The President of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tamil Nadu said that Sri Lanka has assured the release of 42 boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen that were seized by the navy.

Dr Soundarajan, speaking after a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, said that Colombo has assured to positively consider a plea from her to release Tamil Nadu fishing vessels.

Speaking to press on Sunday, she said,

“When I pointed out to the 100 fishing boats of the Indian fishermen were yet to be released, Colombo assured (me) that the boats would be released at the earliest.”

The senior BJP politician added,

A new constitution will not take away the primary status given to Buddhism said Sri Lanka’s cabinet spokesperson, adding that the government would seek approval of the island's senior Buddhist clergy, the Mahanayake Thera. 

Mr Gayantha Karunathilaka said that both the president and prime minister would meet the Mahayanake Theras to explain the situation with the draft constitution.

Mr Karunathilaka said, “certain opposition forces are trying to get political mileage by trying to show a non-existing monster. However the new Constitution would be one that would be approved by the Mahanayake Theras and the common masses at the end of the day.”

Keppapulavu villagers who have been protesting for the last 4 months for the release of their land took their protest to the Mullaitivu District Secretariat on Monday.

The protest coincided with a Mullaitivu development committee meeting at the DS, attended by the Chief Minister of the Northern Province as well as ministers and other members of the Northern Province and parliamentary representatives.

Sri Lanka's outstanding foreign debt by the end of April 2017 was US$ 25.61 billion, the mid-year Fiscal Report concluded. 

This years figure is 23.1 billion dollars higher than the same time last year, LBO reported. 

The country is currently looking to receive its third tranche of its loan from the International Monetary Fund.

Last month a report from the World Bank warned that "slower than expected" progress on reforms was putting economic growth and stability at risk. 
 

The president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, on Monday promised voters in his hometown of Polonnaruwa he would ensure rice was provided at a concessionary rate if there was any further increase in rice. 

Mr Sirisena stressed he would not let people starve, Colombo Page reported. 

Last week the government announced it would be importing rice from Pakistan after droughts affected paddy production.

The Sri Lankan government has also commenced government level talks on the possibility of purchasing rice from Thailand.

Sri Lanka's Buddhist monks have threatened to launch protests in the street if Tamils are granted more autonomy, the AFP reported on Monday. 

"Monks are going from district to district to educate their followers about the dangers of the proposed constitution," the news wire quoted the monk, Maagalkande Sudaththa as saying at a press meet in Colombo.

Accusing most MPs of being "uneducated", Mr Sudaththa said, "about 70 per cent of MP's are asleep in parliament when important issues are discussed." 

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The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter terrorism, Ben Emmerson arrived in Sri Lanka today to embark on an official five day visit of the island. 

Mr Emmerson plans to obtain first-hand information on steps taken regarding counter-terrorism and assess how they affect the promotion and protection of human rights.