Sri Lanka will launch its first ever satellite into space in April marking its entry into the global space age, officials from Sri Lanka’s Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education said on Wednesday.

The Criminal Investigation Department officials yesterday questioned Southern Province Crimes Investigation unit OIC, Chief Inspector Saman Rohana in connection with the abduction of two businessmen in Rathgama.

Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine has taken steps to issue an electronic health card which includes a personal health record with an individual identification number to each of the 21 million Sri Lankan citizens by the year 2020.

Minister Kabir Hashim arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) unit at the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate financial irregularities that had taken place at SriLankan airlines, SriLankan Catering (Pvt.) Limited and Mihin Lanka Airlines, to give a statement a short while ago.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that it was not possible to eradicate cocaine when some politicians were addicted it.

All chainsaw machines that are currently in use must be registered from today (20) as per an order issued by the President.

Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne told the media yesterday (Feb 19) at the Information Department that he could have explained the situation to President Maithripala Sirisena if the latter had raised the issue of contaminated milk powder products at the weekly Cabinet meeting.

An accomplice of drug lord Makandure Madush named Wedikande Kasun was taken into police custody in a raid conducted by the Mirihana Police Special Crime Investigation Unit yesterday.

A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court, requesting it to order the Elections Commission to hold Provincial Council elections immediately.

Sri Lanka’s first nano satellite, developed by the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies with technological support from Japan, will be launched by mid-2019, Non-Cabinet Science, Technology and Research Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe yesterday said.

A special Police team is ready to leave for Dubai to question drug kingping Makandure Madush now in Police custody in Dubai, soon after permission is granted by the Dubai authorities.

State Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday (18), said that he had revealed the names of politicians, including Members of Parliament, who allegedly consume cocaine and other illegal narcotics to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on 17 February.