Sinister plan on polls eve

There was a move to rob or buy National Identity Cards of voters on January 24 or 25 to prevent voters exercising their franchise. We have informed the Elections Commissioner and the Inspector General of Police to take action to deploy mobile police patrols to prevent miscreants resorting to the same tactics adopted by subversive elements during the spate of violence in 1988-90 period, UPFA General Secretary and Education Minister Susil Premajayanth said yesterday.

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Pay hike for private sector employees as well

The Commissioner General of Labour has been ordered to implement in all the Wages Boards of the private sector a salary increase with immediate effect parallel to the Rs. 2,500 granted to the State sector, on a special directive by Labour Relations and Manpower Minister Athauda Seneviratne.

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Jaya Pirith for President

Nation ever grateful to President - Prelate:

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday obtained the blessings of the Maha Sangha in Anuradhapura at the Jayasri Maha Bodhi. The Maha Sangha chanted Jaya Pirith for the victory of the President at the Presidential Elections. One thousand five hundred bhikkus headed by Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thera, Ruwanweli Chethiyaramadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera and Ven. Nugethenne Pagnanandha Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent of Anuradhapura Jayanthi temple participated.

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President invites all :

Come with me on a new journey

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday invited all to set aside petty differences and embark on a new journey with him (after obtaining a second successive mandate from the people on January 27), to lead Sri Lanka towards a brighter future. “The people don’t desire differences, hate politics, separatism.

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Boost for local handicraftsmen:

Village for local artisans in Pelawatte

The exclusive handicraft village set up by the National Craft Council at an investment of Rs. eight million was handed over to handicraftsmen at a ceremony held at the handicraft complex in Pelawatte, Battaramulla yesterday. The country is well poised to become an economic hub and is the safest country in the region. This would provide an impetus for the tourism industry to grow and steps are needed to meet the demand for the infrastructure facilities, Tourism Minister Achala Jagoda said.

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