The decision on the Government to be formed will likely be determined this week after the announcement of the final ruling by the Supreme Court following the petitions filed against the Gazette issued by President Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve Parliament, informed political insiders said.

An unidentified group in Kopay, Jaffna have been suspected of carrying out a petrol bomb attack earlier today (Dec 08). The attack had resulted in damages being caused to three vehicles. Meanwhile, it is reported that a similar attack was carried out in Nallurai on 29th last month thereby resulting in the damage of two three-wheelers. Police are conducting investigations to determine whether there is a link between both incidents.

UK's minister of state for human rights, Lord Ahmad said developments in Sri Lanka were being watched closely and emphasised the need to protect human rights, rule of law and good governance. In his interim statement on the human rights situation in 2018 in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 30 human rights priority countries, Lord Ahmad noted: "the UK is following developments in Sri Lanka closely and is aware of the concern felt by many about the potential impact on human rights defenders."

The majority of the UNPers were of the view that it was Sajith Premadasa who should be the party

en acres of land which was accquired by the Army in the Northern and Eastern province will be released to their rightful owners tomorrow (Dec 09). The Army in a statement said it has released upto 70,000 acres of land to their rightful owners as of now. It is reported that over 1500 acres of private land which is currently in possession of the Army will also be released in future.

President Maithripala Sirisena today ruled out a snap presidential election despite several parties such as the United National Party (UNP) urging him to so. He told Daily Mirror that he would not act according to the political agendas of others. Under the country's Constitution, the President can declare a presidential election at any time after four years if he intended to seek a fresh mandate.

Sri Lanka's passport has been ranked 84th in the list of the world's most powerful passports according to a passport index, the government news portal reported. The report further states that Sri Lanka has been granted visa-free access to 16 countries and visa on arrival to 29 countries. The ranking was given after having taken into consideration the passports of 199 countries.

The Iranamadu Tank, which was renovated, was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena today. Governor of Northern Province Reginald Cooray, MPs including Nimal Siripala De Silva, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Sarath Amunugama attended the event.

The stay order which was issued on the Parliament dissolution gazette has been extended till December 10. The order was issued when the case was taken up for hearing at the Supreme Court today (Dec 07). Twelve FR petitions have been filed challenging the dissolution gazette.

MP Mano Ganesan taking to his Twitter handle said there is no such move to put forth a federal constitution as indicated by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. MP Ganesan was responding to a statement by Mr. Rajapaksa claiming that he grabbed power to prevent a federal constitution being brought in. The tweet by the TNA MP said that there was not even a draft for a federal constitution. He further said if a federal constitution was to be brought in, it would have to be passed by a 2/3rd majority in the Parliament and a referendum.

A proposal to reappoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister is to be presented to Parliament on Dec 12, UNP MP Ajith P. Perera said. Mr Perera made this statement at a media briefing that was held at Temple Trees today (Dec 7). Meanwhile, UNP Deputy Leader, Sajith Premadasa says whatever the verdict of the Supreme Court hearing regarding the dissolution of Parliament, the party was ready to accept it.

The case which was filed against MP Vijayakala Maheswaran over her controversial remark concerning the LTTE, has been postponed till February 22, 2019. The order was issued when the case was taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrates court today (Dec 07). The case was adjourned as instructions from the Attorney General were yet to be received .

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today criticized United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for meeting foreign ambassadors and high commissioners at Temple Trees on Wednesday. MP Shehan Semasinghe said entertaining foreign envoys at Temple Trees was a misuse of public property.

The Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), which is one of the parties aligned with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), asked a written commitment from the United National Party (UNP) to implement the 13th Amendment in full, along with land and Police powers and to merge the North and the East as a condition for support it to form a Government, it is learnt.

The United National Party (UNP) would move a confidence motion pledging solidarity with its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to become the Prime Minister on December 12, it is learnt. The decision has been taken by the UNP in the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena

The interim injuction issued by the Supreme Court on the gazette to dissolve Parliament has been extended from December 07 to December 08. Accordingly, the hearing of the FR petitions that were filed against the gazette has been postponed till tomorrow (Dec 07). During today

A stock of heroin weighing 231kg worth Rs 2,778 million has been seized following a raid at a beach in Balapitiya, Beruwala. According to the police, this is the second largest haul of heroin that has been recovered in the country until today.Police had also recovered a boat which is alleged to have used in the transportation of the stock of heroin. Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that the raid was carried out with the assistance of the Police Narcotics Bereau, the Special Task Force and the Sri Lanka Navy.

The Parliament website has been edited to recognise Mahinda Rajapaksa as a Parliamentarian and not Prime Minister. Rajapaksa continued to be listed as the current Prime Minister on the website despite Parliament approving a no-confidence motion against him. The matter was raised in Parliament over the last few days, including yesterday.

A group of diplomats who had met UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that President Maithirpala Sirisena will have to do the right thing at some point of time and that they were confident of such an eventuality. Several Ambassadors and high Commissioners of leading countries have met Mr. Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees on Wednesday evening. Mr. Wickremesinghe who had briefed them had said President Sirisena does not appear to be prepared to work in accordance with the constitution, UNP sources said.

President

Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne was released today (Dec 5) on two surety bails of Rs. 1 Million each. Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake advised Admiral Wijegunaratne if it is revealed that he exerts his influence on the investigations or on the witnesses, bail will be revoked and he would be placed in remand custody until the trial is concluded.

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that he would resign from Presidency after making a State of the Nation Address if he was pushed to the wall, MP Mano Ganeshan said.According to the MP, the President has said this during the meeting which was held with United National Front (UNF) party leaders Monday night.

President Maithripala Sirisena risks being impeached and losing his civic rights due to his repeated violations of the Constitution, JVP MP Vijitha Herath told Parliament today (5). Speaking during the debate on the adjournment motion in Parliament, MP Herath charged that four of the five gazette notifications issued by the President since October 26 violated the Constitution.

The United National Party (UNP) has decided not to go ahead with the motion that was due to be debated in Parliament today calling on the President to act on the motions passed in Parliament in the past few weeks. The motion that was to be presented today states that Parliament proposes to the President that further action be taken in terms of Article 48 (2) of the Constitution. Speaking at the commencement of Parliament sessions today, UNP MP Mayantha Dissanayake said that they were withdrawing the motion until further notice.

The hearing of the Fundamental Rights (FR) Petitions filed against the dissolution of parliament commenced for the second day today in the Supreme Court a short while ago. The seven-Judge bench of the Supreme Court commenced hearing of the petitions yesterday. During today

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the reason for the present political uncertainty is Ranil Wickremesinghe. Addressing a special SLFP conference today at the Sugathadasa stadium, President Sirisena said that there is no political crisis in the country and instead there is only a political uncertainty. He further said that Ranil Wickremesinghe had explicitly destroyed the name of good governance.

The hearing of the FR petitions that were filed challenging the President's gazette to dissolve Parliament was taken up before the Supreme Court today (Dec 04). The arguments of around 10 President's counsel's representing the petitioners were heard before a 7-member judge bench comprising Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Aubrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, Prasanna Jayawardena, Vijith Mallagoda, and Murdu Fernando.

A 40-year old was arrested by the Vavuniya police at 4:30 pm yesterday (Dec 03) over the murder of two policemen in Batticaloa. The suspect has been identified as Kadiramathambi Irajakumaran and it is reported that he is a resident of Kannankuda. The suspects will be produced before the Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations.