The National Freedom Front (NFF) slammed Sri Lanka’s co-operation with the United States and warned that those who fought against the LTTE would be brought before an international war crimes tribunal.

Colombo District MP and NFF spokesperson Wimal Weerawansa told The Island that Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should not “adopt a course of action that could be inimical to national security interests”.

He went on to state that allegations of war crimes should be dealt with “without any external input”.

Sri Lanka’s defence secretary stated that despite the end of the island’s armed conflict over 6 years ago, the government “must remain vigilant about emerging threats”.

Defence Secretary B M U D Basnayake made his comments at the‘Defence Seminar – 2015’, on ‘National Security in the context of Emerging Global Threats’ at the Colombo Galadari Hotel, which started earlier on Tuesday.

“Although the defeat of the terrorists in May 2009 paved the way for peace and for rapid post conflict development, our security forces and law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant about emerging threats including drug smuggling, human trafficking, and organized crime,” said Mr Basnayake.

"This sum is in addition to the United States’ pledge of $1 million for resettlement assistance in Sampur, where U.S. Embassy identified ‎two schools for future development to support Sri Lanka's efforts towards reconciliation."

The Bodu Bala Sena has called on Sri Lankan authorities to stop the witch hunt against members of military intelligence for the benefit of “international conspirators”, the Daily Mirror reports.

General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara said foreign elements wanted to portray the army as “atrocious killers”.

Sri Lanka’s Monetary Board held key interest rates unchanged on Monday citing low inflation, steady foreign remittances and earnings from tourism, Lanka Business Online reported.

The money authority said dollar inflows, which were expected to bolster foreign reserves, contributed to the decision.

The Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank were held unchanged at 6% and 7.5% respectively.

“Going forward, the inflation outlook and expectations remain favourable for the remainder of the year, supported by improved domestic supply conditions and subdued global commodity prices,” the monetary board said, according to LBO.

Leaders from parties which make up the Tamil National Alliance have rejected proposals for a domestic investigation into the mass killings of Tamils carried out during the final stages of the armed conflict and reiterated their support for an international accountability mechanism.

The Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) and the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) met in Colombo and agreed that only an international mechanism would bring about true accountability and justice.

M. K. Shivajilingam, a Northern Provincial Council member, recalled the failure of past domestic Sri Lankan commissions that had a degree of international involvement, such as the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons that was constituted in February 2007.

"As a partner of the TNA, the TELO dismiss an internal investigation and will continue to demand an international investigation," he said.

The Sri Lankan army will start a Joint Field Training Exercise in the Eastern Province this week with the navy and air force, announced the Army Chief of Staff Major General Jagath Dias.

The exercise, entitled ‘Cormorant Strike’, will be the sixth tri-forces Joint Field Training Exercise, announced the recently promoted general.