Srilanka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that he is supportive of devolution while protecting the sovereignty and unity of Sri Lanka. He also said the country needs a new constitution.He was responding to queries on the UNPand his stand on a political solution and how the country should move forward with it, speaking at a gathering in Jaffna yesterday. &What is really needed now is a political solution. I am for the sovereignty and unity of Sri Lanka, but I also believe that the Tamils in the country must be able to live with equality, dignity and respect and be also to make their own decisions within the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The UNP and myself as the leader of UNP, are committed to ensuring respect and dignity for the Tamils within a political system which builds on the principles of devolution as contained in the report now before the Constitutional Assembly,& he said.

President Maithripala Sirisena requested everyone to refrain from making statements which are detrimental to the national security of the country. He made these remarks participating in a ceremony to present ‘Rana Parashuwa& and the ‘Regimental Rana Purashuwa& to the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces marking the presentation of the Presidentand Regimental Colours, yesterday (16).Addressing the gathering President further said that no one should make statements that would endanger the future of the Motherland as well as the nation to achieve narrow political gains.

President MaithripalaSirisena said it is his aspiration to create an environment where all government officials including Police officers to work in a contented manner.President made these comments at the ceremony to declare open the bachelor quarters constructed in order to increase welfare facilities of the Police officers in Maradana yesterday (16).

Sri Lanka Standards Institution and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority have jointly taken measures to introduce an Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme for Ceiling Fans based on SLS 1600 Energy Efficiency Rating for Electric Ceiling Fans with Regulators.An awareness workshop on this Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme was held yesterday at the BMICH with the participation of manufactures and importers of Electric Ceiling Fans.