Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday warned of dire consequences unless accountability allegations, levelled against Lankan military were properly investigated.

The Jaffna International Airport was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena in Palaly today (17).Prime Minister Ranil Wickresminghe, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Arjuna Ranatunga along with other dignitaries graced the inaugural event.

The Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested four suspects from Katubedda and Kawdana areas along with 683g of heroin.

A solid national security policy is a top priority for Sri Lanka, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that under his rule, the existing VAT will be reduced to 8 per cent, and taxes imposed on salaries of labourers and middle-class workers will be removed.

Sri Lanka’s election chief said Wednesday that he has asked for an explanation from the defense ministry on why the army commander features in an advertisement promoting a candidate for next month’s presidential election.

The Chairman of Avant-Garde Maritime Services Nissanka Senadhipathi, who had been staying in Singapore, was arrested upon his arrival in Sri Lanka.

Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya today announced that the final results of the 2019 Presidential Election will likely to be released before noon on the 18th of November.

A Sri Lankan Tamil refugee family, including two toddlers born in Australia, remain in detention thousands of kilometres off the country’s northwestern coast, despite a United Nations request that the family be allowed to return to the rural Australian town where they have lived for the past three years.

A Brazilian national, who was arrested for smuggling in and being in possession of 600g of cocaine while in Sri Lanka, has been sentenced to death.

The owner of the unidentified car that had created some panic in the Mattakkuliya area this morning had been identified and had removed the vehicle, the Police said.

The Cabinet is reported to have approved retirement benefits for President Maithripala Sirisena, his security arrangements by the Special Task Force (STF) and the other facilities provided to the former heads of State.

New Democratic Front presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, yesterday, said that if he was elected President, every schoolchild would be given two sets of uniforms and the lunch free of charge.

Constitutional Council approves appointment of Saman Sri Ratnayake as Commissioner General of the National Elections Commission.

A former Sri Lankan defense chief who is a front-runner in next month’s presidential election said Tuesday that if he wins, he won’t recognize an agreement the government made with the U.N. human rights council to investigate alleged war crimes during the nation’s civil war.