Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the arrest of an army corporal who allegedly brought a firearm to a meeting attended by the President, is the latest episode in a campaign of persecution directed at him and all those associated with him.

Sri Lankans are waiting with bated breath for the outcome of crucial talks between President Maithripala Sirisena and his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, scheduled for Wednesday.

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Johnston Fernando was arrested a short while ago by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Unit (FCID).

Former Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa who was remanded till today (5) has been brought to the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court, a short while ago.

An airman attached to the Ratmalana Air Force Base, who was engaged in patrolling duties, has died due to gun shot injuries, SLAF Spokesperson Wing Commander Gihan Seneviratne said.

President Maithripala Sirisena is planning to take an inspection tour to Central Bank of Sri Lanka this morning. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is also expected to join President Sirisena on this inspection tour which is scheduled for 11.30 a.m. this morning.

Former Minister and UPFA Parliamentarian Johnston Fernando is to be produced before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court over alleged misappropriations at Sathosa that took place under his watch.

Minister of Labour S.B. Nawinna announced that he has proposed to increase the wages of private sector employees from May 01.

Talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday was mainly based on four major issues, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said.

The soldier who had allegedly had a weapon to the President’s meeting last month had been remanded till May 12, the Police said.

Let us fill our lives with morals, loving kindness and wisdom in this month of Vesak where the entire environment looks fresh and serene to celebrate thrice blessed day for Buddhists as it commemorates the birth of Buddha, his attaining Enlightenment and his passing away into Nirvana.

It is with the much tranquility of devotion that I send this message on the occasion of the Triple Festival of Vesak, which comes with the Buddha’s message of compassion to all beings, President Maithripala Sirisena stated in a message to mark Vesak.

Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday championed the new Sri Lankan government’s push for democratic reform and promised closer ties with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation.

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago. It is the first time in a decade that a US secretary of state has visited Sri Lanka.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve parliament soon and give another chance for the people to elect suitable parliamentarians, while requesting the president not to listen to those who opposed him earlier including present Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala.

Five Dutch nationals of Sri Lankan origin have been jailed for between 19 months and six years three months for raising money for the Tamil Tigers (LTTE), Dutch News reported yesterday.