The Chinese minister of National Defence, General Liang Guanglie met President Rajapakse in Colombo on Wednesday.

The president thanked China for standing by Sri Lanka during difficult times and for “cultural cooperation” and “forthcoming economic assistance”.

Reports suggest that China is planning to pledge US$ 100 million to fund Sri Lankan Army projects in the northeast of the island.

“Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, China-Sri Lanka friendship has withstood the test of international vicissitude and we have always maintained good cooperation,” the General said, speaking at during an event at the defence college in Colombo.

“We all know that since the beginning of its reform and opening-up, China's overall national strength and international influence have grown remarkably."

"Some people in the international community suspect that China would take the road of expansion with force, and have been actively spreading the ‘China Threat Theory’.”

The Tamil detainee, Sundaram Satheeskumar, who was attacked in Galle prison last week, was transferred to Colombo National Hospital for medical treatment, reports Uthayan. 

Satheeskumar who was left in a coma after the attack, suffered extensive bleeding around his brain due to a significant head injury.

Former chairman of Sri Lanka’s tourism, Nalaka Godahewa has been announced by the government as the new market regulator for the country - the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

His predecessor, Tilak Karunaratne, resigned in early August citing widespread market malpractice and impunity. Many investors have claimed that stock exchange is over regulated and Godahewa’s “market friendly” charisma has hopes to succeed. 

But some have noted that regulations will be difficult to enforce even under the new chief as investors are powerful enough to fend off any probes.

After three years of rehabilitation and reconciliation through the state discliplined media and having the military on your doorstep, Sri Lanka recently took to doing a spot-check, looking for the tell-tale signs of those who just refuse to learn the 'truth'.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha and other party leaders have slammed Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, for saying that India would continue to provide training to Sri Lanka since it was a friendly nation.

“I am surprised to learn that the Government of India has openly declared that the said training will go on since Sri Lanka is a friendly country.

Having been baffled, incredulous and frustrated by the UK FCO's travel advisory warning, the Sri Lankan government now fears that other countries could follow suit with "copycat" advisory warnings.

Speaking to the Sri Lankan Sunday Times, the External Affairs Ministry's Secretary, Karunatilleke Amunugama, said,