The JVP will commence a series of programmes from today under the theme “Gamen Patangamu”, with the aim of providing solutions to issues faced by the rural community.

Direct flights between Sri Lanka and France resumed after six years yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism stated. Accordingly, SriLankan Airlines Flight UL 563 departed for the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, at 1 a.m. yesterday.

The JVP says that the country is caught-up in what it calls ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ and warns that Sri Lanka is poised to lose more national assets in the immediate future.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a wide range of public services as essential services, as trade unions are bracing for a strike demanding the cancellation of an agreement with a US company on the sale of 40 percent of the shares of the Yugadanavi power plant at Kerwalapitiya.

The brother of the notorious criminal figure on death row ‘Dematagoda Chaminda’ who was arrested over his involvement in drug dealing has been remanded until November 05.

“At that point I wondered whether I was dreaming” said Minister Wimal Weerawansa, recalling the instance when the cabinet paper on the controversial LNG power plant deal was approved within the Cabinet.

Health Minister Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella told EU officials yesterday (29) that 70 per cent of the country’s population has been vaccinated. The Minister also pointed out that the population over 30 years of age has been fully vaccinated.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country today (30) to attend the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.

The United National Party says international powers have started to blacklist the present administration.

The payment for the organic fertilizer consignment shipped by Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd. was halted due to an interim injunction issued by the court, the People’s Bank in Sri Lanka said today.

The People’s Bank of Sri Lanka has been blacklisted by the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka for failing to make the payment according to the Letter of Credit and the contacts between two parties.

Sri Lanka’s COVID-stricken economy is being likened to a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment as foreign reserves plummet, the cost of living rises and the central bank carries on printing money.

State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle says attention should be directed to making the primary health care system compatible with a Sri Lankan model.

Professor Neelika Malavige has been selected as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) technical advisory committee on COVID-19.

A ceremony was held at the St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena, yesterday (28) to grant housing units to families of Easter Attack victims under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.