The United National Party’s Working Committee has decided to name Sajith Premadasa as the Leader of the UNP-led alliance and the Prime Ministerial candidate, MP Lakshman Kiriella said.

Sources close to the Opposition Leader said that a group of 35 UNP MPs including the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa have taken a decision to boycott the Working Committee meeting scheduled to be held this afternoon.

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 29th January 2020, decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 50 basis points to 6.50 per cent and 7.50 per cent, respectively.

Officials attached to the Peliyagoda Special Investigations Unit has arrested three suspects, including two females and one male with 192kg of heroin, 10 pistols and 19 magazines this morning.

A decisive United National Party Working Committee meeting will be held today to decide on the future course of action by the party, its General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam yesterday accused the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) of downplaying the growing threat posed by the coronavirus.

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested in connection with the controversial audio clips, has been further remanded until February 12 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has recorded a statement from former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The Governments making a concerted effort to increase the availability of facemasks in the market to prevent the spread of coronavirus the country, is currently holding discussions with three local producers of facemasks requesting them to increase production.

State Minister for International Cooperation Susil Premjayantha, yesterday, turned down UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa’s offer to serve as Prime Minister, in a government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed satisfaction on the precautions taken and preparedness shown in managing the possible challenges posed from the Coronavirus in Sri Lanka.

All Sri Lankan students arriving from Wuhan, China will be moved to and screened at the Diyathalawa army camp for two week’s time, says Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

UNP MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, on Sunday, identified flaws in the fund allocation under the previous government as one of the major reasons for the defeat of its presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.

The two white van drivers who participated in the controversial media briefing organized by the former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne had lodged a complaint with the CID yesterday stating that they had received alleged death threats from the former Minister.