News

Indian Finance minister commences visit to SL today

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2023

editor

Indian Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs – Nirmala Sitharaman, will be embarking on an official 3-day visit to Sri Lanka from today (Nov. 01).

During the visit, Ms. Sitharaman give the Keynote Address as the Guest of Honour at the ‘NAAM 200’organised by Government of Sri Lanka to commemorate the 200th anniversary of arrival of India-origin Tamils (IOTs) to Sri Lanka, on Nov. 02, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.

She will also deliver the keynote address at the India Sri Lanka Business Summit on the theme ‘Enhancing Connectivity: Partnering for Prosperity’, being jointly organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, on Nov. 02, at Hotel Taj Samudra in Colombo.

As part of the official visit, the Union Finance Minister will have call-on meetings with Sri Lankan President – Ranil Wickremesinghe and PM Dinesh Gunawardena.

She will also witness the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding for Solar Electrification of Religious Places in Sri Lanka wherein India will allocate INR 82.40 crores out of the GOI grant assistance of INR 107.47 crores earmarked for the promotion of Buddhist ties.

Ms. Sitharaman will also inaugurate SBI Branches at Trincomalee and Jaffna on Nov. 02 and Nov. 03 respectively.

She will also visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna during the course of her visit to Sri Lanka.

Besides the above engagements, the Union Finance Minister is also slated to visit Lanka IOC Oil Tank Farms, Jaffna Cultural Centre and Jaffna Public Library during her visit.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.