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.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has signed his first gazette, summoning the Army, Navy, and Air Force for the maintenance of public order in specific areas.

The Gazette Extraordinary detailing the division of institutions and responsibilities under the new Ministries has been published, the President's Media Division said.

Former Kalutara districtMP and Minister Kumara Welgama passed away at the age of 74. He passed away while receiving treatment in a private hospital in Colombo.

The government is to launch a probe into the controversial "e-visa" fraud, in outsourcing visa processing to a foreign company. The government restored the online visa application platform, leaving out the foreign consortium following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed an immediate internal audit regarding the progress of expenditure allocations within the Sports Ministry. This directive was given during a meeting held yesterday, with heads of institutions operating under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.

The majority of MPs who supported Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Presidential Election have now decided to back Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa’s candidacy for Prime Minister in the upcoming General Election, former Governor Navin Dissanayake told journalists on Friday (27).

While congratulating President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory, US President Joe Biden said he looks forward to working with President Dissanayake to advance peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Supreme Court today initiated contempt of court proceedings against former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena for failing to pay the full compensation owed to the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Priyantha Weerasooriya has been appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect.

All police security personnel assigned to former Parliamentarians and Ministers have been recalled, police said. However, Senior DIG (Administration) Lalith Pathinayake told the Daily Mirror that police security personnel provided for the former Speaker, former Deputy Speaker and the Opposition Leader will remain in place.

The government will begin negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) immediately and proceed with activities related to the extended credit facility, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader Rishad Bathiudeen has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to cancel the permit for a liquor bar which was newly established on Main Road, Mannar.

India does not seek to control every political move of neighbours, and does not expect that the political dynamics within neighbouring countries will adhere to what India may think is desirable, but Delhi is confident that fundamental realities of interdependence will ensure that relationships with neighbours remains constructive and positive, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said.

Muditha Peiris has resigned as Chairman of Litro Gas Company, effective from tomorrow (27). Peiris, who took up the position on 13 June, 2022, had previously served as Managing Director of both Litro Gas Lanka Ltd and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy have informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves to meet consumption needs.

Former Parliamentarian and Minister Dilum Amunugama has joined the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP). Party leader Dilith Jayaweera said in a message posted on X that Amunugama has been appointed as the National Organiser of the Mawbima Janatha Party.

The Supreme Court today ordered that Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya be kept in prison custody within the Supreme Court premises till court proceedings resume in the evening.

The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) today urged the public to maintain peace both before and after the general elections, just as they did during the Presidential election.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has signed an Extraordinary Gazette notification to dissolve the Parliament of Sri Lanka, effective from tonight (24). According to reports, the Gazette notification has been sent to the Government Printer for immediate publication.

New governors were sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.