NBRO and Japan International Cooperation System joins hands
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) jointly with the Japan International Cooperation System have developed an equipment grant proposal to strengthen the NBRO field and laboratory instrumentation in geo-technical engineering, building materials and construction testing and environmental monitoring that are directly relevant to post tsunami reconstruction and rehabilitative work in Sri Lanka.
The Government of Japan had accepted this proposal and a total of Rs 58.7 mn was granted under the technical support programme of Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The handing over ceremony was held on March 8, 2007 at the NBRO premises with the participation of the Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Counselor of the Embassy of Japan, Project Manager of Japan International Cooperation Systems, several other distinguished invitees and the staff of NBRO.
The equipment provided under this grant aid are as follows:
For Geo technical investigations: (of value of Rs 37.5 mn)
- Drilling Machine
- Drilling Pumps
- Drill Rods
- Casing Tubes
- Diamond casing shoes
- Standard Penetration Test Assembly
- And other equipment
For building and construction material testing (of value of Rs 13.2 mn)
- Compression Testing Machine
- Concrete Core Drilling Machine
- Los Angeles Abrasion Machine
- Moisture Meter
- Automatic Vicat Apparatus
- Autoclave
- Concrete Test Hammer
- And other equipment
For monitoring of environmental parameters: (of value of Rs 8 mn)
- Spectrophotometer
- Analytical Balance with Damping Table
- Biological Safety Cabinet
- Digital Burettes
- Digital Pipettes
- Table Top Centrifuge
- Thermo Reactor for COD
- Multi Gas Detector
- Air Quality Monitor
- Heavy Duty pH Meter
- Digital Orbital Shaker
- Photometer
- Ion Chromatograph
- And other equipment
National Safety Day
The Government of Sri Lanka has declared 26 December 2006 as National Safety Day. To be held as an annual event, National Safety Day will feature national awareness programmes for disaster preparedness, in order to build a culture of safety in Sri Lanka.
A National Safety Day event is an effective way of creating awareness with the participation of the general public and school children. The day will start with the ringing of bells in all religious places for two minutes from 9.25 – 9.27 a.m. on 26 December 2006. Religious programmes will also take place in the evening on the same day.
Regional programmes focused on the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’ as well as essay and art competitions for school children is also planned to commemorate the day.
