Certain white-clad politicians are accused of being the kingpins of drug trafficking of yesteryears

Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara says that some of today's white-clad politicians had been the kingpins of drug trafficking of yesteryears. These same politicians had brought underworld figures to the fore. The Minister was speaking today at the Moneragala district phase of the 'Gam Peraliya' programme to renovate the Meedeniya bridge in Wellawaya. He also said law and order are important prerequisites for development. The Minster added that justice or freedom was non-existent and more than 15 journalists were murdered during the previous regime.

The importance highlighted of a clear-cut programme to build confidence in the OMP process

A Commissioner of the Missing Persons Office, Dr. Nimalka Fernando, stresses the importance of a clear-cut programme to build confidence of the parents of the missing persons in the OMP process. She was speaking to the SLBC on the sidelines of an awareness programme in Kilinochchi today. Dr. Fernando said humane solutions had to be given for the social requirements of the targeted segments of the OMP.

The President arrives in Rome to attend the 24th session of the Committee on Forestry

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The 'Gamperaliya Development Drive' is underway in the Nikaweratiya-Rasnayakapura Divisional Secretariat Zone in the Kurunegala District

The 'Gamperaliya Development Drive' that aims at empowering the rural masses, is underway under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe in the Nikaweratiya-Rasnayakapura Divisional Secretariat Zone in the Kurunegala District. Reconstruction work of the Kalukeitya-Bulathgama Tank is to take place. The cost estimated is 3.5 million rupees.

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A drop in the number of reported dengue patients, observed this year

Minister of Health: Dr Rajitha Senarathne says, the required medical equipment, clinical facilities, vehicles and office equipment have been adequately provided to necessary locations, for dengue prevention tasks.
Speaking to the Subharathee Discussion Progamme aired over the SLBC this morning the Minister points out, 26,000 dengue patients have been reported this year. Last year, 86,000 dengue patients were reported. In comparison with last year, a drop in the number of reported patients has been observed this year.

1,500 youths were recruited for dengue prevention campaigns, and they have been deployed on house to house visits to conduct inspections. The Minister praised the dedication of all those involved in dengue prevention activities, from the highest ranking officers to the labourers.

The Central Provincial Operational Committee of the Grama Shakthi Movement will meet in Kandy today

The Central Provincial Operational Committee of the Grama Shakthi People's Movement will meet at the Kandy President's House today under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. Political authorities of the province and top public official will also participate in this meeting. The Grama Shakthi People's Movement has been implemented in the Central Province to carryout livelihood development programmes for the people in Kandy, Mathale, and Nuwara Eliya districts. The first instalment to implement rural development projects in the three districts will also be distributed among the three district secretaries today.  The president will also leads the central provincial national alcohol and narcotic elimination programme to be held at the Gatambe grounds. He will make an inspection tour at the Kotaligoda manufacturing village as well.

South Asian Speakers’ Summit will be held in Colombo today and tomorrow

The Parliament of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union will hold the South Asian Speakers’ Summit on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Colombo today and tomorrow. The summit will follow up on the conclusions of the second Summit of Speakers in India and the first summit held in Bangladesh. It will aim to discuss how Parliaments can be a development actor promoting the effective implementation of the SDGs. The summit is intended for Speakers of Parliament from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The opening ceremony will take place at the Parliamentary premises today. The conference sessions will be held at Hotel Hilton, Colombo. The summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who will also deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya will deliver the welcome speech.

Death sentence for drug offenders who were found guilty by the court of law

The government has taken a decision to implement the death sentence for drug offenders who were found guilty by the court of law. This decision has been taken unanimously at the weekly meeting of Cabinet Ministers, the Minister of Buddhasasana Gamini Jayawickrama Perera revealed yesterday. Holding a media conference, the minister further said that the President has given instructions to Minister of Justice Thalatha Athukorala to take necessary steps to implement this decision.

World Population Day falls today

World Population Day falls today. The day, which seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, an outgrowth of the interest generated by the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987. The theme of this year is “Family Planning is a Human Right”. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1968 International Conference on Human Rights, where family planning was, for the first time, globally affirmed to be a human right.

The President says government solved many problems of the farming community during the past

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