US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for South and Southeast Asia Dr Amy Searight discussed accountability and justice mechanisms with senior Sri Lankan military leaders, as she concluded her visit to the island this week.

A US embassy press release said Dr Searight met with Sri Lanka’s Chief Defence Staff and the respective Tri-Service Commanders, “to stress the need for land returns, reconciliation and a credible transitional justice mechanism, and to discuss future security requirements”.

Dr Searight also “placed a priority on meeting with human rights activists and emphasized the “key role civil society plays in informing military policy and defense relationships”,” added the press release.

“She raised their concerns about accountability and reconciliation efforts in discussions with senior military leaders,” it further said.

The Government Medical Officers' Association says they will join strike action in January, over the proposed Indo-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).

GMOA Secretary, Dr. Nalinda Herath said the protest would address issues that arose from the budget and the establishment of a private medical college.

Dr. Herath said that a visit by officials to India revolved around an agreement that states that the government will open some sectors to the Indian economy.

The secretary said the plan was an invasion of Sri Lanka’s job market, therefore the risk in this is that there is no assurance on the quality of Indian employees.

However Deputy Finance Minister Harsha de Silva said that Indian doctors would not be able to set up clinics.

Indian and Sri Lankan officials discussed plans for the proposed Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) at talks in New Delhi on Monday.

Indian Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia and Sri Lanka's secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce TMKB Tennakoon led the talks, which came as unions in Sri Lanka protested over a feared "invasion" of Indian labour, that is believed by the Sinhala south to be the future result of any economic agreement with India.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Esala Weerakoon said the officials exchanged ideas about the kind of areas each side wants incorporated in the ETCA.

"There will be a fifth round of talks either in January or February next year, when the two sides will put together a framework agreement. The agreement will be finalised by June, 2016," he told The Island.

The former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday visited army officials detained over the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Daily Mirror reported.

Mr Rajapaksa met the five members of the security forces, including two lieutenant colonels and sergeant majors  at the prison Hospital in Welikada.

In September the military was forced to deny reports that it was blocking an investigation into Mr Eknaligoda's disappearance.

"Sri Lankan Army needs to be educated on future warfare to become a modernized army by 2025," said Mr Wickremsinghe, adding that the government hopes to launch “a program on future warfare to ensure the army is geared to handle different types of security threats and face any situation in future”

Sri Lankan army officers in Mullaitivu distributed “school accessories and educational items” to Tamil schoolchildren last week, despite continued criticism of military intrusion into civilian life in the North-East.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Biswal, today arrived in Sri Lanka, only days after a visit by another senior US official.

According to the Daily Mirror. Ms Biswal is expected to hold talks with the key government officials including Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and President Maithripala Sirisena.

Earlier this week, Counselor Tom Shannon visited Sri Lanka, during which he also met with Tamil civil society activist in Trincomalee, in the North-East.