President Maithripala Sirisena says the aim of the Government is to provide equal opportunities and benefits for all children in the field of education under a common policy which eliminates differences.

Three residents in Kelaniya area yesterday filed a Fundamental Right petition in the Supreme Court challenging the government’s decision to sing the National Anthem in the Tamil language during the Independence Day celebrations.

The United States today hailed the reconciliation efforts of the Sri Lankan government in the past year as “very impressive”.

Sri Lanka’s foreign minister said on Thursday he is willing to consider international participation in investigating possible war crimes during the 26-year Tamil insurgency.

All measures are in place to double the minimum basic salary of the public service within the next five years, Public Administration Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara said.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka took oaths as the Regional Development Minister a short while ago at the Presidential Secretariat before President Maithripala Sirisena, President’s Media division has announced.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha and four others including Nishantha Ranatunga and Rohan Weliwita were further remanded till March 10 by the Kaduwela Magistrate Dammika Hemapala today.

Sri Lankan rupee forwards ended slightly weaker on Wednesday as importer demand for the greenback and mild dollar inflows put pressure on the rupee despite a 50-basis-point rate hike by the central bank last week.

In the next batch of voluntary repatriation, 12 Sri Lankan refugees, living in various camps across the State, would be leaving for Colombo from Tiruchi on Friday.

Farmers countrywide were undergoing many hardships as there was a severe shortage of fertiliser, but the government had failed to take any action to arrest the situation, Chief Opposition whip and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday.

Prime Minister of New Zealand John Phillip Key described Sri Lanka as the ‘Shining Light of Asian Region’. He said there are enormous opportunities available in Sri Lanka for New Zealand entrepreneurs and investors.

The United States in 2015 strongly endorsed democratic progress in Sri Lanka, says Secretary of State John Kerry.

There is a false notion that Health Service vehicles break down frequently and that doctors, nurses, para medics and drivers will be brought down from India to implement the project. There is no truth in these allegations.

Sri Lankan rupee forwards traded steady on Tuesday as inflows kept pace with dollar demand by importers, but pressure remained with the one-year rupee premium rising despite a 50-basis-point rate hike by the central bank last week.

Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao called on President Maithripala Sirisena today (February 23) at the Presidential Secretariat. Mr Nakao arrived in Sri Lanka last night on a two-day official visit.

General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara thero has been released on bail by the Homagama Magistrate’s Court.