The people of Sri Lanka need an abundance of love which is at the core of Christianity that will build new bridges of tolerance and understanding, to rebuild the shattered lives of our people who have suffered through three decades of terror and restore our land to one of peace and harmony, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Christmas message.

The birth of Jesus Christ in a stable at Bethlehem is symbolic of the love that should transcend all barriers and extend to all, from the humblest of people, to all other beings that share our land, and to nature that sustains us all, the President further stated.

Three framework agreements amounting to US$ 410 million were signed between Secretary to the Treasury P.B. Jayasundera and the Vice Minister of Commerce of China Chen Jian on 23^rd December 2009, under which the Chinese government will provide concessional funding for several projects in Sri Lanka, including the second international airport at Matala.   

The framework agreements were signed during a 3 day official visit to China undertaken by the Secretary to the Treasury.

Provision of facilities for internally displaced persons to cast their votes at a different polling station 

Section 119B of Act No. 15 of 1981 for the election of the President 

Internally displaced persons who are scared to go to his or her polling station in view of the prevailing security situation in the area can request to make arrangements to enable him or her to cast his or her vote at another polling station. Since a considerable number of applications have not been received so far for this facility in response to the provisions made available it has been decided to extend the date of receiving applications till 24.12.2009.

BRUSSELS (AFP) – The European Commission on Wednesday granted more aid for tens of thousands of people who fled fighting between Sri Lankan forces and Tamil fighters, voicing concern for their lack of protection. 

The commission is "concerned by the lack of protection for the internally displaced, especially for female-headed households and single women returning alone to their villages as well as for the disabled", said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Karel De Gucht, announcing six million euros (8.7 million dollars) of fresh aid.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The World Bank has announced a 182-million-dollar loan to help Sri Lanka assist refugees and rebuild Tamil majority provinces that were ravaged by nearly 40 years of civil war that ended earlier this year.

One loan package for 105 million dollars will go to rebuild major roads linking north and east Sri Lanka, the bank said in a statement.

As a part of the continuing efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to provide clarifications on the alleged cases of disappearances submitted by the UN Working Group on Disappearances, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights has now provided an analysis of 47 possible cases of disappearances, which can be closed/clarified by the Working Group. The details of these cases have been forwarded to the UN Working Group by the Permanent Mission in Geneva.  

The Government of Sri Lanka opened its second Consulate office in China, in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, on 15^th December 2009. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hussein Bhaila and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China Karunathilleka Amunugma represented Sri Lanka at the opening ceremony while the Sichuan province was represented by Executive Vice Governor Wei Hong.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is currently in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to participate in the 12^th Session of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Ministerial Meeting had bilateral consultations with the Foreign Ministers of Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand.

The celebration of Human Rights Day in Sri Lanka this year is of special significance as it takes place when the entire country is liberated from the clutches of terrorism and all Sri Lankans enjoy the freedoms they were denied for a very long time, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a message to mark the World Human Rights Day. 

"The defeat of terrorism and the expansion of freedom in the country demonstrate the commitment of my Government to extend the freedoms of democracy and respect for human rights to all parts of the country," the President said.