News in Brief

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 June 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Provincial Ministry has allocated one million rupees to chlorine ten thousand wells in the Jaffna Peninsula, ICRC hired ship is anchored for repairs and tremor in Batticaloa.

Million rupees to chlorinate wells

The ministry of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the North Eastern Provincial Council has allocated funds worth 1 million Sri Lankan Rupees (approximately 16,200 US$) for the chlorination of nearly 10,000 wells in various parts of the Jaffna peninsula, said sources there.

Wells in Neduntheevu, Velanai, Kytes, and Valikamam South, East and East will be chlorinated between June 22 and August 28.

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ICRC ship services temporarily stopped

The ship service to the Jaffna peninsula operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will not function for the next two weeks, as the ship is anchored for repairs, said sources in Jaffna.

The boat was also used for the transport of mail and the sick to and from the peninsula.

Following cancellation of the ship service the delivery of mail to the peninsula is expected to be further delayed, said sources.

Meanwhile, vegetable prises have gone up again in the peninsula. Brinjawls are sold at 40 RS a kilo, green chillies - 120 RS, Onions - 30 RS, and Ladies Finger - 40 Rs.

The severe heat in the Peninsula has also destroyed the leeks which were produced there.

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Tremor in Batticaloa

A minor earthquake was felt in the Baticaloa district around 7.10 p.m.Thursday, said Meteorological institute officials there. The earthquake lasted for nearly a minute.

However they could not measure the strength of Thursday's tremor as no instruments were available, they added.

Residents from various parts of the district have informed the Government Agent about the event, said sources there.