Intermittent gunfire rang out Monday at a Sri Lankan high security prison where a riot by inmates over a surge of coronavirus infections left at least eight dead and 55 wounded, police said.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa and three others have been acquitted by the Colombo High Court over the case misappropriation of public funds to distribute roofing sheets during the run up to the 2015 Presidential Election case.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charges the government of concealing the true financial figures of the country.

Justice Minister Ali Sabry on Saturday (27) urged Opposition MPs to be fair when they spoke about the judiciary as their speeches and innuendos could lead to an erosion of public faith in the judiciary.

Eight persons have died while 109 others have sustained injuries in the unrest reported at the Mahara Prison last evening.

Seven more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

Four inmates were killed and twenty four others were injured during the tense situation at the Mahara Prison.

A Policeman was killed in an attempt to halt an illegal sand mining operation in Kobaigane, Nikaweratiya last night.

Isolation curfew imposed in the Mattakkuliya, Foreshore and Pettah Police areas of the Colombo District and Ragama and Negombo Police areas of the Gampaha District will be lifted tomorrow the 30th at 5.00 am, said Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

Two more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval yesterday called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Wijerama.

The Batticaloa Campus which was in the centre of controversy after the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 will be acquired by the government shortly, Minister of Education Professor G.L. Peiris told Parliament yesterday.

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of former Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, released a letter on Thursday calling for Attorney General Dappula de Livera to protect the life of former CID Director Shani Abeysekara.

Eight more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

Former CID Director Shani Abeysekera who was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, was transferred to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) following medical advice, the Prisons Department said.

Chandana D. Wickramaratne has assumed duties as the 35th Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Sri Lanka today (27).