector employees opposed the proposed reform.

The official launch has now been postponed by three months. However, senior health sector employees say if the plan fails to meet the standards and the requirements of  Sri Lankan society, there would be more opposition with further stepped up campaigns that would follow.

According to health sources the draft has been prepared at a cost of nearly Rs. 256 million. “This is similar to the Presidential Task Force on health that was prepared by the previous People’s Alliance (PA) regime at a colossal amount of money. The then regime too wasted public money but finally it was not used as this system did not meet the basic requirements of the Sri Lankan society,” senior medical experts said.

According to Spokesman, Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Dr.Channa Perera the planners had failed to consult some of the senior members of the health sector while only consulting junior members prior to preparing the draft.

“This should not have been the case. There are so many senior medical officers who could have been consulted. But it did not happen,” Dr.Perera charged.

He said for instance in the contents of the Master Plan primary health care is not given emphasis. According to him Sri Lanka’s health care has been on par with other countries because the state has always given prime emphasis to primary health care. “So this plan, according to the new Health Master Plan, is not going to work out well as a result of this,” he said.

 Explaining further, he said another issue that needs  focus is  the cluster hospitals that are to be formed under the new plan. He says according to the new plan all small hospitals would come under one hospital like the cluster bus companies. “We cannot agree to this. This system is not going to work out well in Sri Lanka,” he said.

Referring to another proposal, which he said is ‘unsuitable’ for Sri Lanka, is an insurance scheme for the patients. “I am sure 60% of the patients will not be able to afford this,” he said.

Quoting some other provisions of the Master Plan the doctor said the plan has indicated that abortion is the second largest reason for admission of women to hospitals. Refuting this he said ‘it was wrong.’

No proper consultation

Deputy Chairman, Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), Dr.Ananda Samarasekara says there has not been proper consultation between the planners and the stake holders and attributes this to the present status of the Master Plan.

He says any such proposal must be discussed with the stakeholders as well since they  would be directly involved in any changes that are to be brought into the health sector.

Trade union action against proposed Water Reform Bill

The Multi Religious and Multi Racial Organisation for Human Rights has threatened to go ahead with trade union action until the government gives a firm assurance that the proposed Water Bill would not be implemented.

The organisation is in the process of collecting signatures from members of civil society targeting one million. So far, the association’s spokesman said, close upon  100,000 signatures have been collected.

 Spokesman Sarath Fernando says the signatures would be handed over to both the President and the Prime Minister for their intervention prior to the bill being passed in parliament.

Earlier the Supreme Court held that the bill must be passed by a simple majority in parliament only if all provincial councils agree as the bill  under the 13th Amendment came under the provincial council list.

The Sunday Leader learns the Uva Provincial Council has passed a resolution against the bill.

A massive protest was launched by the multi religious and multi racial organisation opposite the Fort Railway Station last Wednesday against the Water Services Reform Bill.

According to the alliance the bill would pave the way for  multi national companies and any local traders to privatise and regulate the water supply throughout the country, which may lead to the violation of human rights of the people

This bill provides any company that obtains such a licence the opportunity to subsidise consumers and to enter into fresh contracts with the consumers, which means the consumers, could have to pay a security deposit. Consumers would also have to pay any expenses incurred in supplying water.

Tea Board creates Intelligence Marketing Division

By Shezna Shums

The Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) is planning to merge three of its vital units within the board, in order to optimise output.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader SLTB, statistician, Palitha Sarukkali stated that there are three main units in the SLTB, which are the Statistics Unit, Information Technology Unit and Library and that they would be all brought under one umbrella in the future.

All these three departments are to be combined and an Intelligence Marketing Division is to be created. He said these services will be further enhanced and added, additional in-depth information would be made available to the public.  “Some of these the board has not done before, such as giving information about cost of production, which would be done now,"  he said. 

Even the cost of sales, production, auction prices and other data which were available at three different units will be made available under the one unit of Intelligence Marketing,  giving locals as well as other countries access to more in-depth studies and information on the subject of tea in Sri Lanka, Sarukkali explained.

This Intelligence Centre Sarukkali explained will provide an up to date database on tea production, export performance, marketing and sale prices of the tea industry both globally and locally.  “When Sri Lanka releases data of our tea performance the whole world is interested to know what happened,” Sarukkali told The Sunday Leader.

“This information will be published on a regular basis.  Under this programme the board would also be highlighting problems the tea industry is facing  and provide a well-documented and useful reference facility with a library, where persons interested in the tea industry could engage in research relating to the industry,” he said.

According to him the new unit will also carry out market research studies as and when required in consumer and potential market countries, which Sarukkali noted was lagging earlier.

“Another activity that is to be undertaken is the evaluation of import and export regulations in producer and consumer countries.  Then compilation of cost of production data for Sri Lanka and other producing countries for comparison purposes is another activity that will be done,” he explained.

He says analysis of prices relating to auction prices; prices of sales and demands as well as retail prices will be available.

Sarukkali told The Sunday Leader that about 90% of Sri Lankan tea is exported.  As a result, he explained, this Intelligence Marketing unit would be extremely useful to other countries as well as locals. 

“Here through the SLTB website people can even make purchases of tea either from abroad or localy and the SLTB will deliver quality tea to the person,” he added.

TNA members meet LTTE on Dec. 9

Members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) are expected to meet the  political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on December 9, a spokesman for the alliance said.

The TNA will discuss the current political situation and especially the reaction of the south to the present constitutional crisis the country is facing, the spokesman said.

ADB to fund power projects

The Power and Energy Ministry has accelerated the rehabilitation and expansion of electricity services after a MoU to this effect was signed with the Asian Development Bank.

Under the Conflict Affected Area Rehabilitation Project (CAARP) funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the bank will allocate funds for Rehabilitation and Expansion (RE) schemes in a number of districts.

Funds will be allocated for 28 RE schemes in the Jaffna District, nine RE schemes in the Mullaitivu District, 11 RE schemes in the Killinochchi District and one RE scheme in the Vavuniya District. In addition in the Vavuniya and Manner Districts 27 sub stations will be installed to improve the existing schemes and facilitate construction of LV extensions. The development and construction of associated MV lines will also be included under the project.

So far, 38 RE schemes and associated MV lines have been completed in the Jaffna District at a cost of Rs.380 million with  funds allocated by ADB.

Tea industry to be revamped

By Shezna Shums

 Significant changes are to be introduced by the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) with a view to revamping and reviving the tea industry.

The changes include a series of promotional campaigns that are to be carried out by the board islandwide.

Chairman, Tea Board, George N. M. Pelpola said that the board is carrying out promotional campaigns to increase the consumption of tea in the country, especially among the youth of the country.

He explained that the SLTB hopes to open up tea counters in the southern coastal belt with a view to attracting tourists. “Similar counters are also expected to be opened in Pinnawela and Viharamahadevi Park so that locals as well as foreigners could be assured of a good cup of Sri Lankan tea,” he said.

He also added that the SLTB has plans to reopen the Tea Shop at the Katunayake Airport. He said those arriving from abroad would be given a complimentary cup of tea for them to savour. He says the board plans to implement this programme with effect from January 1, next year.

He said that the SLTB is planning to man tea counters that are found in popular rest houses attached to the Tourist Board with the assistance of the Tourist Board.

“These plans are all aimed at providing the public with a perfect cup of tea as well as optimise this product that the country has in abundance,” Pelpola said.

Pelpola also noted that iced tea is another product that the SLTB is trying to promote in the country.

He said another plan of the SLTB is the establishment of tea counters at railway stations. Soft drinks are expected to face tough competition with the introduction of iced tea as a thirst quencher. “This would definitely compete with all other cool drinks in my view,” he said.

“Apart from these plans, the board has carried out several seminars all over the country including Jaffna, to educate people on how to judge the quality of tea they are buying. Through this method, they would be able to ascertain for themselves whether the tea they purchase is of good standard or not,” Pelpola said.

Mahaweli Center expands

The Mahaweli Centre that was set up with the sole intention of serving people of the Mahaweli areas has within the course of this year expanded its services for the benefit of the general public.

The Sunday Leader learns that Irrigation and Water Management Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera has instructed officials at the Mahaweli Centre to serve not only the people of the Mahaweli areas, but the entire island.

The Minister has stressed the need for implementing new programmes through the centre and instructed the relevant officials that funds should be acquired through its own funding activities. “The center should also target school leavers in the Mahaweli areas to engage themselves in productive employment based on self reliance,” the Minister has said.

As part of the ongoing programme, the Mahaweli Center is taking the initiative to popularise Mahaweli products among people in the capital and cities outside Mahaweli areas. One of the main programmes initiated by the Mahaweli Centre was the establishment of the Mahaweli Art Association in order to preserve the various art traditions and cultural values for the benefit of future generations.

Artists engaged in various fields of art are given the opportunity of improving their living conditions.

This programme was launched jointly by the Cultural Department, Tower Hall Foundation and the Mahaweli Center. These organisations are now in the process of formulating a structural set up together with an action plan. As an initial step the relevant officials have decided to implement the programme in the districts where all nine Mahaweli systems are located.