President Ranil Wickremesinghe will tour India on July 20 for talks with premier Narendra Modi and other top Indian political figures, political sources said.

Cabinet approval will be sought for a trial project on cannabis cultivation, said state minister Dilum Amunugama.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne has submitted a private members bill to amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, No 14 of 2002 to transfer the powers vested in the minister of finance to parliament.

Opposition lawmaker Harsha de Silva revealed in Parliament that around 7 million Sri Lankans currently live in poverty, shedding light on the alarming state of poverty in the country.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is ready to face any election at any point, said former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

China has thanked Sri Lanka for having deported a Chinese fugitive wanted over a narcotic crime.

Import restrictions have been relaxed on more than 300 items including electronic equipment, sanitary-ware and food, according to a gazette notification.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on June 08 to discuss the action plan for reconciliation.

The prices of mobile phones and appliances will be reduced as per the rupee’s appreciation against the US dollar, said the importers.

Police say more than 2,500 persons remain behind bars under the still effective PTA.