A suspect has been arrested at Keselwatte, Panadura along with a diamond valued at around Rs 500 million believed to have been stolen in Pannipitiya last year.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday, warned the public not to be fooled by today’s budget. He said that there would be a number of election ‘gundus’ therein.

It is proposed to obtain Rs. 10.5 billion from the budget to purchase heart stents, eye lenses etc, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera will today present the Government’s Budget for 2019 under the theme ‘Empowering the People, Nurturing the Poor,’ which will set critical policies and priorities for an election year.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in conversation with Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga while putting the final touches to the Budget – 2019 at the Minister’s “Rainbow End” private residence at Gorakana- Panadura yesterday. Minister Mangala Samaraweera will present the Budget – 2019 at 1.30 pm on Tuesday in Parliament.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Anuradhapura sacred city yesterday morning (03).

President Maithripala Sirisena has stressed the need for the establishment of a special court to hear cases related to drug crimes and plans to discuss this matter at the next Cabinet meeting.

A delegation consisting of representatives of at least four Tamil political parties is scheduled to head for Geneva to lobby the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for an international mechanism to speed up investigations into alleged human rights violations and accountability issues.

Sanka Shirantha alias Bloemandhal Sanka, a notorious criminal and 2 others have been arrested from Rameshwaram – Tamilnadu – India.

President Maithripala Sirisena has failed to secure crucial support of the breakaway faction of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) dimming prospects of a snap presidential election, according to seniors on both sides.

Opposition MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday charged that the much-touted ‘Suraksha Insurance Scheme’ launched for 4.5 million students has defrauded Rs.2,300 million in 2018 and as such it was proper for President Maithripala Sirisena to suspend the insurance scheme.

Joint Opposition member Gamini Lokuge, MP said, yesterday, that State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s allegations that some MPs were addicted to cocaine was a stage-managed act to distract public attention from the bond scams and other such issues.

Leader of the House, Public Enterprise and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella says, “some of our people criticised the President publicly and later begged for his forgiveness.”

JVP Politbureau member K.D. Lal Kantha has been arrested for drunk driving and causing a motor accident today (01).