Upon learning that a number of government ministers have secretly met with Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary minister Maithripala Sirisena, State Intelligence units are keeping a close eye on the minister, internal sources of the government say.

James Packer's Crown group faces a new set of hurdles in his quest to open a $US400 ($457) million casino in Sri Lanka after threats by the country's president that new gaming levies will be imposed should he win the upcoming January elections.

General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ven. Galgodaaththe Gnanasara Thero has stated that if there is an individual who upholds policies it is opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

An individual who had intended to lodge a complaint against the Minister of Sports, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary, Nishantha Ranatunga this morning (Nov 18), has been abducted by an unidentified group, reports say.

Science and Technology Minister and JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka today said he and Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila would resign from their ministerial positions and remain as JHU representatives and not as representatives of the UPFA.

UPFA Gampaha MP Wasantha Senanayake has cleared his belongings fromthe party office yesterday (16), political sources say.