SLPP Presidential hopeful and former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has asked America’s Central California District Court to stay the case filed against him involving the 2009 extrajudicial killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge until the end of the presidential election, pleading that reporting on the case is jeopardizing his electoral prospects.

Founder and National Organiser of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Basil Rajapaksa is engaged in a sinister plan to obstruct the successful discussions that have been initiated between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and SLPP’s presidential candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a senior SLFP MP told The Leader.

Tamils in northern Sri Lanka have been protesting the detention of a forensic expert who had provided crucial forensic evidence on several human rights abuse cases exposing the involvement of security forces.

Wickremesinghe has directed his Secretary to make necessary arrangements to facilitate the removal of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) from Minister Hashim’s purview and re-assign it to Minister Lakshman Kiriella.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) electoral organizers who have joined the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) are to be sacked by the SLFP.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested the presence of all senior leaders of the party at the Temple Trees today (30) to hold a discussion on the Presidential candidate to be put forward by the United National Front (UNF).

The Prime Minister's Office has refuted reports claiming that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee headed by his Secretary, Saman Ekanayake to probe into an allegation that Rs. 1.2 billion has gone missing from the Central Cultural Fund operating under Minister Sajith Premadasa.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna insiders are said to be perturbed following a revelation that their Presidential candidate Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa,

A group of UN experts have expressed serious concern over the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Sri Lanka’s Army Commander and noted that it was an affront to the victims and a harrowing sign of the perpetuation of impunity in the country.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa have sent separate unofficial messages to President Maithripala Sirisena that they have no objections to postponing the presidential election, sources from the Presidential Secretariat said.