Co-cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena stated that the cabinet has decided to temporarily withhold the gazette notification naming Sainthamaruthu as a separate local government area.

A group of scientists led by Dr. Sameera R. Samarakoon at the Institute of Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo has recently discovered a possible sets of United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs which can be used as prophylactic treatment for COVID-19 by using computer-based drug designing methods.

The appointment of popular artiste Iraj Weeraratne as Digital Marketing Consultant to Sri Lanka Tourism is still pending, with Cabinet awaiting approval from respective agencies.

In an advanced version of a report on Sri Lanka presented to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva ahead of its 43rd session, United Nation’s High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has raised concerns regarding the island nation.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the Sri Lankan government has decided to withdraw from the process of co-sponsorship in relation to United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution 30/1, which was co-sponsored by the previous Good Governance Government.

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Wijeynayaka who were arrested on money laundering charges after they surrendered to the CID this morning, were further remanded until March 4 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today.

The 43-year-old Chinese national who tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) in January, was released from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases after 25 days this morning.

Retired persons will be able to obtain train tickets free of charge by submitting their National Identity Cards (NICs) to the railway stations.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered details of an illegal acquisition of Government land for the controversial Batticaloa campus owned by former Eastern Province Governor , M.L.A.M. Hizbullah. CID sources said the owners of the campus had allegedly acquired 15 acres illegally to build the Campus in addition to the land given by the government.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will dissolve Parliament between 2 and 6 March, Information and Communication Technology State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said yesterday.

There was no agreement among party leaders on releasing all the phone recordings that were tabled by UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake to MPs as it might create serious issues, Parliament was told yesterday.

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa have agreed to contest the upcoming general election from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya under the swan symbol, UNP MP Navin Dissanayake said.

Those who possess illegal weapons would be charged Rs. 10,000 fine and or five-year rigorous imprisonment if it is the first offence, the Defence Ministry said.

The United National Party says a final decision will be reached on the symbol of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya tomorrow.

The preliminary report of the 4-member Committee appointed to review the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC) was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (17).