Twenty-seven (27) students, along with their parents, filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court today, seeking an order to cancel Paper I and Paper II of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination held on September 15.

The appointment of Shani Abeysekera as the Director of Crimes is a politically motivated one, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) former MP said today.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today refused to release three Directors of W.M. Mendis and Company Ltd. - Arjun Aloysius, A.R. Dinendra John and Prasanna Kumarasiri de Silva on bail, in a bail pending appeal.

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today that the government has decided to review the Wind Power Project in Mannar, which involves India’s Adani Group.

The Ministry of Education has decided to close all schools in the Colombo Education Zone tomorrow (15) due to the prevailing rainy weather conditions. It was also decided yesterday (13) to close schools in the Gampaha and Kelaniya Education Zones.

The Bribery Commission has already expedited action related to cases of alleged corruption, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today. Addressing Colombo based diplomatic corps, the Minister said the government has already commenced investigations into certain key matters.

Following a meeting held this morning, the Examinations Department has decided not to re-conduct the Grade 5 scholarship examination and will provide free marks for the three questions that were allegedly leaked, Examinations Commissioner General Amit Jayasundara said.

The Election Commission has revealed the names of three Presidential candidates who have failed to submit election expenditure reports. The deadline for Presidential election candidates to submit their expenditure reports ended at midnight yesterday (13).

Claiming that corrupt and racist politicians have opted not to contest this year's General Election to evade defeat, NPP member Bimal Ratnayake said today it was a great victory secured by the NPP even before the General Election victory to make sure that such politicians have not even become candidates at this year's elections.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake conducted a virtual discussion today (11) with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Gampaha district candidate Ajith Mannaperuma has withdrawn from the general elections as he has been removed as the electoral organiser of the SJB. Mannaperuma told the media that he has withdrawn from the campaign. He was to contest from the SJB.

Police arrested a group of 120 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in online financial frauds. The arrests took place at a luxury bungalow in Kundasale, Kandy, which features at least 47 rooms. Police also seized 15 computers and 300 mobile phones from the suspects.

Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party (EPDP), a Tamil party led by former Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, has created history by fielding two Buddhist monks and thus becoming the first Tamil party to field a Buddhist monk.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has promised thorough investigations into the injury of two Sri Lankans in Lebanon, according to a statement from the Sri Lankan mission in Tel Aviv.

More key political figures have backed out from contesting the November 14 General Election, marking an end to their parliamentary careers and paving way for the new Parliament to have new faces representing the political parties.

Former Director CID, SSP Shani Abeysekera has been appointed Director of Crimes of Sri Lanka Police. On the recommendation of the Acting IGP, the National Police Commission and the Election Commission have approved SSP Abeysekera's appointment.

The accepting of nominations for the 2024 General Election which commenced on October 4, will conclude today (11) at 12 noon. According to the Election Commission, nominations were accepted at district secretariats across 22 electoral districts.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 to all pensioners from next week.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Politburo member Geethanath Cassilingham, who is contesting the upcoming General Election from the Jaffna District, today challenged his co-candidates to prove they have never solicited or mediated liquor licenses.

The National Police Commission has transferred five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), including DIG Rohan Premaratne, who was overseeing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). According to the Commission, a female DIG was also among those transferred, with the moves subject to the approval of the Election Commission.

Announcing that the National Freedom Front (NFF) will not contest the general elections, its leader Wimal Weerawansa stressed the need for the National People's Power (NPP) government to secure a majority in parliament.

Patali Champika Ranawaka’s party, the United Republic Front, has officially informed the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) that they are withdrawing from the alliance ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

Former State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has announced that he will not contest the upcoming Parliamentary Election. Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member clarified, however, this does not mean that he has quit politics.

The Colombo High Court issued an order freezing two bank accounts belonging to former State Minister Anupa Pasqual, for three months. The Colombo High Court Judge made this order pursuant to a request by the Bribery Commission.

The National People's Power (NPP) government will not use state resources for the general election and that they will show it in practice this time, NPP member Lal Kantha said today.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court (MC) has imposed an overseas travel ban on former MP Johnston Fernando today (10). The travel ban has been imposed over allegations of possessing an illegally assembled luxury vehicle.

Rather than resigning from the Tamil Arasu Party, Mr. Thavarasa should stay and use the legal system to remove harmful elements within the party, such as Sumanthiran, Sathiyalingam, Sayanthan, and Sivakaran. This would follow the exemplary Tamil tradition of standing firm in the face of injustice and fighting to preserve the integrity of the party from within.

Admiral Steve Koehler, a 4-star U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will visit Sri Lanka tomorrow (October 10), marking the highest-level U.S. military visit to the country since 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

Actor-turned-politician Ranjan Ramanayake and former Sri Lankan cricketer T.M. Dilshan announced the forming of a new political party, the United Democratic Voice (UDV), a short while ago. Ramanayake is the leader of the party while Dilshan is the national organiser. The 'Microphone' is their party symbol.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government has decided to retain the 130-year-old iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office building exclusively for the operations of the Postal Department, suspending the former government’s plans related to tourism.