Australian Border Force officials are facing a surge of people-smuggling activity from Sri Lanka, with another fishing boat carrying 13 suspected illegal immigrants ­intercepted west of Christmas ­Island – the sixth attempted venture since May.

Non-Cabinet Minister for Public Distribution and Economic Reforms Dr. Harsha de Silva said that the announcement of the Presidential Candidate of the UNP-led Democratic National will take place at the 73rd Anniversary of United National Party on September 6.

President Maithripala Sirisena, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa will have a special discussion next week.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to be nominated as the UNP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)  Presidential candidate, senior party sources say.

The European Union has welcomed Sri Lanka’s progress on protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and called to continue the achievement during a meeting held with Sri Lankan officials.

The JVP says it is prepared to fulfil the duty of developing the country while creating an ethical political culture.

The United Lawyers’ Association (ULA), a collective of senior lawyers, on Friday called for a change in the United National Party (UNP) leadership, claiming that the Party, under Ranil Wickremesinghe, had suffered consecutive defeats for over a quarter of a century and needs fresh blood at the helm, to face the upcoming Presidential poll.

The presidential hopeful of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa says special attention must be given to the welfare of women and children when ensuring national security.

Ongoing discussions between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are progressing smoothly. The talks are productive and fruitful, Opposition and SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa says.

One should not hold rallies and dinners and spoil the UNP, its assistant leader Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.

Sports Minister Harin Fernando yesterday (30) told news media that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has never said that he would not chose UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as the UNP Candidate for the oncoming Presidential Election.

The Police Department says they are trying out new technology that would enable them to identify and prosecute wanted and known criminals more speedily.

Dates for the presidential election would be announced during the second half of October, Elections Commission sources said yesterday.

Dullas Alahapperuma and Keheliya Rambukwella had been appointed as the official media spokespersons of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

A special discussion between senior members of the United National Party and party leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will take place today.