A young Saudi woman Rahaf al-Qunun, has said she has fled her family in fear for her life, and barricaded herself in her hotel room at Bangkok Airport, the BBC reported a short while ago.

A tense situation was reported at the state-owned Independent Television Network (ITN) premises this morning during a protest carried out by its employees against the management.

Three new governors were appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena today for Sabaragamuwa, Northern and Uva provinces.

The proposed UNP-led political alliance called ‘Democratic National Front’ is to accommodate civil society organizations that primarily stood for the political change in 2015, it is learnt.

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to impose a sewerage disposal service charge from commercial and industrial companies within the city.

The first train operated from Beliatta to Matara this morning on the newly constructed Matara – Beliatta line with the participation of Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranathunga.

Three fishermen were arrested with 73.6 grammes of heroin in Beruwala last evening, Police said.

The transfer of seventy two police OICs has been suspended until further notice by the National Police Commission (NPC), Police said.

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that they would not allow anyone to divide the country, which was rescued from the LTTE, through a Constitution.

Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council member Janaka Ranawaka has been appointed as the President’s private secretary, sources said.

There could be a Cabinet reshuffle soon after the Attorney General voice his opinion with regard to the number of members in the Cabinet in response to an inquiry made by the UNP leadership, Deputy Minister Ajith Mannaperuma said today.

The Tripitaka, the essence of Theravada Buddhism was declared a national heritage at a ceremony held at the historic Aluviharaya in Matale under the aegis of President Maithripala Sirisena today.

At yesterday's party leaders meeting, the main opposition United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is reported to have criticised Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for having openly advocated the abolition of the executive presidency.

The first ever train on the newly constructed Matara-Beliatta railway line would be commissioned at 10 a.m. tomorrow, the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry said yesterday. The ministry said the train would be commissioned initially from Beliatta to Matara.

Allies of the new alliance led by the United National Party (UNP) will meet on Sunday to take a final decision with regard to the alliance, a political party who is expected to join the Democratic National Front (DNF) said yesterday.

Parliament has set aside a month-long debate for the 2019 Budget, House Leader Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday. He said the party leaders who met yesterday had decided on February 5 for presenting the

SLFP Youth League head Shantha Bandara is tipped to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament in place of UPFA national list MP M.L.A.M. Hizbullah who was yesterday appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province.

A Sri Lankan youth who attempted to smuggle illicit cigarettes worth over Rs.1.6 million into the country from Dubai was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

Former president and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday they would field a single presidential candidate from an alliance formed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and others.

UNP Deputy Leader and Housing Social Empowerment Minister Sajith Premadasa said he might end up in Bogambara or some other prison for distributing houses to the needy.

The Chinese Government is willing to work together with the Sri Lankan Government and its people to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan said on Thursday.

The suspension imposed on the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from functioning as a Primary Dealer would be extended for a period of six months with effect from Saturday, the Central Bank today said.

Seventy two Police OICs have been transferred by the National Police Commission (NPC) with immediate effect based on service requirements.

President Maithripala Sirisena has said he will appoint a committee next week on restructuring SriLankan airlines, the Presidential Media Unit said.

Colombo’s former deputy mayor Azath Salley was sworn in as governor for the Western Province by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon, the President’s Media Unit said.

Four Provincial Governors were sworn in by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon, the President’s Media Unit said.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told the party leaders meeting that he stood by his stance on recognizing former president Mahinda Rahapaksa as the Opposition Leader in Parliament.

Former civil servant Devanesan Nesiah officially returned the “Deshamanya” award conferred to him by President Maithripala Sirisena today.

Former Minister S.B.Dissanayaka said the joint opposition had no haste to topple the UNF government and added the government would finally agree to hold a Parliamentary poll before the due date.

Sri Lanka is getting colder as the temperature levels in several areas seem to have gone down during the last 48 hours.

Former Minister and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said today he would not allow deputy minister Palitha Thewarapperuma to come to parliament alleging that he was engaged in corrupt activities such as sand mining.

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara had been appointed the new General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

A Sri Lankan couple living in Rome had the honour of being the parents of the first baby born in the New Year.

Martin Guptill's fourth ODI ton, half-centuries from Williamson and Taylor and a 13-ball 47 from Jimmy Neesham has helped New Zealand post a massive score as Sri Lanka struggled in good batting conditions.

China successfully landed the Chang’e 4 spacecraft on the far side of the moon this morning, Beijing time, according to state news agency Xinhua, becoming the first in history to touch the lunar surface unseen by those on Earth.