COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister Shehan Semasinghe has been appointed as the Acting Minister of Finance.

He has been appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to perform the duties of the Finance Minister until the President returns to Sri Lanka.

The President left on a four-day state visit to Germany, and is expected to attend the Berlin Global Dialogue.

• President wants new approach to promote tourism; Refers to Anuradhapura Era tourism promotion
• Rescuers break through to 41 workers trapped in tunnel for 16 days in Indian state of Uttarakhand
• SLRC & SLBC will become a ‘public company’ due to continuous losses
• Japan extends Rs. 238 Mn to demining projects
• Delaying elections sets a bad precedent – PAFFREL