In response to widespread concerns regarding the alleged presence of Israeli soldier Gal Ferenbook in Colombo, police said that they have not received any verified information on the matter.

Ferenbook, known as the 'terminator', is accused of being responsible for the death of a Palestinian civilian and the degrading treatment of the body.

Last week, the Hind Rajab Foundation, an organization based in Belgium, posted a photo of Ferenbook, asserting that they had appealed to Sri Lankan authorities, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Interpol to arrest him for his involvement in the killing of a Palestinian civilian in Gaza.

The Foundation called on Sri Lankan authorities, the ICC, and Interpol to take swift action, stating that the soldier's presence in Sri Lanka represented an opportunity to hold him accountable.

Meanwhile, a joint protest organized by the Free Palestine Movement and the United Federation of Labour was held outside the US Embassy in Colombo last Friday, urging the arrest of Ferenbook, who was reportedly in Sri Lanka.

Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga said that there have been no official reports corroborating the claim, other than those from the Hind Rajab Foundation.

Despite the organization alleging that it filed complaints with local authorities, the spokesman said that police have found no evidence to support these claims.

The government will conduct fresh probes into the scams involved in the import of a stock of biofertilizer from China and in the introduction of organic farming during the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a minister said yesterday.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today that the people will know whether the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MPs had sought assistance from the President’s Fund as claimed by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara when the rest of the list is released soon.

The circular issued by the Western Province Education Zonal Ministry prohibiting private tutoring classes for students by school teachers, along with the letter issued by the Education Ministry regarding modulators, has been withdrawn, Parliamentarian Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

Adding further controversy to the misuse of the President’s Fund, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said some of JVP members also sought assistance from the President’s funds prior to 2010.

In response to queries about the potential introduction of new taxes on imported vehicles, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayathissa said today that the Finance Ministry will make an official announcement regarding taxes in the future.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to add one of its overhauled and upgraded Kfir multirole combat aircraft to its fleet within the first three months of next year, the Daily Mirror learns.

The tri-forces security provided to former Presidents will be removed from today as announced by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala. The Defence Ministry said instructions regarding the matter have been issued to the Commanders of the tri-forces. The Defence Ministry said only police security will be assigned for the security of former Presidents.

The Ministry of Education announced that the second stage of the third term for the 2024 academic year in all government and government-approved private schools will commence on January 2, 2025. The term is set to run for three weeks, concluding on January 24, 2025.

A female student and another woman were killed after being struck by an express train at the Anuradhapura New Town Railway Station. The victims were part of a group from Ratnapura attending a taekwondo tournament at the Anuradhapura Public Ground.

A 30-year-old man was injured in a shooting by two unidentified assailants who arrived on a motorcycle in Koskandawala, Weeragula this afternoon.