Srilanka

The Pulathisi Inter City train service from Colombo Fort to Polonnaruwa commenced its first run yesterday. President Maithripala Sirisena joined this inaugural Pulathisi train and travelled from Fort to Maradana railway station. The Pulathisi Inter City train travels daily at 3.00 p.m. from Fort Station and reaches Polonnaruwa Railway Station at 7.45 p.m. The eturn journey stars at 3.45 a.m. and reaches Colombo Fort at 9.06 a.m. It stops at Kurunegala, mahawa, Kekirawa, Habarana and Hingurakgoda railway stations.

The Lotus Tower, South Asialargest tower measuring 350 metres, would be declared open on September 16 at 5.00 pm under the aegis of President Maithripala Sirisena.USD 104 million has been spent for construction of the tower and eighty per cent of the cost has been funded by the EXIM Bank of China.

Lanka IOC has revised prices of its auto fuels from today following a review of fuels by the government.The price of a litre of Octane 95 petrol was reduced by Rs. 2 (Rs.164) and Super Diesel by Rs. 2 (Rs.132). The price of a litre of Auto Diesel and Octane 92 remains unchanged.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he is seeking the peoplemandate for another five years to complete the undertakings of promoting Sri Lankan identity over ethnic and religious differences, providing a political solution to the national question and abolishing the Executive Presidency.He was speaking at an event at Temple Trees yesterday to recruit 1,200 individuals to a diploma programme on Language Training conducted by the National Institute of Language Education and Training (NILET).&Five years is hardly enough to create national integration in a country where divisions were deeply rooted for three decades.