The Sri Lankan air force is currently in the process of finalising the purchase of further jets, reported the Daily Mirror. 

The ministry of defence was granted permission to proceed with the purchase by the president and Cabinet. 

“Contemporary aircraft which would be suitable for the coming years would be purchased,” SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne was quoted as saying. 

Sixteen Kfir jets were bought from Israel between 1995 and 2005. At least seven were destroyed. 

Kumar Ponnambalam, the human rights lawyer and former leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), who was assassinated 17 years ago was remembered by the Tamil National People's Front today.

The TNPF held a remembrance event at their headquarters in Kandharmadam.

Tamil children at a nursery in Jaffna were taken on a tour of a Sri Lankan air force base by the military last week.

The visit, organised to “enhance mutuality and strengthen Reconciliation process”, according to an official website, was organised by the Sri Lankan Headquarters Security Force (Jaffna).

Photograph: The Island

A hardline Sinhala party led by Buddhist monks has accused the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) of “racism” and called on the Sri Lankan government to dismantle the provincial council system.

A scheduled debate in Sri Lanka’s parliament on a proposed new constitution has been postponed with no new dates set, reports The Island.

The debate was due to take place on January 9th, but has now been cancelled, according to a “top parliamentary official”. No reason has been given for the postponement.

A Point Pedro football team paid tribute to slain human rights lawyer and politician, Kumar Ponnambalam, during its match today, marking the 17th year since his assassination.

Kumar Ponnambalam, a prominent human rights lawyer and leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) was assassinated in a busy Colombo suburb during Chandrika Kumaratunge's government, his killers have not been brought to justice.

Relatives of Maaveerar, fallen LTTE cadres, and former cadres have been issued court summons after attempting to construct a monument at the LTTE cemetery in Kangapuram.

Six people have been told to appear before Kilinochchi magistrates court after beginning work on a general memorial to Maaveerar at the Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam, in which thousands of Tamils recently gathered to mark Maaveerar Naal in November.

The individuals were taken for questioning at the Kilinochchi police station today for having failed to get permission to carry out works or services at the cemetery from the divisional council (pradesiya sabai).

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam has written to the Indian Prime Minister once more, condemning a reported statement by a Sri Lankan minister, which said Colombo would keep vessels seized from Indian fishermen.

The statement attributed to Sri Lankan Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera, came following a meeting between the two governments, where both sides agreed to free fishermen held under their custody.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomed the recommendations of Sri Lanka’s Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, especially the call for international judges to be involved in an accountability mechanism.

In a tweet sent out on Thursday morning, the official United Nations Human Rights Office account said High Commissioner Zeid “welcomes CTF recs, esp clear backing of hybrid court with local & foreign judges”.

A further tweet added, “Zeid has always urged the creation of a hybrid court in #SriLanka”.

Sri Lankan Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the Palaly airport in the Northern Province will be developed to serve as a “regional airport” for Sri Lanka and South India.

There has been pressure by India to develop Palaly into an international airport to improve relations between the North of Sri Lanka and India – especially Tamil Nadu. Prior to Palaly being turned into a military base during the conflict, there had been air services between Palaly, Madras and Tiruchi.