The Canadian government has announced David McKinnon will be the new High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, taking over from Shelley Whiting.

“Shelley's left big shoes to fill but I could not be happier or more honoured,” said Mr McKinnon on Twitter, after the announcement was made.

In a press release, the Canadian government said it is “steadfast in selecting diplomatic leaders who reflect the wide diversity of Canada, as well as the government’s commitment to promoting greater gender parity.”

Ms Whiting held the post of High Commissioner to Sri Lanka since 2012.

The head of Sri Lanka’s army warned that deserters posed a “threat to society” according to a report in The Island, and called on private businesses across the island not to provide them employment.

Sri Lanka’s Army Chief Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake went on to warn business in the private sector that the military could take legal action against them if they employed deserting soldiers.

“Those who had abandoned their units without following due process were a threat to the society,” he was quoted as stating.

The Sri Lankan resettlement ministry will give the army 178 million rupees to return civilian land in Keppapulavu, the minister for resettlement confirmed on Tuesday.

Resettlement Minister, D. M. Swaminathan, said during his visit to Jaffna that the 178 million amount had been requested from the treasury and would be handed over to the Sri Lankan army on receipt of approval from the cabinet.

Photographs: Shalin for Tamil Guardian

Sri Lankan soldiers will begin construction on a new home for the family of a Tamil student shot and killed by police last year.

Sri Lanka’s treasury has released funds to distribute dry food rations amongst drought affected people in 15 districts, reports Colombo Page.

The President’s office has also issued instruction to the Army to produce a performance report on how dry aid is distributed by the Divisional Secretaries across the island.

Under the President’s directive, the Ministry of Disaster Management will distribute rations in the regions of Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Ampara, Badulla, Hambantota, Vavuniya and Mannar.

China’s Ambassador pledged to help Sri Lanka's south reach development standards of Shanghai reports Colombo Page.

Speaking at an event celebrating the 70^th anniversary of China and Sri Lanka's friendship Ambassador Yi Xianliang said China will help establish a technology university in the South and also initiate a housing project for fishing communities in the area.  

The ambassador went on to call on the people of Sri Lanka to support the government to develop the country, adding that China would continue to provide assistance to the island to develop the region in similar fashion to Singapore within15 years.

Sri Lanka's prime minister told the president on Tuesday to expel the country's justice minister, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, accusing him of deliberately preventing the investigation of corruption and fraud committed by the previous government. 

The communication from the prime minister follows a meeting by the UNP Working Committee who requested My Rajapaksa to explain his position to the party, the Daily Mirror reported. However, he failed to reply, prompting the UNP to call for his expulsion. 

Officers from Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have continued to harass Mariyasuresh Easwary, who is one of the key figures of the Mullaitivu protest against disappearances which passed 150 days. 

The press rights organisation, JDS said in a statement on Monday that CID officers "have repeatedly  visited Mariyasuresh Easwary", who was earlier this month assaulted by three men who threatened to kill her. 

Special Task Force troops have been deployed in Thunnalai again since Sunday, recreating a tense situation in the Vadamaradchi area.

STF motorcycle teams patrolled Thunnalai and surrounding villages throughout Sunday and Monday as well as carrying out checking activities on the streets.

In a previous operation in early August, over 40 Tamil youths were arrested in search and round-up operations and dozens of motorcycles and other vehicles seized.

"We had breathed a sigh of relief when the troops and police withdrew after the last round of searches, but now they are back again to scare us," a Thunnalai resident said.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet ministers are planning to curtail powers of the independent Auditor General to hold those responsible for fraud accountable warned anti-corruption organisation Transparency International.

The anti-corruption organisation called on the government to keep in line with international best practices and maintain the powers vested to the Auditor General, and expressed concern at the attempts by Sri Lanka’s cabinet to edit key parts of the National Audit Bill.