President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday presented mementos and awards to artistes who contributed to make the
Kandy Esala Perahera a success, at a ceremony at President’s House in Kandy. Here, an artiste receives a memento from the President. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa were also present.
Picture by Sudath Silva

Sri Lanka tells world:

‘Deport all illegal migrants’

In the wake of rising numbers of illegal migrants who try to enter foreign countries as asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, the External Affairs Ministry called on foreign governments to “deport” illegal Sri Lankan asylum seekers. Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Thursday said,

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Country marching forward with new vigour -Defence Secretary

The future generations must be ready to exploit new employment opportunities unveiled before them after the dawn of peace, ending decades of turbulence, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said. The Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary was addressing the Viru Sisu Pradeepa ceremony.

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President issues directive:

PMB to purchase Yala paddy harvest

President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) to empty its warehouses and make arrangements to purchase the upcoming Yala paddy harvest from farmers. Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said the PMB has made arrangements to purchase the Yala paddy harvest,

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India to establish a Special Economic Zone here

India plans to establish a Special Economic Zone in Sri Lanka. It will be located near Trincomalee along with a Skills Development Institute and an Automobile and Engineering Zone, said Indian Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Anand Sharma. He was speaking at the inauguration of the India Show aimed at promoting Indo-Lanka trade and investment at the BMICH yesterday.

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