I would like to wish a very Happy Deepavali to all those celebrating the Festival of Lights in Sri Lanka and around the world. Lighting a lamp at this joyous occasion, symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, states Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Deepavali Message.

Hindu devotees across the globe light lamps and engage in religious observances with the expectation of dispelling darkness of ignorance and illuminating wisdom today, states President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a Deepavali Message.

Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, on 13 November said the final decision on burying the remains of those who die due to COVID-19 related complications, will be reached after receiving the report of the technical committee comprising health experts.

Five more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

The government says that more than 1.4 million families have been given a subsidy of Rs. 5,000.

Whilst stating that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had projected a 4.6 percent negative growth end 2020, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday that he would present a budget aimed at creating a modern economy through ‘Vistas of Prosperity’ policy document.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Kabir Hashim yesterday (12) questioned the Government on how they spent Rs 2,650 billion of State debt, borrowed in 2020.

Latest statistics on the outbreak of Coronavirus / COVID-19 in Sri Lanka for the day 12 November 2020, according to the Health Promotion Bureau.

Two more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

Sri Lanka’s public debt, which was 70 percent in 2014, has increased to 85 percent by 2019, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The Government has spent Rs.7,564.71 million to provide relief to 1,452,954 families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested construction industry pioneers to commence work on a large number of housing projects simultaneously for the benefit of low, middle and upper middle income earners covering different areas of the country.

Prof. Neelika Malavige, of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, said it would be prudent to take a final decision on the three vaccines that are being trialled as a preventive measure for COVID-19, only after studying them up to December this year and not before that.

Coronavirus Another patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 has died today, marking the 46th death reported in Sri Lanka due to COVID-19.

Another patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 has died today, marking the 45th death reported in Sri Lanka due to COVID-19.

The government has taken steps to prohibit people in the Western Province from traveling to other provinces with immediate effect.