European Union (EU) election observers on Saturday called for more transparency in Sri Lanka’s electoral process.

Former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga on Friday (16) publicly acknowledged instructing former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, to appoint Anura Siriwardena as chairman of the Independent Television Network (ITN), replacing well-known media personality Rosmond Senaratne, in violation of procedure.

Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has appointed his brother, former cricketer Dammika Ranatunga, as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). Mr. Ranatunga, a younger sibling of the Minister, assumed duties on Thursday, SLPA sources said.

The Sri Lankan government will not make any complaint to the European Union (EU) about alleged poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, even as it has decided to increase the amount of penalty for violation of fisheries laws in international waters, according to Rajitha Senaratne, Cabinet spokesperson.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has been appointed as the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Group of 24 countries on International Monetary Affairs, which is scheduled to take place in Bali Nusa Dua, Indonesia, in October 2018.

Sigiriya Police arrested six persons for excavating the Sigiriya sanctuary. Police revealed that those persons were excavating to find a sword and jewellery of King Kashyapa.

The Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry into serious fraud has rejected the objections by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s lawyers and has decided to continue with its mandate.

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he felt proud when he saw President Maithripala Sirisena speaking in Sinhala at the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York early few weeks ago.

Three Customs officials were arrested yesterday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 125 million. According to Bribery Commission sources this is the largest ever recorded case of bribe taking, detected by them.

Deputy Minister of Highways and Investment Promotion, Eran Wickramaratne said if the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the Colombo Port City Project is satisfactory, the project will resume without any issue.

The Colombo High Court today acquitted Danuna Tilakaratne from the Hicorp fraud case.

Sri Lanka said on Wednesday it has hired two new executioners to replace the previous hangman, who quit soon after seeing the gallows for the first time, even though capital punishment has not been carried out there for almost 40 years.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), has summoned former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for questioning today.

Volkswagen’s plans to set up an assembly plant in Kuliyapitiya, Kurunegala will go ahead despite its controversy in Europe.

The Sri Lankan navy on Wednesday apprehended nine Tamil Nadu fishermen and their boat on charges of trespassing into the territorial waters of the island nation, marine police sources at Mandapam in India has said.

Gampola Vidanage Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda was sentenced to death by Colombo High Court today on charges of possessing of 7.05 grams of heroin in Mount Lavinia in 2008.