Water ,Electricity And Telecommunication Rates Will Not Be Increased-Finance Minister

The essential utilities including Water,Electricity and Telecommunication Rates will not be increased due to the amended Value Added Tax(VAT) System introduced through  2016-Annual Budget Proposals presented to the Parliament on last Friday according to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake.

The VAT from Wholesale and Retail Trade has been totally free and it reduced by 11% to 0% Minister has stressed.

Earlier there were rumors that Water and Electricity Rates may  goes up due to the amended VAT System introduced through the budget.

SINHALA QUOTE FROM THE WEB

Around Nine Persons In Sri Lanka Are Being Infected With HIV/AIDS Virus Per Week -Director Of National STD/AIDS Control Programme

Around Nine Persons in Sri Lanka are being  infected with HIV/AIDS Virus per week and Four new HIV Positive Cases are being reported  per week according to the Director Of National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)/AIDS Campaign Dr.Sisira Liyanage.

Although Sri Lanka has been rated as a low prevalence country in the world on spreading HIV/AIDS there's a great risk of spreading the disease  rapidly in  the local society due to the increasing  number of unprotected sexual behaviors   Dr.Liyanage has stressed.

Around 69% of the HIV/AIDS Positives reported from Sri Lanka Annually have been contacted the virus through  heterosexual relationships he has said.However the HIV Infection amongst Male to Male sexual contacts are on the increase Dr.Liyanage has further said.

As this year's World AIDS Day theme is "Test Today" Dr.Liyanage has requested from those who are having  unprotected sexual  behavior to go for a test immediately  to check whether they are infected with HIV/AIDS Virus or not.

This year's World AIDS DAY which falls on 01st Of December is due to be commemorated in Batticloe (Eastern Province)by  Ministry Of Health ,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine along with National STD/AIDS Campaign.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

An Island Wide Strike Launched By Railway Station Masters And Controllers Has Been Called Off

The Island Wide Strike Action launched by Railway Station Masters and Controllers  this noon  has been  called off shortly afterwards after the discussions with authorities.

The Station Masters and Controllers have launched the strike after an Engine Driver has changed an Engine of a Train at Peradeniya Railway Station without their permission.

Prime Minister Has Assured There Will Be No Foreign Naval Base In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanakan Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinhe has said today(25) Sri Lanka will not allow other  foreign country to setup  Naval Bases in it's territory.

"There would be no   Foreign Naval Bases within Sri Lanka "Prime Minister has stressed.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister has made these remarks as there are rumors stating China is planning to   setting  up a Naval Base in Sri Lanka.

"STILL LIFE WITH FLAG" (1954) A FAMOUS FRUIT PAINTING OF YESTERYEAR MEXICAN FEMALE ARTIST FRIDA KHALO(1907-1954)

THIS OIL PAINTING WAS DONE BY YESTERYEAR MEXICAN FEMALE ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO WHO WAS AN  INTERNATIONALLY POPULAR ARTIST .HER PAINTINGS WERE INFLUENCED BY INGENIOUS CULTURES IN MEXICO AND EUROPEAN INFLUENCES INCLUDING REALISM,SURREALISM ANS SYMBOLISM .