Austrian President Heinz Fischer and President Maithripala Sirisena agreed to increase the cooperation in the economic development between the two countries as friendly nations. The two leaders came into this agreement when they held an official discussion at the President's Office of Austria yesterday. President Sirisena who arrived at the President's Office of Austria was welcomed by President Fischer. A Guard of Honour was held to welcome President Sirisena, who is on a two day state visit to Austria. After the Guard of Honour, two national anthems were played.

Subsequently, the two leaders started bilateral discussions. The discussion was focused on expanding of the friendly relations of the two countries. "The new government of Sri Lanka is now carrying out the programme to build the coexistence and reconciliation in the country by fulfilling the responsibilities of a post-war period, after ending the 26 years long terrorism in Sri Lanka," President Sirisena said. He added that Sri Lanka is expecting the assistance of every friendly country to re-build the fallen economy of Sri Lanka due to terrorist activities.

The aim of the new government is to uplift the living standards of the people while developing the economy of this country, the President said, adding that the government has already initiated programmes to develop the infrastructure facilities in the country to promote the manufacturing sector of the country to find solutions for the problem of unemployment among the youth. The Austrian President pledged to provide every possible assistance to Sri Lanka to get the EU ban on fish exports lifted as well as to get the GSP plus facility.

President Sirisena requested the Austrian President to provide assistance to promote the tourism industry of Sri Lanka. The Austrian President expressed his consent regarding this. The Austrian President commended the government's commitment in protecting Theravada Buddhism and said that Sri Lanka can be named as a country, which strongly practices the Theravada Buddhism. Following the bilateral discussions, both leaders held a joint press conference.

Addressing the joint press conference, leaders of both countries stated that their hope is to further enhance the existing bilateral ties between the two countries. President Maithripala Sirisena thanked for the warm hospitality accorded to him by the government of Austria.

The government will conduct fresh probes into the scams involved in the import of a stock of biofertilizer from China and in the introduction of organic farming during the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a minister said yesterday.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today that the people will know whether the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MPs had sought assistance from the President’s Fund as claimed by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara when the rest of the list is released soon.

The circular issued by the Western Province Education Zonal Ministry prohibiting private tutoring classes for students by school teachers, along with the letter issued by the Education Ministry regarding modulators, has been withdrawn, Parliamentarian Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

Adding further controversy to the misuse of the President’s Fund, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said some of JVP members also sought assistance from the President’s funds prior to 2010.

In response to queries about the potential introduction of new taxes on imported vehicles, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayathissa said today that the Finance Ministry will make an official announcement regarding taxes in the future.

In response to widespread concerns regarding the alleged presence of Israeli soldier Gal Ferenbook in Colombo, police said that they have not received any verified information on the matter.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to add one of its overhauled and upgraded Kfir multirole combat aircraft to its fleet within the first three months of next year, the Daily Mirror learns.

The tri-forces security provided to former Presidents will be removed from today as announced by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala. The Defence Ministry said instructions regarding the matter have been issued to the Commanders of the tri-forces. The Defence Ministry said only police security will be assigned for the security of former Presidents.

The Ministry of Education announced that the second stage of the third term for the 2024 academic year in all government and government-approved private schools will commence on January 2, 2025. The term is set to run for three weeks, concluding on January 24, 2025.

A female student and another woman were killed after being struck by an express train at the Anuradhapura New Town Railway Station. The victims were part of a group from Ratnapura attending a taekwondo tournament at the Anuradhapura Public Ground.