UK Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire says that the UK government will not interfere in formulating the new constitution of Sri Lanka. UK Minister Hugo Swire made the observation at a press conference held in Colombo this afternoon (16). While responding to a question by Ada Derana reporter, he added that

A Sri Lankan gem trader claims that he owns a large blue star sapphire, which is said to be the world

The delayed Colombo Port City project, a plan to create a South Asian financial hub, hasbeen given the green light, the Sri Lankan ambassador to China confirmed on Friday. The $1.4 billion urban complex project will cover 233 hectaresadjoining the Port of Colombo. The deal was signed between the SriLankan government and the China Communications Construction Coin November 2013. "We feel Colombo is ideal for a South Asian financial hub,"Ambassador Karunasena Kodituwakku said in an interview withChina Daily. The location of the project will help connect businesses from India,Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Singapore and theMiddle East, he said.

Northern Province Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran today slammed the Government at event attended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Speaking at the National Thaipongal festival in Jaffna also attended by UK State Minister Hugo Swire, the Northern Chief Minister said that while the Tamils in the North recognize the change following the elections last year, they still live in fear and suspicion. He slammed the presence of a large number of soldiers in the North, the failure to free more land held by the military and the failure to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

A total of 55 Indian fishermen, imprisoned in Sri Lankan jails have been released, while the remaining are expected to be released over the next couple of days, The Hindu reported today. Of the 104 fishermen, for whose release efforts are being taken, 55 fishermen were handed over to the Indian High Commission officials in Jaffna yesterday, an Indian government release stated.

Visiting Britain

The Government today insisted that there was no deadline to complete the accountability process on the war. Cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that the Government is in talks with the United Nations with regards to the accountability process. He reiterated that the process will be a domestic process and not a

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation presented by Msgr. Joseph Rayappu, from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Mannar, in accordance with canon 401

The British Government says it hopes to see Sri Lanka implement the resolution which it co-sponsored at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last October, ahead of the June 2016 UNHRC session. UK Minister of State Hugo Swire, who begins a visit to Sri Lanka today, said that he has been encouraged and impressed by President Maithripala Sirisena

The Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that there were no Sri Lankans among the injured in this morning's series of blasts and gunfire reported in Indonesian Capital, Jakarta.

The army today denied claims that the Giritale army camp has been sealed to conduct investigations over the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. Army spokesman Jayanath Jayaweera said that based on a court order the army is in the process of gathering the information requested by the court in relation to the case of the missing journalist. He said that a special team had been deployed to the Giritale army camp to gather the information required by court.

Indian Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar told the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R.Sampanthan here on Wednesday, that India would like Sri Lanka to build on what has already been achieved in the area of devolution of power when it drafts its new constitution. Jaishankar was alluding to the devolution package contained in the 13 th. Constitutional Amendment which was inspired by the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987.

Defence counsel appearing for the accused arrested in connection with the murder of former TNA Jaffna district MP Nadaraja Raviraj raised issues relating to the credibility of the state witness in the case suggesting that he has given false statements to police. Witness Wijeya Wickrema Manamperige Sanjaya Preethi Viraj who was made a state witness in the Raviraj murder trial was yesterday cross-examined by defence counsel before Colombo Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage.

Tempers flared at yesterday's Cabinet meeting when Trade Minister Rishad Bathiudeen vehemently shot down a proposal by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera to close down the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Baghdad. Tension flared as arguments were flung to and fro by the two ministers for almost an entire hour as Bathiudeen told President Sirisena, who chaired the proceedings, to place on record his opposition to the Foreign Minister's proposal to close down our mission in Baghdad. Bathiudeen argued that Iraq had been supportive of Sri Lanka throughout the secessionist war and also continued to buy Sri Lanka tea in support of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to be briefed on the concerns of the Tamils in the North. Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar gave this assurance when he met the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in Colombo today. Jaishankar is in the country for brief talks with the Sri Lankan Government and also to set the groundwork for a visit to Sri Lanka next month by Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

After the Homagama Magistrate observed, on Monday, that the Army Commander could be arrested and charged if he did not cooperate with probe into the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, the Military Intelligence Corps camp at Giritale (3 MIC) was sealed by Army Commander Crishantha de Silva last morning to provide conditions conducive the investigation, informed sources said. They said that, on the instruction of the Army Commander, the Military Police had taken over the camp to help carry out the probe.

India highly appreciates the statesman-like approach of President Maithripala Sirisena, Indian Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar said at a meeting with Sirisena today.

The Medical faculty students attached to the University of Jaffna today took the street to protest against the move by the government to allow students from private medical university to carry out their practicals in the state hospitals. The protesters alleged that these private medical universities in the country opened intakes twice in a year with low Advanced Level (AL) qualifications as basic qualification to enter. Students marched from the faculty premises towards the Jaffna Teaching Hospital building.

The Sri Lankan Government today endorsed the declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict. At an event held at the United Nations on 25th September 2013 in New York, 122 Member States of the United Nations endorsed the declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict. Today, this declaration is endorsed by 155 UN member states. The Foreign Ministry said that the Government of Sri Lanka, in manifestation of its firm commitment to uphold, promote and protect the human rights of all, and denounce sexual violence, has decided to endorse the declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict.

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith Monday said that political parties based on race and religion should be banned. He said that the authorities should have more courage to ban such extremist organizations that lead the country to choas. The Archbishop added that these extremist groups are driving the people towards division.

Opposition leader and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R Sampanthan today insisted that there is no more a demand for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka. Speaking in Parliament today the TNA leader said that the Tamils have, during the recent elections, backed a political solution within the framework of a united and undivided and indivisible Sri Lanka. He said the Tamils hope the new Constitution which has been proposed, will resolve the National issue. Sampanthan said that the demand for a separate state resulted in a war which pushed the country backwards.

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar held talks in Colombo today, sources told the Colombo Gazette. Jaishankar is in the country for brief talks with the Sri Lankan Government and also to set the groundwork for a visit to Sri Lanka next month by Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Political sources confirm that SLFP representatives including former heads of provincial councils and members of Parliament have met with former President Mahinda Rajapaksha today. The meeting has taken place around 9 am at Mahinda Rajapaksha

The Homagama Magistrate yesterday observed that the Army Commander could be arrested and charge sheet filed if he does not cooperate with investigations into the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake made this observation consequent to a complaint by Senior State Counsel (SSC) Dileepa Peiris who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would not draft the Constitution in a manner that affects the unitary status of the nation, said Petroleum Resources Development Minister Chandima Weerakkody. He also said that the status given to Buddhism in the Constitution will remain,while ensuring the rights of other religions. He said that SLFP assures that the new Constitution that is to be drafted would protect the country

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein would visit Sri Lanka in the first-half of February, Resident Coordinator of United Nations in Sri Lanka Subinay Nandy said. He revealed this while paying a courtesy call on Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at his Ministry. He said among High Commissioner Zeid

A crucial meeting is scheduled to be held in Jaffna today to iron out differences between the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members and its Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran. The TNA members are expected to ask the CM why the Tamil People's Council (TPC) was established under his leadership with committees for subjects such as Health, Education, Constitutional Reforms etc. They are also expected to ask the CM whether he has done so because he has found Health and Education Ministers of the NPC wanting.

Mihin Lanka Flight FJ3001 from Sri Lanka to Madurai scheduled to depart on Saturday (9) was delayed by six hours, sources said. Speaking to Ceylon Today, a passenger of the flight said that all passengers were requested to disembark from the flight after one passenger complained of seeing a rat in the aeroplane. The Airport Officials had then proceeded to search the aircraft in order to remove the rat, which took nearly six hours. Accordingly, the flight which was to depart at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday (9) departed only at 13:12 in the afternoon.

In the wake of Indian media reports claiming that Sri Lanka has abandoned the decision to buy fighter aircraft from Pakistan due to strong pressure from India, the Government yesterday denied signing of any deal with Pakistan to purchase eight JF -17 Thunder combat aircraft. Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi vehemently denying all media reports on Sri Lanka signing an agreement to purchase fighter aircrafts from Pakistan, said the government has not yet decided to buy anything from Pakistan.