The US government said on Tuesday that it was exploring the possibility of increasing its assistance to the Sri Lankan government to help it tackle issues like governance, accountability, commerce and “much more”.

President Maithripala Sirisena left for China on a four-day official visit this evening.

The police will seek a court order to bring down ex-President’s brother and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa in order to question him over alleged financial frauds, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

The third round of talks between representatives of fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka ended in Chennai on Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, with the two sides meeting each other half way.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratane yesterday claimed that the no person accused of fraud or corruption had been appointed as a minister on Sunday and hinted there was room for more appointments as well.

Emir of the State of Qatar King Tamimi bin Hamad Al Thani was arrived in Sri Lanka short while ago.

The Sri Lankan government will release 54 Indian fishermen on Tuesday, who were apprehended by the Lankan Navy on March 21.

With SLFP joining with the UNP to form a national government, a fresh struggle is looming in Parliament for the post of the Opposition Leader.

Chairman of the Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha Manoj Pushpakumara Mendis (UPFA) was shot dead at a hotel in Hikkaduwa last night, Police said.

The leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake today said that they would make a decision whether to remain in the National Executive Committee (NEC) consequent to the formation of the National Government.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has sought Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for the immediate release of 54 fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday.

Lambasting President Maithripala Sirisena’s appointing of 26 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs as Ministers as being a shameless move flying in the face of the people’s mandate, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said that they would rethink their role in supporting the 100-day plan.

Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago at a special function held at the Defence Ministry ground.