The pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa faction in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is seeking nomination even for its members currently in custody, a spokesman said yesterday.

Democratic Party leader, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says he will contest the next Parliament elections.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday revealed that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal had hidden Rs. 2.7 trillion worth of Treasury Bonds for the benefit of their cronies.

Leader of the Opposition Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday that Ranil Wickremesinghe became the Prime Minister due to the benevolence of President Maithripala Sirisena as it is impossible for a party that does not command the majority support in Parliament to appoint its leader as the Prime Minister.

The Attorney General yesterday stalled the arrest of Parliamentarian Tiran Alles after the Supreme Court noticed the Police on the strength of a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Parliamentarian.

SLFP Parliamentarians Dilan Perera, C.B. Rathnayake, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Pavithra Wanniarachchi have resigned from their respective ministerial portfolios.

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said he was in talks with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to remove the last paragraph of the gazette notification pertaining to the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division.

Jaffna residents protested opposite the Jaffna Courts complex yesterday (20) demanding the death sentence for all those responsible for the rape and murder of 18-year-old Sivaloganaadan Vithiya, a student of the Jaffna Kayts Punkuduthivu Maha Vidyalaya.

President Maithripala Sirisena while acknowledging the process of ongoing re-settlements of Muslims in Wilpattu National Park is problematic, assured immediate actions will be taken to prevent further destruction to the forest.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has arrived at the FCID on Tuesday (20) morning. Rajapaksa has been asked to visit the FCID for questioning regarding the controversial MiG deal and a share issuance by Lanka Hospitals.

President Maithripala Sirisena says that a new Parliament will be established by September.

Colombo National Hospital Deputy Director Dr. Cyril de Silva yesterday confirmed that former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was taken to the Cardiology Unit for several tests on Monday.