Controversial former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa declaring his intention to run for president this year has created sharp divisions within the opposition led by his elder brother Mahinda.

A total of six persons have been killed while three others injured in an accident reported along the Colombo-Chilaw road in Wennappuwa at around 3.15 this morning.

United People’s Freedom Alliance Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama says a Presidential Election must be held prior to other elections.

UPFA MP Duminda Dissanayake said yesterday he was confident that the President would release Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) general secretary the Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera on February 4.

Human rights groups expressed alarm at Sri Lanka’s leader on Friday for praising Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his bloody war on drugs as an “example to the whole world”.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties at the Opposition Leader’s office at No 30, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 07, after a religious ceremony, this morning.

The Central Bank is steaming ahead to raise funds for debt repayments, aiming to raise in excess of $5 billion over the next two months from a range of sources, including currency swaps from India, loans from Chinese banks, an international sovereign bond, lines of credit from State banks, as well as Panda and Samurai bonds, a top official said yesterday.

Minister of Justice and Prison reforms Thalatha Athukorala says the law will be enacted against all those involved in the assault incidents reported within the premises of the Angunakolapelessa Prison, regardless of rank and distinction.

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the matter of dual-citizenship was something personal to him and he did not think the US could block individual rights.

Four persons in possession of 100kg of explosives and 100 detonators have been arrested in Wanathawilluwa area in Puttalam.

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate into allegations of corruption and malpractices that had taken place from 15th January 2015 to 31st December 2018, the Presidential Media Division said.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa arrived at the Special High Court this morning to appear over the alleged misappropriation of public funds for the construction of the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial museum at Weeraketiya.

A suspect was arrested with 5.024 kg of heroin valued at more than Rs.60 million in Kothalawala last night by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).

The two heads of state have focused on establishing an economic council to revive economic and trade relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Leaked CCTV footage from the Angunukolapelessa Prison revealed that on 22 November 2018, Prison Police personnel led by the Prison Superintendent, chased unarmed and unresisting prisoners in remand custody, got them to crawl and walk on their knees, continuously attacked and assaulted them with batons and in one instance, even kicked a detainee.

The Philippines and Sri Lanka signed five agreements during President Maithripala Sirisena’s state visit to the country.