The government was deliberately delaying the implementation of the development projects proposed by the UPFA government so that it could later claim that the projects were its own, alleged former president Mahinda Rajapaksa today. Addressing a group of journalists at Weerawila, he said the government was attempting to claim the ownership of such development projects but that the people knew who was really responsible for them.

He was referring to a visit to Hambantota by the Prime Minister to inspect the work begun on an industrial park by a Chinese firm. "This is something we proposed but could not launch it because of the government change. The government keeps delaying this and other projects and then launches them thinking the people have forgotten whose projects they were," he said. Mr. Rajapaksa also said that though the government criticised the Hambantota Port and Airport, both proved to be essential today." It takes time for such big projects to generate income," he said.

In a bid to address the salt shortage, chairman of National Salt Limited Gayan Wellala said plans are underway to fully activate the saltern including one in Elephant Pass in the north by March, this year to increase production of salt in the country

The deadline for importing rice ended at midnight yesterday, with a total of 167,000 MT of rice imported to Sri Lanka since the government allowed the imports. The Sri Lanka Customs reported that this includes 66,000 MT of Red Raw Rice and 101,000 MT of Parboiled Rice.

The traders in several areas of the upcountry yesterday demonstrated demanding the supply of adequate stocks of Nadu and Red rice varieties in view of the Thai Pongal festive season. A number of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim traders from Agarapathana, Manrasi and Dayagama in the Nuwara-Eliya District participated.

While issuing a special gazette notification, the government announced an excise duty percentage on all vehicles imported starting in February, following the resumption of vehicle imports after a five-year suspension.

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, has been arrested. Police said that he was arrested in connection with an incident involving the assault of a neighbor. He was arrested by the Mirihana Police and is scheduled to be produced in court.

The attempts to import red rice from India failed as red rice was not available in India, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

The results of the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination are expected to be released between February 10 and 12, Examinations Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara said. He said the evaluation of answer scripts began on Wednesday (8) at 64 centers.

High Court Judge Ranga Srinath Abeywickrema Dissanayake has been appointed as the new Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, effective today, by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Mr. Santosh Jha, called on the Speaker of the Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliamentary premises on Jan. 06). The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera also participated in the meeting.

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung met with Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MPs on January 8 to discuss U.S. support for Sri Lanka in areas such as accountability, justice, reconciliation, and economic development. The ambassador reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting initiatives for lasting prosperity and inclusivity in Sri Lanka.