Liquor stores islandwide will be closed on Tuesday, May 06 in view of the Local Government elections.

Excise Chief U.L. Udaya Kumara announced that retail liquor outlets will remain closed during the period between Monday, May 05 closing time to opening time on Wednesday, May 07.

However, this ruling is exempted for in-house guests of all Tourist Board approved hotels and boutique villas.

Police are investigating alleged underworld threats faced by two well known journalists, reports say.

Complaints have been made that senior journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama, who hosts Hiru Channel programs and runs the YouTube channel ‘Talk with Chamuditha’ is facing threats from the notorious “Dehi Bale’s” group while M. Chamika, who of the “Neth FM Balumgala” programme is facing threats from underworld kingpin – Kanjipani Imran.

Following complaints made to the Ministries of Defence and Public Security, an investigation has been initiated on the instructions of the Acting IGP – SDIG Priyantha Weerasuriya.

Campaigning for the local government elections will conclude at midnight tonight (May 03), as per Election Commission’s directives that all campaigning must end 48 hours before the polls.

The elections are scheduled to be held on May 06.