MADURAI: Though Sri Lanka ordered the release of 81 boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen on February 12, ahead of President Maithripala Sirisena visit to India, the inordinate delay in repatriating the boats has become a cause of concern for the fishers in the state.

Sri Lankans worldwide are calling a reference US Secretary of State John Kerry made to Sri Lanka’s “30-year war on Tamils” a distortion of facts and urge that it be retracted.

Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who was under investigation for allegedly submitting forged documents to get a diplomatic passport, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said.

Asked whether she feels confident justice will prevail in the case of the murder of her father – Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, Hirunika Premachandra, Western Provincial Councilor, said: ” I think so and very soon, maybe even next week.”

Nearly 18,000 soldiers who were deployed to work on development projects under the former Ministry of Defence and Urban Development will go back to their regiments soon. This is in keeping with the pledge made in the election manifesto of President Maithripala Sirisena who promised to stop the employment of military personnel in occupations that undermine their dignity.

Former minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi Weerawansa who is alleged to have obtained diplomatic and general passports by submitting birth certificate with forged names and dates of birth, has reportedly fled her home according to the CID team assigned to arrest her said.

In a sign of improving relations with the U.S., Sri Lanka has terminated lobbying contracts worth tens of thousands of dollars a month that the previous government had signed to help it win friends in Washington amid war crimes allegations, the nation’s ambassador says.

Sri Lanka has agreed to proceed with the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as it will strengthen the country’s economic and trade sectors, a local media report said here Friday.

The legislation which makes it compulsory to carry pictorial warnings covering 80 per cent of cigarette packs was unanimously passed in Parliament Friday.

Current Chief of Staff of the Army Major General Krishantha de Silva has been appointed as the 21st Commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Arjuna Ranatunga today expressed dismay at the delay in punishing of corrupt officials charged with misconduct under the previous regime.

Two individuals were drown when their boat capsized in Buduruwagala reservoir yesterday (19) after-noon. Police said that these two individuals were brothers and residents of Koslanda on an excursion with some others.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka between March 13 and 15, Cabinet spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said.