Sri Lanka on Saturday conferred its highest civilian honour, the Mithra Vibhushana, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said the award reflects the historic ties and deep friendship between the two countries.

The honour was introduced in 2008 and has been bestowed on former Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the past. The award was presented to Modi by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a ceremony at the presidential secretariat in Colombo.

“It is an honour for me to be awarded the Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana by President Dissanayake,” Modi said, adding that this was also an honour for 1.4 billion Indians.

The recipient is awarded a citation and a silver medal to be worn around the neck, studded and adorned with nine types of Sri Lankan gems and the symbols of a lotus, globe, sun, moon and sheaves of rice.

The Dharma Chakra on the medal reflects the shared Buddhist heritage that has shaped the cultural traditions of both nations. The Pun Kalasa or ceremonial pot adorned with sheaves of rice symbolises prosperity and renewal.

Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa today the Opposition Leader's office said. The discussion focused on bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and India, aporcding to sources from the office of the Opposition Leader said.

In the wake of the US reciprocal tariffs, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of the conclusion of the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India while operationalising free trade agreements with Thailand and Singapore.

Tamil Rights Group (TRG) welcomes the sanctions imposed by the UK on four Sri Lankan war criminals and wholeheartedly commends the UK Government for taking this resolute action against individuals responsible for grave human rights violations and atrocity crimes perpetrated against Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Preparations are currently underway at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (04) for a three-day official visit.

The Court of Appeal today ordered the relevant Returning Officers to accept around 37 nominations which were originally rejected for the Local Government Elections. The Court of Appeal bench comprised Justice (Acting President) M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando.

A written notice has been sent to the President’s Secretary and the Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development by the Election Commission requesting for steps to provide the seasonal food package after the Local government elections.

Indictments have been filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grandmother Daisy Forrest, before the Colombo High Court over allegations of money laundering involving Rs. 73 million.

An inmate at the Boossa High Security Prison in Galle has been reported dead after being allegedly assaulted with a sharp weapon. It was reported that he was hacked to death by another group of inmates inside the prison. The body of the deceased inmate is currently at the Karapitiya Hospital.

Sri Lanka has been slapped with 44 percent reciprocal tariff by the US, which would impact the local export sector, particularly apparel. According to President Donald Trump's new tariff, the island nation has been imposed a 10 percent baseline tax and a 44 percent reciprocal tax, making it 54 percent effective.

The Court of Appeal announced that its order on the writ petitions challenging the rejection of nominations for the upcoming local government elections will be delivered tomorrow. Court of Appeal bench, comprised Justice (Acting President) M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando.