Military awards and privileges given to the former army commander of Sri Lanka, Sarath Fonseka, were restored by the Sri Lankan president on Tuesday reports the Colombo Page.

Sarath Fonseka, who claims credit for planning the entire military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),  is widely celebrated as the military figurehead that led the Sri Lankan military through the war, in which over 70,000 Tamil civilians are thought to have been killed  in the final stages.

The US president, Barack Obama, speaking in New Delhi this week, said India could play a "positive" role in the region from Burma to Sri Lanka, reiterating "that with power comes responsibility".

“India and the United States are not just natural partners — I believe that America can be India’s best partner,” said Mr Obama, during a speech at New Delhi town hall which focused heavily on human rights.

"I believe if we are to be two global partners then our two nations must do more around the world together."

"To ensure international security and peace, multi-lateral institutions created in the 20th century need to be updated for the 21st," he said, reiterating his support for "a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."

Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Hugo Swire will visit the North-East during his forthcoming visit to Sri Lanka, according to the British mission in Colombo.

Mr Swire is due to land on Wednesday and will travel to Jaffna during his three-day stint in the country, where he will meet with NPC Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran and members of the civil society.

"I am delighted to be visiting Sri Lanka again so soon after the recent elections, and welcome the early progress made by President Sirisena towards a more democratic and accountable government," the high commission quoted him.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will arrive in Sri Lanka on March 14 for the first state visit by an Indian leader since Rajiv Gandhi in 1987, according to the Daily FT.

Sri Lanka’s new president, Maithripala Sirisena will visit India, his first foreign visit since assuming office, on the February 16.

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera visited Delhi and met with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Modi.

Both countries pledged to strengthen ties between them during the talks, which focused on a range of issues, including political and economic cooperation, the repatriation of Tamil refugees and the fishermen dispute.

The chief minister of the Northern Provincial Council, CV Wigneswaran and a delegation of Northern Provincial Councillors, called for the release of 6500 acres of Tamil land taken by  the Sri Lankan military and release of registered and unregistered Tamil political prisoners.

The delegation made the demands noting that several unregistered political prisoners were being held in secret captivity during a meeting with the newly appointed Resettlement Minister DM Swaminathan in Colombo on Saturday.