1. Ruins of a Cheitiya of the Anuradhapura era discovered in the Sampur area by an Archeological Department Team a few days ago, bull-dozed to the ground by an unknown group on 18th December
2. Nominations for Local Government elections close today
3. SLPP challenges the rejection of its Nomination list for the Local Government elections, by filing petition in the Court of Appeal
4. Cabinet decides to award the construction of the first phase of the Ruwan Expressway to 4 Chinese Contractors
5. Quantity of Tea exported in first 11 months of 2017 is the lowest since 2000 although earnings at USD 1.4 billion is high due to better prices
6. Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya who is a very close confidant of President Sirisena, calls on SLFP candidates to use pictures of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in their campaign posters and propaganda materials: Woman who attempted to travel to the Middle East on another’s passport, arrested and remanded
7. Responding to criticism that drug prices are rising, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne says that his detractors had forgotten the time when a Paracetamol tablet which should have been sold at Rs.1 was marketed at Rs.1.30
8. Plantations Minister Naveen Dissanayake finally admits that the Asbestos ban imposed by Sri Lanka on Russia last year, to be effective from 2018, is linked to the sudden Tea ban imposed by Russia on Sri Lanka: Kenya sees opportunity and is expected to seize it
9. MP Nimal Lansa who resigned as a Deputy Minister a few days ago, says that he had 53 messages of good wishes when he became a Deputy Minister, but is receiving thousands of messages of good wishes since he resigned
10. Megapolis Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka says, “if you see any cattle (හරක්) roaming about Colombo, call 1917”
Have a “1917” Thursday
