Minister Bandula Gunawardena says, Foreign Direct Investments alone cannot be relied upon to strengthen the financial sector of the country, therefore the government is focusing its attention on uplifting the local producers

Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo today, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said, an Investment Promotion 'Vimukthi' Package will be introduced with the intention of uplifting the country's foreign currency reserves. He also says, by this move, the value of the dollar can be brought down to 160 rupees in the first year, and 140 rupees in the 2nd year.

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Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says the income received by agricultural sector will be made free of income tax

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This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Uva-Wellassa Independence Struggle

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The Suwa-Seriya Emergency Ambulance Service will be operational in the Central Province

The Suwa-Seriya Emergency Ambulance Service will be operational in the Central Province. Thereby, the service is to be functional in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts, from today.

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Several MPs point out the image loss caused to the country during the last regime.

Parliamentarian Indika Anuruddha says that sole solution for the prevailing political crisis is the holding of a general election. Addressing a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office this morning he said that the president has constitutionally appointed the new Government and the Prime minister. If the opposition says that these appointments are not made legally they can go before the Supreme Court.
Mr.Anuruddha also said that, Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe is mis-appropriating public property, while remaining at Temple Trees. He said that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna did not oppose him when the United National Party was putting the country towards destruction.
MP Sanath Nishantha said that, the security of the country has collapsed during the last three and a half years. The previous regime cut fertilizer subsidy and change the provision of school uniforms and the payment of Samurdhi allowances. Duty on wheat flour was changed and the decision has affected the farmers. The milk farmers didn't get a fair price.
The Hambanthota port has been given to a foreign country. MP Sanath Nishantha said that, the central bank was brought under the former prime minister and a foreigner was appointed as the governor of the central bank and a huge bond scam occurred. Information on an assassination attempt on president was revealed and it was prevented after the appointment of the new prime minister

Health authorities commend the public contribution in the dengue control programmes.

The National Dengue Prevention Unit says that there is a considerable decline of dengue patients reported this year up to date compared to the corresponding period last year. 41,349 dengue patients have been reported so far this year. Last year the amount was one hundred thousand and 70. There were 400 deaths reported same period of last year. But the amount this year was 50. Consultant Dr. of the Dengue Prevention Unit Presila Samaraweera says that the public support and contribution for the dengue prevention is commendable. The dengue mosquito density in the schools and public places are still high. She said that awareness programmes are being conducted these days through public health inspectors. Measures have been taken to conduct mosquito prevention programmes in the schools and vicinity before the commencement of the GCE Ordinary Level examination.

Exporters say that, ample stocks of essential food items are available in the market.

The Association of Importers and Distributers of Essential Food Items says that ample stocks of essential food items are in the market at present. Media Spokesman of the association Hemaka Fernando says that prices have also slightly decreased. Wholesale price of a kilogram of Sugar is 94 rupees today. A kilogram of Dhal was available at 103 to 104 rupees. Prices of imported potatoes and big onions are also in a reasonable Range. He added that local rice stocks are being brought to the market. Mr. Fernando also says that traders have ordered enough stocks to cater to the demands of the upcoming festive season.

Several university lecturers also say that the sole solution for the prevailing political crisis in the country is the holding of a general election.

Senior lecturer of the political science and state Policy Studies Department of Colombo University Damma Dissanayake says the sole solution to the present political crisis prevailing in the country is the holding of a fresh election. Taking part over the Subarathi Programme at the SLBC this morning, both Attorney at Law Premanath C.Dolawatte and Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi also emphasized the need of a fresh election to allow the people to select a government as they wished.

The President seeks assistance from the fields of science and technology to resolve economic and development issues.

President Maithripala Sirisena says the government needs more assistance from the fields of science, technology and research to resolve the economic and development issues of the country. He made these remarks addressing the President’s Awards for Scientific Publication held in Colombo, today. The Awards Ceremony was organized by the National Research Council.

President Sirisena further said that he will take a policy decision regarding the necessity of increasing of the financial allocation from the budget for science, technology and research activities. The services provided by scientists, researchers, and technologists towards the current development of the country were appreciated by the President.

The President said that the cooperation of the experts is essential towards solving the economic issues emerged due to the climatic conditions as well as in the planning of the development projects.

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe says a select committee will be appointed for parliamentary affa

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe says that it was decided to appoint a select committee for parliamentary affairs during the discussions between the President and the party leaders. During a media briefing in Colombo today he said other committees should also be appointed by that select committee. Six parliamentarians including Ravi Karunanayake have presented a motion to the Parliament. Minister Samarasinghe said that he requested the Speaker to look into its constitutionality and legality before entering it in the Parliament order book.

Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the Speaker's action brought the three darkest days to the history of the Parliament. He requested the public servants to perform their duties without any fear.

Minister Johnston Fernando told SLBC that the Speaker acted against the constitution. He pointed out that the United National Party leader, saved his party leadership due to the actions of the Speaker.