President Maithripala Sirisena says this year will be dedicated towards the appointment of a new government.

The people are requested to keep the national flag hoisted in all government offices, every household and all business premises from today till 7th of February to mark National Day.

It is reported that former Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has decided not to attend the National Independence Day celebrations to be held at the Galle Face on February 4.

A person in possession of a stock of 400,000 foreign cigarettes worth around Rs 20 million has been arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) in Pettah.

The World Bank has agreed to extend further assistance to expand the Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project, which is currently being implemented in 7 districts, to many other districts.

Sri Lanka has halted imports of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder until the company proves its product is free from cancer-causing asbestos, two government officials and the product’s local distributor told Reuters.

Deputy Minister Ajith Mannapperuma has been sworn in as the State Minster of Mahaweli Development and Environment.

The government has decided to declare world heritage site Sigiriya as polythene free and waste free zone from tomorrow (Feb 1).

The Lawyers for Democracy organisation has expressed serious concern pertaining to reports of a possible grant of Presidential pardon to arrested and convicted Thera Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara.

President Maithripala Sirisena said he will ensure the death sentences passed on drug offences are carried out soon.

There has been no agreement with the United States of America to establish a US military camp within Sri Lanka, says Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene.

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday submitted a Cabinet memorandum seeking approval to conduct elections to the nine provincial councils on a single day before May 31 this year.

Plantation Companies should hand over their estates to the government if they cannot pay a daily wage of Rs. 1,000 to plantation workers, Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy City Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella said.

SriLankan lost USD 14.04 million between 2013 and 2015 as it was compelled to fly to and handle flights at the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka was informed, yesterday.

Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has issued directives to the Secretary to the Ministry to cancel the circular on the collection of funds for various projects in schools.