President's Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, joined in the revered religious observances at the annual Esala Perahara festival of the historic Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya which took place August (18), where Mr. Ratnayake participated in religious rituals and sought blessings.

 Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held a meeting with Vietnam Vice President Tran Luu Quang on the sidelines of the 7th China – South Asia Expo in Kunming, Yunnan Province in China on August 16.

The Secretary General of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera said that the media reports being circulated that two pillows and a mattress were found in a Parliamentary Committee room are completely false.