Sri Lanka looking for year round rice supplies, East begins to kick in

Colombo, 25 May, (Asiantribune.com): With the end of three decades’ war and revival of northern and eastern regions, Sri Lanka is now eagerly looking for self sufficiency in rice.

The country is targeting for increase in rice productivity up to 5.4 tonnes per hectare in 2010. It also expects year-round rice availability by end of 2010. Sri Lanka is also looking for export of excess harvests by 2011, rice industry sources said.

According to reports from the Department of Agriculture (DoA), Sri Lanka will reach 100 percent self sufficiency in rice by increasing production to 3 million metric tonnes by end of 2010. The DoA data also show that US $ 36.6 million in use for the agricultural programme that commenced in 2006

Read more...http://www.asiantribune.com/news

Sunanda Deshapriya

NIVANA SOYANNATA NUBA HURATHAL VADIDA PUTHE?

Immigration Issues for our Sangha -NZBC

For over three years, it has been very difficult for our ordained Sangha to obtain Permanent Residency. The NZBC (New Zealand Buddhist Council)has been working hard to change this so that our Dharma communities can have continuity of spiritual care. We have identified the issues and presented Immigration Services with very reasonable alternatives that meet both our Dharma communities' and the Immigration Service's requirements. During the past two years, NZBC has:
written three briefing papers for government officials
met with Immigration officials on three occasions
organised an alliance of four religious communities who experience similar issues (Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist)
authored a "Helpful Hints" paper (for the previous government)
We have also gained some publicity; in December 2009, Radio New Zealand National's Nine to Noon interviewed our Chairperson, Amala Wrightson (download podcast here).
Recently there have been signs that our concerns are being heard by government officials, and that the Minister of Immigration is preparing to take a serious look at the problem.
We continue to liaise with Buddhist organisations to monitor the situation. If your organisation can provide us with examples of how this policy has affected you, we would like to hear from you as soon as possible. The Council cannot get involved in individual cases, but we are able to inform officials about the common problems faced by our communities.
Please contact Amala Wrightson at info@buddhistcouncil.org.nz if you have issues you would like her to pass on.
Read more....
http://www.buddhistcouncil.org.nz/.

Sarath Kongahage - New Chairman -SLRC

By K T Rajasingham
Colombo, 14 May (Asiantribune.com):

Sarath Kongahage - Chairman RupavahiniSarath Kongahage is the newly appointed Chairman of the Rupavahini TV Corporation. A mass media expert, he brings in his rich experience from his past service in the print and electronic media as also in the Media and Information Ministry.
He spoke to Asian Tribune and said that Rupavahini, the leading Television channel in Sri Lanka by any standard, has always maintained and catered the national perspective, and to get an opportunity to serve as the head of it is the greatest happiness.
“We are ahead of others, especially during the civil strife we were ahead of all others. We promoted the country and involved in defeating the terrorism.
Subsequently all channels followed after us,” Sarath Kongahagee said.
Also in the next phase of the development, he said “we are also ahead of supporting the government in bringing development to the North and East specially, and to the rest of the country.”
The Chairman added: “Our next phase is on bringing reconciliation amongst the communities. This is an attempt to heal the old wounds and bury the past and build a new country to be called the “Surprise of Asia” that includes making a new Sri Lanka and new Sri Lankan citizens irrespective of caste, creed and religions, whether they are Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims.”

Read more http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/05/14/rupavahini-has-new-chairman-sarath-kongahage

Desapalaka

Shakuntala' of Kalidasa presented in Jaffna

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations presented the world famous classical Sanskrit play Abhijñāna Śākuntalam (The Recognition of Shakuntala) of Kalidasa in the form of a musical dance drama in Tamil before a packed audience at the Veerasingham Hall in Jaffna on May 05.
Read more...http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100508_03