United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Kabir Hashim today said that he had decided to resign as the General Secretary of the United National Party.

Soon after defeating the no-confidence motion against him in Parliament, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the media that the current National government will continue with the members who remain in it.

Three persons have been injured following a shooting incident at Athuruwella, Induruwa in the Kosgoda police division when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at a car.

The annual expenditure of the state health sector records Rs. 500 billion each year, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has defeated the No-Confidence Motion brought up against him by the Joint Opposition.

State Minister Palitha Range Bandara says that he and 27 other UNP MPs will vote against the No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) would vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament a short while ago.

State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana, in contradiction to the statement made by State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has decided to vote in favour of the No Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister.

Parliament will debate the no-faith motion, moved by the Joint Opposition (JO), against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm today. The vote on the motion will be taken at 9.00 pm as per a decision by party leaders.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by Minister Mano Ganeshan have decided to vote against the no-confidence motion on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Minister Rauff Hakeem said today his party decided to vote against the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the President’s residence a short while ago for another discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena in view of the no-faith motion against him in Parliament.

The Joint Opposition (JO) will set up a committee consisting of MPs to organise a series of protests against the new Inland Revenue Act, which took effect on Sunday, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says.

The Parliamentary Group of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has unanimously decided to request Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down from his position, Minister Chandima Weerakkody said.