The Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Stef Block said that Sri Lanka’s ability to uphold free and fair election amidst various challenges has been commended by the number of democratic countries in the world.

The National Policy on Pre-School prepared by the National Education Commission will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers next week, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

The Jaffna International Airport was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena in Palaly today (17).Prime Minister Ranil Wickresminghe, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Arjuna Ranatunga along with other dignitaries graced the inaugural event. Sri Lankan transport minister Arjuna Ranatunga said the airport built with Indian assistance marks an important development for the region as well as whole of Sri Lanka.Marking inauguration of Jaffna International Airport, Alliance Air (the subsidiary of Air India) launched a flight to the airport with invitees from the aviation industry on Thursday. Jaffna will be the airline’s 55th and first international addition to the list.

The runway length has been extended from 950 to 1,400 metres to facilitate ATR 72 aircraft carrying 70 passengers. Formerly known as Palaly Airport and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Palaly, the airport has a history tracing back to Second World War wherein it was built by the Royal Air Force of Britain and served as the country’s second international airport before being taken over by the Sri Lanka Air Force.Under phase 2, the runway length will be extended up to 2300 metres allowing for bigger aircrafts. The decision to develop the Jaffna Airport to operate regional commercial flights was taken on August 6.

The Cabinet memorandum in this regard was submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to develop the airport to operate commercial flights and to promote tourism. Sri Lankan government is also planning to develop Batticalao airport in eastern province to improve connectivity.

Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya says all state and private media institutions should act impartially during the presidential election.

The 30th Anniversary celebration of the Lanka Education and Research Network (LEARN) was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo,yesterday (07).

The President says that the brave soldiers have been able to overcome all hostilities against Motherland at all the times.

As per the recommendation of the Special Commission on reviewing salaries of the public sector appointed by the President,

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that building a productive young generation,equipped with knowledge, skills and high quality values is the need of the hour.The President in a message on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day, which falls today said that the government and the elders should commit to create a better society for the children and ensure a secure and friendly environment for them.

“It is the responsibility of a government and the elders to totally commit to creating a better society for the children and ensure a secure and friendly environment for them,” he said

The government of People’s Republic of China has donated several equipment including drugs and explosive detector worth Rs. 750 million to Sri Lanka. The Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan officially handed the equipment to President Maithripala Sirisena at President’s Office today (27).

Our undergraduates have to struggle find suitable employment opportunities due to our education system which lacks science and technology, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

The Election Commission has announced the dates for the postal voting of the Presidential Election 2019. Accordingly, the postal voting election will be held on the 30th and 31st of October.