Keheliya and Mahindananda appointed Government spokespersons

Jayalalithaa tells Modi boats in Sri Lanka must be returned

Tamil Nadu?Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps to secure the release of Indian fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody. In a letter to Modi, Ms Jayalalithaa also flagged the issue of Sri Lanka reportedly trying to rebuild a church in Katchatheevu. She said seven fishermen who had set out for fishing from Rameswaram were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy yesterday. She said it was their first day of fishing after the 45-day ban period and they

01 Jun, 2016

Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement being studied

A possible Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) is being studied, with both countries keen on pursuing the deal, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Wednesday, according to Channel News Asia. The FTA is expected to comprise of commitments in trade in goods, services, investment and government procurement. Trade and Industry (Industry) Minister S Iswaran who is in Colombo for a three-day working trip, said a decision whether to proceed could be taken soon. Toge

01 Jun, 2016

400 acres of land in North to be returned to owners

The Sri Lankan Army is planning to return shortly 400 acres of land in the Northern Province to its owners, according to a senior government official, The Hindu newspaper reported. This includes 200 acres in Tellipalai, Jaffna. Asked how soon the release of lands will take place, the official at the Resettlement Ministry said:?It may be in a few weeks.? Since Maithirpala Sirisena became President in January last year, 2,175.5 acres in the North and 1,055 acres in the East have been returned to

01 Jun, 2016