Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain and UNP Minister, – Arjuna Ranatunga had been spotted at the May Day rally organized by Palani Digambaram in Thalawakele.

The event was led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Following his appointment as President, Ranil Wickremesingh appointed Ranatunga as the Chairman of the National Sports Council.

However, he was later removed after Harin Fernando took up the role of Sports Minister.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has said that Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe will be the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at the upcoming election.

He said this while joining the commemoration ceremony of the late T.B. Ilangaratne.

Noting that Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has the majority support in the party, Mr. Sirisena further said, “I have previously served as President and pledged not to contest for the presidency again. Mr. Wijayadasa will run for the upcoming presidential election, and we will support him completely… We got a minister from the ruling party… He is aligned with us now. He doesn’t desire the ministerial position any longer.”

The Wages Board has issued a Gazette notification to increase the minimum daily wage of estate workers to Rs. 1700.

The minimum daily wage of workers engaged in the Tea, Rubber Growing and Raw rubber Manufacturing Trades are as follows :