Pakistan is pushing hard to secure an agreement in principle with Sri Lanka to sell its multi-role combat aircraft JF-17 Thunder to the island nation, according to a UK-based defense publication. Following the first export deal for its JF-17 multirole fighter to Myanmar, Pakistan is expected to be pushing hard for a follow-up agreement with Sri Lanka that would mark an important step in further extending its defense co-operation footprint in the Indian Ocean region, a report in IHS Jane's Defense Weekly said.

The report quoting diplomatic sources say that efforts to secure an agreement in principle for the sale of the JF-17 Thunder to Sri Lanka are likely to be high on the agenda of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his scheduled visit to Sri Lanka in the first week of January 2016. Sharif's upcoming talks in Colombo follow a mid-November visit to Pakistan by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) commander Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala during which the JF-17 was showcased by the Pakistanis. Immediately after the visit AM Bulathsinhala was invited to send an evaluation team of technicians and pilots to PAC's Kamra facilities near Islamabad, where the JF-17 is produced.

Earlier this year a Taiwanese news web site said that Sri Lanka will become the first foreign country to acquire Pakistan's multi-role combat aircraft JF-17 Thunder, and the Pakistan Air Force will begin delivery of the fighters to Sri Lanka from 2017. Reportedly, Sri Lanka's order will be for around 18-24 aircraft. The lightweight, single-engine multi-role third-generation combat aircraft is developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China and it can be used for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception.

In October state-owned English weekly Sunday Observer reported that India has offered Sri Lanka its brand new, home-made 'Tejas' Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to counter an offer from Pakistan to sell its JF-17 fighters. The SLAF, which already flies several other Chinese-made aircraft types, is currently looking to upgrade its fighter capabilities. SLAF officials have reportedly argued that despite the high price tags, given the emerging global geo-political scenario, Sri Lanka needs to replace its currently ageing fleet of Israeli Kfirs and MIg 27s with a new generation of high technology aircraft to replenish Sri Lanka's air defense capability.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said.

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Following are 11 key points from the President’s Government Policy Statement;

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala informed Parliament that nomination of Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been accepted as the Opposition Leader of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

National People's Power (NPP) Gampaha MP Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed his name, and the nomination was confirmed by Vijitha Herath.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3. The adjournment followed the President’s delivery of the government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament earlier today.