Twenty Chinese nationals have been arrested in the Panadura area for allegedly engaging in online financial fraud.

According to the police, the arrests were made at a hotel in Panadura North based on intelligence received upon receiving a tipoff.

The police also reported that the individuals did not possess valid visas at the time of their arrest.

According to reports, the suspects are to be produced before the Panadura Magistrate today (Oct. 09).

The Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs has reported that only 14 official residences have been returned by former ministers so far.

A senior official from the ministry stated that 41 official residences were allocated to ministers of the previous government in Colombo and surrounding areas.

Immediately after the presidential election, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notice requesting the return of these residences.

The senior official further mentioned that legal action is planned against individuals who continue to withhold the official residences.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

The Election Commission says that observers from eight countries have been invited to monitor the upcoming General Election.
Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake has stated that these observers will come from regional countries and Russia.

Observers from the Commonwealth, European Union and the Asian Network for Free Elections are also expected to arrive for monitoring activities.