DMK and MDMK today expressed concern over Sri Lankan President Maithiripala Sirisena’s reported statement that his country’s new constitution will not have the concept of ‘Federation,’ saying it will affect the ethnic Tamils.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein arrived in Sri Lanka, a short while ago, for a four-day official visit.

The International Monetary Fund on Friday urged Sri Lanka to take steps to reduce its fiscal deficit and raise tax revenues to help improve its balance of payments.

President Maithripala Sirisena says he would implement a special program to broaden the opportunities in the market for the innovations by strengthening of the innovators.

Visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is scheduled to visit Jaffna, Trincomalee and Kandy in addition to Colombo, UN compound in Sri Lanka announced today.

Former Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kotelawala’s wife, Cecille Kotelawala, is currently receiving treatments at a private hospital in Colombo, the police said.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday will leave on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka during which she will attend a meeting of the joint commission of the two countries.

Sri Lanka’s war-battered minority Tamils welcomed the national anthem being sung in their language at Independence Day celebrations on Thursday for the first time in 67 years as a “giant step” towards reconciliation.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe in his Independence Day message said. “On this Independence Day, let us strive to understand the challenges before us as a nation and determine to give of ourselves wholeheartedly to a noble vision of taking our country forward.

As we commemorate independence, let us dedicate ourselves to provide a truly ethical, virtuous, wise and equitable service to all. Let us pledge to consolidate on peace and freedom achieved and build this future for our land and people, stated President Maithripala Sirisena in his Independence Day message.

Sri Lanka’s ruling United National Party (UNP) today signed a collective agreement with the Democratic Party (DP) led by former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka at Temple Trees in Colombo.

A Sri Lankan-born man received an 18-month suspended sentence in Germany on Tuesday (Feb 2) for membership of the LTTE which Germany considers a terrorist organisation.

Deputy Minister Nishantha Muttuhettigama, who visited remanded Yositha Rajapaksa at the Welikada prison, said yesterday that the FCID had no legal powers and they as Deputy Ministers appointed by the SLFP were ready to resign from their portfolios if political witch hunt by the FCID was not stopped.

“All parties should get together to fulfill the responsibility to protect the environment for the well-being of all beings including humans”, says President Maithripala Sirisena.

Four suspects including Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who are in remand custody over the probe into CSN financial irregularities, have decided to decline food provided by the prison.

KANDY: Former President Rajapaksa yesterday urged the government to hold local government elections. Else, legal action would be taken against it, he warned.