All leave of railway employees have been cancelled and they are urged to report to work immediately, says the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways.

The Court of Appeal has concluded the consideration of the petition filed challenging the citizenship of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Navy, during a search operation carried out in Gurunagar, Jaffna, has recovered 1kg and 30g of high explosives.

The New Democratic Front has placed deposits on behalf of Presidential candidate Minister Sajith Premadasa to contest the upcoming 2019 Presidential Election.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by former Galle Mayor Methsiri De Silva seeking an order invalidating the Gazette notification declaring the Presidential Election 2019.

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that on the very day that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was provided with Sri Lankan Citizenship, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had given similar Citizenships to 21 others born here.

The United Kingdom announced over £10m of new funding to support long-term stability in Sri Lanka. The UK support will include promoting peace building and dialogue, supporting resettlement and livelihoods for displaced communities and the rule of law.

UNP Deputy Leader and presidential candidate of the United National Front Sajith Premadasa who was officially nominated at the party convention yesterday, vowed to serve the people and said he would not allow family politics to intrude in governance.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday defended the Government’s debt management policy, insisting that they removed elements that caused weakening of the fiscal system, with the introduction of a farsighted mechanism to strengthen the sources of public revenue and loan management.

President Maithripala Sirisena signed the special gazette notification declaring the railway service as an essential service, the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry said.

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court today requesting to issue a writ order declaring the gazette notification to call for the presidential election was illegal.

Minister of Transport Arjuna Ranatunga says steps will be taken to rename the Palali Airport as the Jaffna International Airport.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered 80 financial institutions and banks to table reports on bank accounts held by Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara, who has been sent on compulsory leave, and former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Hemasiri Fernando.

The Permanent High Court at Bar has granted permission to former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to travel overseas for a medical checkup from 9th to 12th of October.

Former Chairman of Lanka Sathosa, Kiran Atapattu stressed that he was pressured by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his Public Relations Officer, Abdullah to make an illegal payment of Rs 549 million to Liverpool Navigation (Private) Limited in July 2015.

“I do not prioritise issues pertaining to the rival candidates and instead, focus my fullest attention on the policy programme and the vision that I have annunciated,” United National Front presidential candidate, Minister Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.