Import of Ethanol for the manufacture of liquor has been banned on the orders of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Ministry of Finance, economic and policy development Ministry said today.

Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed Railway Department officials to launch the pilot programme for converting all railway stations under the Green (Haritha) concept beginning from the Dematagoda Railway station on January 1.

Leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe recalls that in 2015 he took over a depleted social, economic and political nation and transformed it into a socially, politically and economically prosperous country.

The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health has recorded 99,120 dengue fever cases in 2019, nearly double the 51,659 cases seen in 2018.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said inefficiency in the public service will end during his tenure of office.

The UNP says that TNA leader R.Sampanthan was given an official house and two vehicles, in his capacity as Opposition and leader of the majority of Tamils.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his New Year message said the the most valuable resource in the new decade will be the drive and motivation among young people to take an active part in developing the country.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his New Year message said the new government is determined to make 2020 the ‘Year of Prosperity’.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to limit the complete medical examination when obtaining a Driver’s License for light vehicles to only the eye exam.

A 24-year-old suspect has been arrested for being in possession of 1.3 kilograms of heroin in Vavuniya.

Former Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Dr. Rumy Mohamed who is accused of helping to stage the controversial ‘white van abduction’ media briefing has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), issuing a New Year message, said that Sri Lanka will step into 2020 facing a spate of challenges on the social, political and economic fronts compared to recent years.

Four air force personnel have died after the three-wheeler they were travelling in collided with a truck on Kandy-Colombo main road at around 4.00 a.m. this morning.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has paid his attention to bring gathering of all personal information such as National Identity Cards, driving licenses, immigration and emigration documents, registration of births and deaths under one data collection center.

The National Transport Commission has requested passengers to call the hotline 1955 to lodge complaints pertaining to private buses playing loud music and videos from the 1st of January.

Former Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, who was remanded over controversial press conference on ‘white van’, was granted bail by the Colombo magistrate’s court a short while ago.