In a special statement on the process of drafting a new Constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the country could not be divided and that no one had the slightest intention of diluting the unitary nature of the country through the new Constitution. He said the new Constitution was being drafted within the parameters of the Sixth Amendment to the 1983 Constitution which prohibits the setting up of a separate state within the territory of Sri Lanka.

The British government has decided to appoint a non-resident Defence Adviser to Sri Lanka as part of moves to resume defence ties. UK Minister of State Hugo Swire made the announcement last week adding that the resumption of cooperation and collaboration in the field of defence is very welcome by the armed forces of both countries.

Amidst diplomatic moves and manoeuvres, Sri Lanka has decided to call off its intended purchase of JF- 17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft from Pakistan for US$ 400 million, authoritative sources confirmed. The decision has come to light following the low key visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Colombo. Indian sources remained tight -lipped when asked about the deal, except to admit that a possible purchase from Pakistan was a concern, though not raised officially during Jaishankar

President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake a four-day official visit to Germany beginning February 13. Foreign Ministry officials said his itinerary was now being worked out with their counterparts in Berlin. Though the entire delegation is not yet finalised, it is to include Faiszer Mustapha, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is also expected in Berlin days ahead of the visit to finalise arrangements.

A broader international commitment would have ensured the success of an effort to end an over two-decade-long war between the Sri Lankan military and Tamil separatists, Erik Solheim, a former peace negotiator, said at the Atlantic Council. In the absence of such a commitment, the Sri Lankan military continued a fierce offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters as ceasefire agreements between the warring sides collapsed. In May of 2009, the government announced that it had defeated the separatists, bringing the curtain down on a 26-year war. More than 100,000 people are believed to have lost their lives, at least 40,000 of them in the war

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today insisted that concerns of the Tamils in the North and East are being looked into.Responding to concerns raised by Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, the Prime Minister said that the issue over the presence of the army in the North and land held by the army is being addressed. He also said that investigations over alleged war crimes will be conducted and those found guilty will be prosecuted.The Prime Minister was speaking at the National Thaipongal festival in Jaffna attended by Wigneswaran, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and British Minister of State Hugo Swire.

Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Subinay Nandy reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to the Government of Sri Lanka in continuing to progressively work together for the benefit of the Sri Lankan people.In February, Nandy, will take up his new post as Head of Asia-Pacific Division of the Department of Political Affairs in UN New York Headquarters. Nandy, concluded his assignment in Sri Lanka after a 4 year and 8 month term and called on President Maithripala Sirisena for an exit meeting, the UN office in Colombo said. At the meeting, President Sirisena noted key priorities of the Government and reiterated the need to work together in addressing such challenges.

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.