Launching wide-ranging reforms to improve the investment climate in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that wider powers will be needed to implement certain changes while proposed legislative and sub-legislative changes will be expedited.

Hot on the heels of Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera calling for the restrictions on the sale of alcohol on certain days to be liberalized, Finance State Minister Eran Wickramaratne said he was stunned to find out that women cannot legally purchase liquor in Sri Lanka.

The central committee of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has given consent to launch a continuous strike.

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said his ministry has not been entrusted with any responsibility relating to the disposal of garbage in the country.

Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya yesterday called on Sinhala mothers to produce more children and ensure the protection of Buddhism and the Sinhala race.

The Government is to consider the suspension of the controversial Uma Oya multi-purpose Development project in the Uva Province.

After commencing operations in United States (US) about two years back, the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited (KDCMPUL) popularly known as Amul Dairy will now start milk procurement in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

President Maithripala Sirisena pointed out the importance of streamlining and more efficiently implementing the programmes on waste management and prevention of dengue menace.

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a case against letting a Chinese company lease land in southern Sri Lanka, a lawyer said, potentially ending a six-month delay in finalizing the deal, part of China’s plans for a modern-day “Silk Road” across Asia.

The World Bank noted in its report that despite challenges posed by natural disasters, Sri Lanka’s economic performance was satisfactory in 2016, said a statement here on Friday.

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that he sided with the public protesting against the Uma Oya Project. “ I am on the side of the people.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday reiterated that remedial measures taken to resolve the issues caused by the SAITM (South Asian Institute of technology and Medicine) should lead to its nationalisation.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the freedom of expression is slowly being deprived of.

The anti-corruption commission appointed by the President is in the process of completing 35 final reports on large-scale corruption, fraud and misuse of power and State funds before 3 September.