Probe launched on hacking of websites; Govt. to take steps on data protection: Minister

31 Dec 2024

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In the wake of several state institutions’ websites being hacked during the last few days, the government has launched investigations into these matters, Cabinet spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

’Clean Sri Lanka’ programme to be launched tomorrow

31 Dec 2024

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The ’Clean Sri Lanka’ programme focusing on areas such as social behaviour, environmental cleanliness and people’s ethical behaviour will be launched tomorrow with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat, Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Finance and Economic Affairs G. N. R. D. Aponsu said yesterday.

Government stabilised country within three months: Nalinda

30 Dec 2024

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The government has been able to stabilise the country within three months where some halted foreign funded projects have recommenced while discussions have been initiated to bring in new investments, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Defence forces will be employed exclusively for primary role of military assignments: Govt.

29 Dec 2024

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The defence forces will be employed exclusively for their primary role of military assignments in defending the country, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) said.

Practical and modernized process needed to prevent smuggling: President

28 Dec 2024

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed the need for a practical and modernised process to prevent smuggling and called for the replacement of the current scanning equipment with advanced, modern scanners.

‘We have to struggle with officials for our policies’: Handunnetti

28 Dec 2024

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The National People’s Power (NPP) government now has a struggle with state officials to safeguard the NPP’s policies, whereas the NPP had to struggle on the streets for the rights of the people before taking over power, Minister of Industries Sunil Handunnetti said today.

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Sri Lanka loses large amount of foreign exchange due to import of unnecessary drugs: Health Minister

28 Dec 2024

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Asserting that Sri Lanka loses a large amount of foreign exchange due to the import of unnecessary drugs, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday the government will adopt a scientific solution to address this issue.

Police sergeant killed, another injured in road accident

27 Dec 2024

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A police sergeant was killed and another injured when a tipper truck knocked them down while inspecting vehicles at the Gal Oya check point on the Habarana-Trincomalee road last night.

Previous govt. had reached agreements on restructuring 99% of total external debts: Minister

27 Dec 2024

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Amidst debates on claiming credit for debt restructuring, Minister of Labour Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando said yesterday that fundamental agreements on restructuring 99 percent of the total external debts had been reached during the previous government and the current government intervened to restructure only one percent, USD 300 million external debts.

Withholding tax imposed on depositors below lower-income brackets to be refunded: Govt.

26 Dec 2024

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The government is formulating a mechanism to provide relief to depositors who had to pay 10 percent withholding tax whereas they earn less than Rs. 150,000 deposit interest a month, Minister of Labour Anil Jayantha said today.

NMRA, SPC, SPMC, MSD must take responsibility of continuous supply of quality medicines: Minister

25 Dec 2024

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Stressing the need to resolve issues in the supply of medicines soon, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA), State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) and Medical Supplies Division (MSD) must take the responsibility of providing quality medicines to the people continuously.

Government to regulate private hospitals: Dr. Jayatissa

24 Dec 2024

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The government has taken steps to regulate private hospitals as people have faced serious issues when seeking treatment from private hospitals, Cabinet spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

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Nalinda responds to Dayasiri’s allegation on JVP MPs obtaining money from President’s Fund

24 Dec 2024

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Cabinet spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today that the people will know whether the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MPs had sought assistance from the President’s Fund as claimed by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara when the rest of the list is released soon.

50 elephants dead due to electrocution so far this year: CEB

23 Dec 2024

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Some 50 elephants have died due to unauthorised connection of the CEB’s electricity supply to fences or wires so far in 2024, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Former govt’s hard work now yielding strong, tangible results: Semasinghe

22 Dec 2024

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The former government’s collective hard work and determination in steering the nation from crisis to growth are now yielding strong, tangible results, former State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

People have complete right to lie: Kottahachchi

21 Dec 2024

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People have the complete right to convince others that something true is false or something false is true, as it is a democratic right, NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi said today.

Government hoping to update FTA with India: Vijitha

20 Dec 2024

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The government is hoping to initiate discussions with India to update the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka, which was signed several decades ago, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

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Govt. defends Ex-Ambassador Arunatilaka

20 Dec 2024

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While standing by former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra Himalee Arunatilaka, who faced a lawsuit over a salary issue of a domestic aide, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said Arunatilaka had not committed any financial fraud and that it was due to an issue with Sri Lankan salary scale.

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Government to appoint committee to draft national policy on research vessels: Foreign Minister

20 Dec 2024

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The government is to appoint a special committee to prepare a policy framework on foreign research vessels entering Sri Lankan waters, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Sajith still to submit educational certificates to Paliament: Nalinda

19 Dec 2024

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Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has not submitted his educational certificates to Parliament as yet, despite his claims of tabling them in Parliament yesterday, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.