Everything you need to know today

Colombo (News1st) - 1. Steps were taken to temporarily suspend the payments of salaries to Ministers and their private staff following orders issued by courts suspending activities of the Cabinet of ministers. 2. Investigations have revealed that the smuggling operation involving the stocks of heroin discovered in the seas off Beruwala was co-ordinated from Pakistan and the Maldives. 3. The Consumer Affairs Authority has filed cases against 1500 vendors who have breached laws pertaining to Consumer affairs this season, starting from the 15th November. 4. 2 people died in a motor accident at Ahangama, Hathpalaane at around 12:05 AM today. 5. All party leaders who support the SLPP are to meet the President at 12:00 noon today. 6. The Police have taken steps to increase the number of operations to nab drunk drivers during the festive season. 7. President Maithripala Sirisena stated yesterday that the court nor the Parliament can order the President to appoint a Prime Minister. 8. SP W.S.E. Jayasundera has been appointed as the new Director of the police Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). 9. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem has called for nominating someone young from the UNP as a common candidate at the next presidential election. 10. Sri Lanka Ports Authority reportedly states that 45 cruise ships have called at the Port of Colombo in the past 10 months of this year which is a 28.8 % increase compared to the corresponding period in 2017. International 1.  A powerful winter storm that hit the U.S. Southeast over the weekend knocked out power for more than 380,000 customers and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights on Sunday (December 9).