An aircraft made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport early this morning as a result of two passengers passing away mid-flight.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov and the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells will arrive in Colombo today on official visits.

Tea Industry State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka has no right to speak about the law and order because he has been involved in naming the opposition members for arrests at Temple Trees along with Ministers Rajitha Seneratne and Patali Champika Ranawaka during the previous regime.

UNP MP Mujibur Rahman, yesterday (12), said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government was in a far bigger crisis than the UNP though the media remained focused on the Opposition.

Opposition Leader and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, who held the Cultural Affairs portfolio under the previous government, is likely to face a police investigation into disbursement of large amount of funds.

Veteran dramatist and actor in stage drama, film & television, Jayalath Manoratne passed away at the age of 71.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasized the need of preventing brain drain to achieve rapid development in the country.

Referring to MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s audio clips which have gone viral on social media, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera said yesterday there was an international conspiracy behind the series of events to carry out some hidden agenda.

Former UNP Minister and party stalwart Jayawickrama Perera yesterday said that a decision would be taken on Wednesday at a group meeting whether MP Ranjan Ramanayake should be expelled from the party over the phone recording scandal.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday, said that it would be the responsibility of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya to take action in respect of the recent disclosure of UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s audio clips.

“The people did not want a Gotabaya Rajapaksa but a proper leader who is capable in putting the country on the right track”, said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

A Police Inspector and a Police Constable have been sentenced to a 28 year rigorous imprisonment for soliciting a bribe of Rs.10,000 in 2009.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has made a sudden visit to the National Hospital in Colombo a short while ago.

The Mayor of Matale Municipal Council Daljith Aluvihare was arrested by the police, for assaulting a Municipal Councilor yesterday (08).

The JVP has challenged the government to present all amendments that are beneficial to the public before the upcoming Parliamentary Election, if in fact, it is seeking a two thirds majority in Parliament to pass progressive Constitutional Amendments.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has met Minister of Home Affairs and Law of Singapore, Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (08).