Apr 30 (AD) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith calls upon all Catholics to actively participate in the commemoration of the thrice blessed day of Vesak along with the Buddhists. The Archbishop of Colombo made this statement while commenting on the Vesak day commemoration. “It is a blessing to be born in a land like Sri Lanka which has a common heritage. Buddhism has become the shadow of everybody who worships different religions in Sri Lanka" he added. more..

Apr 30 (DN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday promised further reforms to the UNP structure. The UNP leader in a statement said a policy decision has been made to implement recommendations of the Ruwan Wijewardene Committee and also to amend the party constitution accordingly. PM said Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa would be given more responsibilities, while Subject Secretaries more..

Apr 30 (CT) Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) say they will conduct 24-hour inspections on dansalas during the Vesak season. Secretary of the Public Health Inspectors Union, M. Balasuriya said that thousands of PHIs countrywide would conduct investigations on the condition of food in dansalas today (30). According to Balasuriya around 2,625 Dansalas were registered and many will be open today. However, he added, that some had been held yesterday and a few would be held tomorrow. more..

Apr 30 (DM) A special traffic plan is in effect within the Colombo City limits from today until May 02, to ease the traffic congestion due to the Vesak Zones, SP Ruwan Gunasekera said. Vehicular movement in Slave Island, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Sri Utharananda Mawatha, Braybrooke Street, Dawson Street and Wijeyarama Mawatha would be restricted after 7 p.m. during the period. Mentioned roads would also be completely closed or temporary converted to one way considering traffic flow. more..

Apr 30 (PTI) The new Cabinet of SL's unity govt will be sworn in on Tuesday, President Sirisena announced yesterday, weeks after he had suspended Parliament in the backdrop of the ongoing political turmoil in the country. The unity govt of SLFP & UNP was thrown into a crisis after former president Rajapaksa's new party pulled off a stunning victory in February's local elections seen as a referendum on the ruling alliance. more..