Sri Lanka and Pakistan are expected to sign 10 pacts during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visit to Colombo next month.

Christmas is celebrated by Christians in Sri Lanka (Catholic as well as other denominations) to mark the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem many centuries ago. Along with millions of Christians worldwide, those in Sri Lanka enter the month of December with anticipation and excitement, looking forward to this festival which brings together families and friends in an environment of good cheer.

Western province chief minister Isura Devapriya says he will next week take over the health ministry and all subjects coming under it, which are under Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe following defeat at the PC’s budget vote.

A majority of the WPC members has made a written request to him to take charge of the ministry, said Devapriya.

Health, indigenous medicine, social welfare, probation and childcare, and women’s affairs are coming under Warnasinghe.

The CM said he will take oaths in the ministry before the governor, in order to continue with its activities, including the payment of salaries of employees of institutions coming under the ministry.

The defeat of the health ministry vote was due to the weaknesses of Warnasinghe, Devapriya charged, adding that he has no ability or experience whatsoever in administration.

Warnasinghe is incapable of working in cooperation with the councilors, even from his own party.

CM blamed

Meanwhile, Warnasinghe said the CM should take full responsibility for the defeat.

The defeat at the vote was 45-23, with only the UNP members supporting the ministry votes, while member of Warnasinghe’s own party JHU, Ven. Thebuwana Piyananda, opposed.

The CM left the meeting as the vote was about to take place.

Warnasinghe was elected to the WPC from Kalutara on the UPFA ticket, and at the general election, he contested unsuccessfully from the UNP.

After several WPC members got elected to parliament, the president appointed Warnasinghe to the ministerial position.

Sri Lanka is sticking with a close relationship with China even as the island-nation attempts to "reinterpret" its extensive and sometimes poorly managed deals with the mainland, Ravi Karunanayake, Sri Lanka's Finance Minister, told CNBC.

The star Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is to invest in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Finance announced yesterday (23).