The Government has taken steps to provide free passports to Lankan refugees living in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to assist them to repatriate with minimum costs. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Minister of Defence, In charge of Immigration and emigration has authorized to waive the Rs.4,400 fee to obtain a Sri [...]

The Samurdhi scheme has been introduced in the Kilinochchi District. As a first phase, 30 percent of the people would be provided with Samurdhi assistance on a priority basis. The Samurdhi Banks would be temporarily functioning in Pachilapalli, Pooneryn, Kandavalai and Karaichchi area, located within the Assistant Government Agent Divisions. This arrangement follows a consultation [...]

Over 250,000 fishermen will be brought under the pension and insurance schemes launched by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development. According to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dr.Rajitha Senaratne, the insurance scheme introduced in July last year will be made compulsory from April 1 this year. The scheme covers benefits [...]

Another year has just passed and while we look back to celebrate our triumphs, let us also recall the events that have united us as a people, extending our charity and our compassion to the less fortunate. In light of the devastation that has displaced thousands of our countrymen in the Visayas and Mindanao, let [...]

Condé Nast Traveller has nominated Sri Lanka as one of the top five destinations to watch in year 2012. One of the world’s leading travel magazine published in Britain predicts that Sri Lanka will be among the hottest new holiday destinations this year. Unveiling the list of destinations the magazine says, “One of the great [...]

The latest reforms to modernise the management of wildlife in Scotland come into force today.The second commencement order of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 introduces a new offence of vicarious liability in relation to the persecution of wild birds. This offence allows for the prosecution of those minority of landowners or managers [...]

Actions are afoot to construct 2500 houses in Anuradhapura ahead of “Deyata Kirula” exhibition and these houses would be provided for the war affected people of Bathavia, Keppithikollava, Heravapothana, Vilashia and Thanthirimale. According to sources, the constructed houses would be provided for all the families in the Oyamaduva area in Anuradhpuram and a scheme to [...]

Regional autonomy was a slogan used by the terrorists and their apologists. The need is for strong unity in diversity, for which regional autonomy is not the only way. A better approach would be equality of opportunity, and the spread of democratic freedom and rights, together with speedy economic development of the north, in tandem [...]

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today welcomed an increase in the number of participating solicitors in the police station duty scheme operated by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB).Mr MacAskill was briefed on the rising number when he met staff at SLAB and the team operating the Solicitor Contact Line.The contact line is part of the [...]

Prime Minister Every year we work so hard getting ready for Christmas that the day can be over almost before we know it. And then if you were up late at a church service, or up early opening presents, it can be one of the sleepiest afternoons of the year. So it’s always worth stopping [...]