Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe Has Given A Statement To FCID

The former defense secretary and former president Mahinda Rajapakshe's brother Gotabaya Rajapakshe has yesterday(11) given a statement to police financial crimes investgations division (FCID) regarding an allegation leveled against him.

The former defense secretary was given a statement to FCID regarding allegedly using of money belonging to a state institution to build D.A Rajapaksha memorial museaum.

"NEW GIRL AT SCHOOl"(1892) A POPULAR YESTERYEAR ARTWORK OF BRITISH-RUSSIAN ARTIST EMILY SHANKS (1857-1936)

NICE PAINTING

Around 2000 Acres Of Land Belonging To Mahamewna Asapuwa In,Halpe,Ella Area Had Been Destroyed Due To A Fire

Around 2000 acres of land attached to a mountain belonging to mahamewna asapuwa in halpe,ella area (in Badulla District) had been destroyed due to a sudden fire that occurred yesterday (10) according to reports.

The fire has been doused  completely at around 2 a.m today jointly by Badulla District Disaster Managment Unit along with fire brigades in badulla and bandarawela  urban councils,ella police ,Army and Air Force personal it has been reported.

Police believed that this fire has occurred as a result of a person setting fire in surrounding forest area of mahamewna asapuwa,

Around 35,000 Persons In Northern Province Have Been Unemployed- Labor Minister

Around 35,000 persons in Northern Province have been reported as unemployed at present according to Minister of Labor and Trade Union Relations W.D.J Seneviratne.

The latest statistics available has been revealed that the unemployment rate  in Northern Province is on the increase Minister Seneviratne has stressed.

Around 10,000 are being employed  at present in 3200 institutions situated in the province he has further added.

POPULAR YESTERYEAR SINHALA SONG SUNG BY NEELA WIKRAMASINGHE

VAT To Remain As 11% Until A Relevent Legislation Passed AT Parliament

As the supreme court issued an interim order to suspend the VAT (value added tax) increase VAT will remain as 11% until a relevent legislation is passed in the parliament the minister of finance Ravi Karunanayake has stated today (11).

Once the legislation passed at the parliament VAT will be increased by 4% from 11% to 15% the minister has revealed.

Earlier government has announced a VAT increase on certain goods and services by 4% with effect from 02nd of may this year.Due to this prices of most of the essential goods including food to cloths in the market had risen and caused various difficulties to  consumers.