With SLFP joining with the UNP to form a national government, a fresh struggle is looming in Parliament for the post of the Opposition Leader.

Chairman of the Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha Manoj Pushpakumara Mendis (UPFA) was shot dead at a hotel in Hikkaduwa last night, Police said.

The leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake today said that they would make a decision whether to remain in the National Executive Committee (NEC) consequent to the formation of the National Government.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has sought Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for the immediate release of 54 fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday.

Lambasting President Maithripala Sirisena’s appointing of 26 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs as Ministers as being a shameless move flying in the face of the people’s mandate, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said that they would rethink their role in supporting the 100-day plan.

Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago at a special function held at the Defence Ministry ground.

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed 11 more Cabinet Ministers from SLFP a short while ago. Five State Ministers and 10 Deputy Ministers have also been appointed.

Minister of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga says a few leading politicians will be taken into custody within next two weeks.

Following a shock decision worked out in total secrecy last Friday with Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, President Maithripala Sirisena will this afternoon swear-in 30 SLFP MPs as ministers, 15 of them with Cabinet rank and 15 others as Deputy Ministers

A Chinese government backed thinktank has accused India of interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka when Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the Tamil dominated Jafna area.

Sri Lanka has sought India’s assistance in tracing $2 billion, allegedly stashed away in three accounts in Dubai by family members and aides of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today filed charges against Sajin de Vass Gunawardena in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under Section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975.

UPFA MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa is being questioned by the Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in connection with the Rs 35 million in losses incurred by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum Industries.

The Government has decided to award the Field Marshal title to former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka for the yeoman service rendered by him, achieving the victory over terrorism.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament yesterday that there were four sitting MPs who had been involved in ethanol business under the previous regime.