The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) together with other tourism institutions under the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs will be organizing the ‘Tourism Fest with the spirit of Christmas’ from 19th to 23rd December 2015 at the Arcade, Independence Square. With the month of December being the peak month for tourist arrivals and festivities, the idea behind this is to portray Sri Lankan food, culture, gems, tea, shopping and entertainment at one venue.

President Maithripala Sirisena called on His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday (14).

Pope Francis expressed his happiness over the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him when he visited Sri Lanka last January and said that Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation with friendly people, the President's Media Unit reported.

As a result of the introduction of new procedures aimed at improving facilitation, the BOI succeeded in attracting a number of important projects in key sectors of investment.

Prevailing afternoon thundershowers will decrease today, the Met Dept. said.

However, thunder showers will develop at a few places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western and Western provinces after 4.00 p.m, the Dept. added. Also there may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

General public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.