The Sri Lankan military declared open a new Officer’s Mess at its 621 Brigade Headquarters this week, as the army continues to consolidate its presence in the North-East.

Sri Lanka’s commander in the Vanni Major General Kumudu Perera declared open the new building in a military ceremony that took place, complete with Kandyan dancers.

Three board members of a Tamil temple who were arrested on charges of damaging an archaeological site have had their remand extended until January 11th to give more time to Sri Lanka’s archaeology department and Sampur police to produce actual evidence that the location in question was a designated archaeological conservation site.

Sri Lanka is planning to carry out an island wide household debt survery, the country's Central Bank Governor, Indrajit Coomaraswamy was quoted by Economy Next as saying. 

“As part of our macro prudential surveillance, a systemic risk survey is being conducted on a biannual basis to identify systemic risks to the domestic financial system.Stress tests are to be developed for Licensed Finance Companies LFCs. In addition, a country-wide assessment of household indebtedness is to be carried out," Mr Coomaraswamy was quoted as saying. 

Thirteen Tamils accused of fraud, falsifying documents, extortion and money laundering in order to fund the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are to stand trial in Switzerland on Monday.

The men, from Germany, Switzerland and Sri Lanka, are accused of sending $15.3 million to the LTTE.

The Habeas corpus case relating to the disappearance of 12 Tamils who disappeared after surrendering to the Sri Lankan military at the end of the armed conflict in May 2009, has been postponed to March 19. 

The case which includes the disappearance of the LTTE's former political wing leader, Ezhilan and Rev. Francis Joseph, was postponed as the state attorney was absent. 

The writ was filed by 12 people, including the Northern Provincial Councillor, Ananthy Sasitharan.

China is planning to launch a satellite for Sri Lanka this year, GB Times reports. 

The project comprises over 40 launches in total which will include satellites for Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as commercial companies. 

China has planned around 30 launches in 2017 however only 18 successful launches were records. The failure of the second Long March 5 rocket to launch led to the temporary ceasing of all launches for 89 days.  

The Sri Lankan government acknowledged the planned acquisition of 671 acres of land in Mullaitivu is in order the establish a central navy base. 

In response to a Right To Information request made by the editor of Vikalpa, Sampath Samarakoon, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms, Mr Dayaratne stated the land grab was in order to “establish the Mullaitivu main camp of the Sri Lanka navy”.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Tharo Kono reportedly pledged his government’s “fullest support for the development and reconciliation process of Sri Lanka” in a visit to Colombo today.

Sri Lanka’s President’s Media Division reported that Mr Kono said there was “an excellent trade relationship between the two countries” and would be sending a delegation to discuss business opportunities to the island at the end of this month.

Colombo's Fort Magistrate has issued an open warrant for the arrest of the government’s former ambassador to the United States.

The former ambassador, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, is wanted by Sri Lanka’s Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over the alleged misuse of government spending.

It is alleged that there were irregularities in the purchase of a building to house the Sri Lankan in Washington DC. He is also accused of accepting a US$ 332,000 “commission” during his tenure as ambassador.

The body of a young Tamil man bearing several wounds was recovered from a well in Jaffna on Thursday.

20-year-old Anantharaja Ananthababu was found dead in a field well in Sanguveli, with locals believing he was beaten and murdered then thrown in the well, judging by the state that his body was found in. 

Mr Ananthababu was reported missing on Thursday by his family, when he did not return home from his job as a labourer.

Manippay police are investigating the death, and Mr Ananthababu's body was handed over to Jaffna Teaching Hospital for post-mortem examinations at the order of the magistrate.