Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons Maxwell Paranagama has rejected the death toll during the final phase of the conflict cited in the United Nations panel report.

President Maithripala Sirisena said that the Government will take every possible step to eradicate the drugs menace by strengthening laws related to drug raids.

TULF General Secretary V. Anandasangaree said as far as the Tamil United Liberation Front is concerned, in the first instance the TULF will opt to choose the Hybrid special court to probe the alleged war crimes.

Notorious drug dealer Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda has paid million of rupees in the form of bribes to 174 people using electronic fund transfer methods – ‘eZ Cash’ via mobile phones.

Sri Lankan shares slipped for a fifth straight session on Monday and closed at their lowest in more than two months amid concerns that a weak rupee would hurt corporate earnings.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary and MP Udaya Gammanpila today criticised the move by India to create a bridge connecting Sri Lanka and charged the link would only work in favour of India ultimately making Sri Lanka another State of India.

The new Sri Lankan government has “a very strong intent” in addressing rights concerns, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal said, calling for a “credible domestic” probe with “substantial involvement” from the international community to address justice and accountability.

Media spokesperson of the United National Party (UNP), Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that despite various criticisms levelled by some groups, the new government does not provide protection or immunity to criminals and anybody who are involved in corruption.

Democratic Party founder and former SLA Commander Sarath Fonseka on Saturday, offered himself to face a domestic court of law on allegations against military operations during the Eelam War.

Two persons have been arrested in connection to the death of the Kotadeniyawa child, Seya Sadewmi.

The United National Front Government yesterday set the record straight over the final report of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), released earlier this week, saying the heavily toned down document and recommended measures were a “major victory” for Sri Lanka though challenges remain to be addressed.

The gazette allocating Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers their respective subjects, ministries and institutes is yet to be issued, despite it being over two weeks since the majority of Cabinet Ministers were sworn in.

President Maithripala Sirisena said today the Death Penalty would be introduced from next year with the approval of Parliament.

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday alleged that the Maithripala Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition would make an attempt to bring in far reaching changes to the country’s legal framework to pave the way for a hybrid special court to try to hear war crime accusations.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said that the disscussions on setting up of a domestic mechanism to investigate allegations of human rights violations will be finalised by January 2016.