Sri Lanka

Construction of the 37 km section of the Central Expressway from Kadawatha to Mirigama is currently underway with about 25 % of the work nearly done; the project is expected to be completed within the next two years

For a global tourism promotion programme aimed at attracting more visitors, the Finance Minister has agreed to provide US$56 million in the second quarter of this year; this year, over 150.000 tourists arrived

Three new seismic centers will be donated by China to the country, bringing to 7 the total number of seismic centers

The Ministry of Environment has hired 136 new environmental officers who will be assigned to the district secretariats to assist in the work carried out by the Ministry, the Central Environment Authority and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

The Saudi Development Fund completed the development of the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi road project in the country for which it had sanctioned a $60 million loan, as well as a $28 million loan for the Wayamba University Township development project

The air quality in Colombo city remains unhealthy and sensitive people are warned to be cautious, said senior scientist H.D Sarath Premasiri of the National Building Research Organisation

The largest natural blue corundum sapphire in the world has been found in the Batugedara area and belongs to the Gemological Institute and Research Private Limited, weighing about 310 kilograms (1.550.000 carats)

Despite glaring omissions at the player draft and last-minute franchise ownership changes, the Lanka Premier League begins today, with 20 matches scheduled in Colombo and Hambantota

The special dengue eradication program has ended yesterday: it aimed at preventing the situation from escalating to an epidemic phase in the context of increasing cases

Inter provincial bus and trains will enter service from today and ordinary and advanced level classes in all schools will commence on November 8 as from today all bans are lifted and new restrictions rules come into force