While condemning claims that Viyathmaga members are backing the National People's Power (NPP) government, Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Nalinda Jayathissa today assured that no one from Viyathmaga has been appointed as Ministers or Ministry Secretaries.

A journalist raised a question regarding the appointment of Professor Kapila Perera as the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation.

Responding to the query, Minister Jayathissa guaranteed that Professor Kapila Perera was not affiliated with Viyathmaga.

“Professor Kapila Perera was appointed solely based on his qualifications and past experience. The government considered his capabilities before appointing him to the current secretary position,” he explained.

The Minister also clarified that Dr Prasanna Gunasena, a dental surgeon elected from the Kandy district, is not the same individual as another person named Dr Prasanna Gunasena associated with Viyathmaga.

In the wake of bribery allegations against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani in the US, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayathissa said that the Sri Lankan government was taking the matter seriously. He said that the government was reviewing Adani's ongoing projects in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Magistrate's Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of newly elected Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr Ramanathan Archchuna for failing to appear before the court in connection with a traffic accident that occurred in 2021.

China has invited President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for an official visit, Cabinet spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today. He told a weekly breifing to announce Cabinet decisions that the Chinese Ambassador has officially handed over the invitation to the President.

In response to concerns raised on the lack of Muslim representatives in the recent Cabinet appointments, Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the Cabinet was not formed based on race, religion or caste.

Responding to social media reports criticizing the presence of top NPP members at the ABBA Tribute Show, the Mount Lavinia Hotel clarified that the dignitaries were invited guests at the concert.

Following a joint programme initiated by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Department of Examinations, four candidates who were unable to reach their examination centres due to floods in Matara, were transported to their respective centres with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Navy, Examination Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara said.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Monday it has approved a USD-200-million loan to modernise Sri Lanka's power sector infrastructure, improving network reliability and supporting renewables integration.

Speaker Ashoka Ranwala said investigations will be held into the condcut of Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan in Parliament last week to ascertain whether he had resorted to any indisciplined or unethical behaviour.

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said his successor Anura Kumara Dissanayake should fully implement the “vision document” adopted with India last year.

A Sri Lankan fishing trawler, was seized by the Maldivian Coast Guard after it was found carrying over 450 kilograms of illicit drugs. The haul included 344 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and 124 kg of cocaine.