Last updated 25/04/16 21:51

A former LTTE commander who was earlier reported as abducted in the Eastern province, has been detained by Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), the police spokesperson revealed on Monday.

The commander, identified as Ram, was abducted at Thambuluvil in Amparai on Sunday after. 

He had already been through the Sri Lankan government’s ‘rehabilitation’ program after the end of the armed conflict on the island in 2009 and was only released 4 years later.

His wife had lodged a complaint with the police, but no further information has been released regarding his whereabouts.

The leader of Sri Lanka’s Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party called on Sri Lankan police to arrest Tamil National Alliance leader R Sampanthan, as investigations began against the Tamil politician.

Speaking to media in the Sinhala south, Udaya Gammanpila accused Mr Sampanthan and other TNA members of threatening national security, after they reportedly attempted to enter a Sri Lankan army camp in the Kilinochci, earlier this month.

The Sri Lankan government is in the final stages of formulating the controversial ECTA trade agreement with India, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday.

The prime minister said they were also reviewing its FTA with China.

“Additionally, we are looking at entering into such partnerships with Singapore, Turkey, USA and Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Wickremesinghe further said that the government would work on regaining the GSP+ trade concessions, just as it did for the recently lifted fisheries export restrictions.

“We plan to work towards regaining GSP Plus in the same manner and are in the process of assuring the international community that Sri Lanka abides by norms and standards expected of a democratic nation. We plan to enter into several bilateral agreements that will empower the economy and drive the country forward,” he said, while blaming the previous government for the restrictions.

The European Commission has complained to the government about its announcement of the lifting of the fisheries export ban, saying that it had not been formally announced.

Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) has sought clarification on why the announcement was made by the fisheries ministry, the Sunday Times reported.

The Pakistani president Mamnoon Hussain said that his country and Sri Lanka need to increase cooperation to strengthen their relationship, the Daily Mirror reported.

Speaking to a high level Sri Lankan delegation led by the speaker of the parliament Karu Jayasuriya, the president said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka.