Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary will be able to access a proposed new electronic identity card system without the need for any court orders, reports EconomyNext.

The new system, which is being challenged in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court later this month, is reportedly being designed without any privacy laws in place.

EconomyNext reports fears over the security of data held by the government, reporting that there have been hacks in similar electronics citizens databases in India.

“Critics have said it lays the foundation for a 'big brother' police surveillance state,” it added.

A Tamil National Alliance candidate in the upcoming Local Government polls was allegedly assaulted by a supporter of the paramilitary group, EPDP, on Saturday. 

The assault took place as the victim, 67 year old Kasilingham Satkunathevan, was campaigning door to door with leaflets.

The EPDP supporter became angered that Mr Satkunathevan had come to his house to campaign, hitting him with a broom stick and an axe handle. 

Sri Lanka's police force is to increase security operations across the island ahead of the upcoming local government elections, the police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara was quoted by the Colombo Page as saying. 

The Inspector General of Police has "given instructions to seize illegal firearms, set up instant roadblocks covering all island wide police stations and intensify operations to arrest suspects on warrants", the paper reported. 

The police had to date received 54 complaints of election law violations, including damage to property and threat to persons. 

The deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday told reporters he was confident that all the fishermen currently detained by Sri Lankan authorities would be released. 

Speaking to reporters in Rameswaram, a day after the chief minister sent a letter to Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, Mr O Panneerselvam said the state government would prevail on Delhi to take up the issue. 

A delegation of fishermen had presented a letter to the Tamil Nadu government asking them to ensure the speedy release of detained fishermen and their boats, The Hindu reported. 

The Sri Lankan military declared open a new Officer’s Mess at its 621 Brigade Headquarters this week, as the army continues to consolidate its presence in the North-East.

Sri Lanka’s commander in the Vanni Major General Kumudu Perera declared open the new building in a military ceremony that took place, complete with Kandyan dancers.

Three board members of a Tamil temple who were arrested on charges of damaging an archaeological site have had their remand extended until January 11th to give more time to Sri Lanka’s archaeology department and Sampur police to produce actual evidence that the location in question was a designated archaeological conservation site.

Sri Lanka is planning to carry out an island wide household debt survery, the country's Central Bank Governor, Indrajit Coomaraswamy was quoted by Economy Next as saying. 

“As part of our macro prudential surveillance, a systemic risk survey is being conducted on a biannual basis to identify systemic risks to the domestic financial system.Stress tests are to be developed for Licensed Finance Companies LFCs. In addition, a country-wide assessment of household indebtedness is to be carried out," Mr Coomaraswamy was quoted as saying. 

Thirteen Tamils accused of fraud, falsifying documents, extortion and money laundering in order to fund the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are to stand trial in Switzerland on Monday.

The men, from Germany, Switzerland and Sri Lanka, are accused of sending $15.3 million to the LTTE.

The Habeas corpus case relating to the disappearance of 12 Tamils who disappeared after surrendering to the Sri Lankan military at the end of the armed conflict in May 2009, has been postponed to March 19. 

The case which includes the disappearance of the LTTE's former political wing leader, Ezhilan and Rev. Francis Joseph, was postponed as the state attorney was absent. 

The writ was filed by 12 people, including the Northern Provincial Councillor, Ananthy Sasitharan.

China is planning to launch a satellite for Sri Lanka this year, GB Times reports. 

The project comprises over 40 launches in total which will include satellites for Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as commercial companies. 

China has planned around 30 launches in 2017 however only 18 successful launches were records. The failure of the second Long March 5 rocket to launch led to the temporary ceasing of all launches for 89 days.