Several attempts were made in the recent past to sell the publication, which is currently owned by Namal Rajapaksa's former rugby coach - Asanga Seneviratne.

However, the newspaper is facing closure as no buyers have come forward, reports add.

Although a main stakeholder of the liquor manufacturing company - W.M. Mendis had initially agreed to purchase the newspaper, he had later changed his mind after the present administration had urged him to purchase the newspaper together with the editorial staff, reports further say.