Sri Lanka’s Deputy Transport Minister has had to reassure Sri Lankan media that the loss-making Mattala Airport, currently dubbed ‘the world’s emptiest international airport’ would never be sold.

A deal with India will see the the Airports Authority of India (AAI) taking over 70% stake of the airport in a joint venture with Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

“The joint venture with the Indian party would be a win-win situation for both parties because the profits as well as the losses will be borne by the parties at a ratio of 70 to 30,” Deputy Transport Minister, Ashok Abeysinghe said.

The UN Refugee Agency has said it is alarmed by Australia’s deportation of a Tamil asylum seeker which has left his partner, a recognised refugee, alone with their 11-month-old daughter.

UNHCR spokesperson Andre Mahecic said the agency is alarmed by a separation of a Sri Lankan refugee family in Sydney by the Government of Australia. 

This latest incident goes beyond a refusal to reunite families, to instead actively and indefinitely separate them, the spokesperson said.

A case against two Northern Provincial Council members, T Ravikaran and M K Shivajilingam for allegedly interrupting the government officials from doing their work, is set to take place at Mullaitivu court on January 7, 2019. 

The case was adjourned after Mullaitivu police, who had filed the case against the two members, requesting an extension yesterday when it came before the judge. 

The head of Batticaloa District Tamil Journalists' Association and independent journalist, V Krishnakumar was called for investigation by the Terrorism Investigation Division on Monday. 

Mr Krishnakumar was called to the notorious 4th floor and accused of having links with former senior LTTE members and diaspora organisations. 

Karaichchi Prathesa Sabai in Kilinochchi today passed a resolution demanding that military run barbers are banned. 

The resolution calls for the military to be prohibited from running civilian livelihood activities without the Prathesa Sabai's approval. 

Members of the Prathesa Sabai experessed concerns over the military's continuing involvement in civilian affairs and that they military appeared to be targetting young Tamil boys as customers by offering discounted, fashionable hair cuts. 

Sri Lankan police officers from the Organised Crimes Prevention Division today investigated the chief minister of the Northern Province, C V Wigneswaran and local journalists over alleged supportive statements about the former UNP minister, Vijayakala Maheswaran. 

The then state minister said at an event in the North-East that a resurgence of the LTTE was needed in order to deal with the rise in violent crime. She was forced to resign following condemnation by Sri Lankan politicians, fellow UNP party members and MPs for her remarks.  

Four Indian fishermen have been arrested on Monday by the Sri Lankan navy for allegedly smuggling cannabis. 

The navy stopped the boat in which they were travelling, close to Neduntivu. 

The arrest comes as the Sri Lankan government announced its decision to implement the death penalty for drug trafficking, and the governments of India and Sri Lanka continue to discuss the ongoing arrests of fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy. 

The Russian Embassy has reportedly contacted Sri Lanka’s Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera to seek an explanation over claims that Moscow had funded a propaganda unit for Joint Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa.

According to a report in The Island, a spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Colombo told the paper that it “had noted Minister Samaraweera’s statement and requested an explanation from the Foreign Ministry”.

Two former Sri Lankan police officers have been granted bail by a court in Mount Lavinia today, after they had been detained over the killing of Sinhala journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Mount Lavinia Magistrate Court’s Chief Magistrate Mohammed Mihal released the two suspects on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 for each with 2 personal bonds of the closest relatives for Rs. 1 million each, reports Colombo Page.

The Sri Lankan armed forces in Jaffna marked 22 years since the anniversary of its headquarters in the region, with a series of events including Buddhist ceremonies last month.

The Security Force Headquarters in Jaffna arranged a Chanting Pirith and a Bodhi Pooja, reported an official military website. Buddhist monks were invited to attend the proceedings, with religious ceremonies performed.