The government’s development drive ahead of the presidential election met with stiff resistance from the Election Commission (EC) which barred the involvement of political representatives of the ruling side in any such activities, an official said.

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has summoned the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for an inquiry today (09), says the Chairman of COPF MP Harsha de Silva.

Foreign minister Ali Sabry said yesterday (08) that upon successful completion, Sri Lanka stands to gain a significant advantage of US $17 billion throughout the entire debt restructuring process.

Former Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is nominated to fill the vacant parliamentary seat after the Supreme Court disqualified State Minister Diana Gamage from holding an MP seat.

MPs of the main government affiliate Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have been accused of provoking racism and religious sentiments instead of seeking justice for victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.

MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara and Gamini Waleboda were invited to a meeting at the defence ministry chaired by president Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (07) to discuss retired Sri Lankan soldiers being used as mercenaries in Russia.

The annual event at Mullivaikkal goes beyond a mere remembrance for the civilians who died in war, said Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) MP Selvarajah Kajendran.

Leader of the National People's Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a 20 May ultimatum to his Samagi Jana Balawegaya counterpart Sajith Premadasa to choose a date for their proposed debate.

The Supreme Court today (May 08) declared that State Minister Diana Gamage is not legally qualified to hold a parliamentary seat.