Manila-based Asian Development Bank has picked Sri Lanka as a priority country to pilot a new financing approach to conserve and build ‘natural capital', despite military back deforestation across the North-east.

Natural capital could include forests, wetlands, marine ecosystems and also agricultural areas. The ADB has set up a division focusing on natural capital and climate and is drawing up a blueprint on how the lender can help enhance such assets.

Speaking to Reuters, an official stated that Sri Lanka and Thailand could potentially sign a free trade agreement (FTA) by March 2024. 

Negotiations between Thailand and Sri Lanka resumed in January. 

K.J. Weerasinghe, Sri Lanka's chief FTA negotiator, stated, "there will be several more rounds of talks, but I am confident we can conclude the agreement for signature by March 2024."

Starting 15 June Sri Lanka will reduce prices for 60 essential drugs by 16%. 

In 2022 the island plunged into a financial crisis that resulted in a shortage of essential drugs and increased drug prices. 

According to Health Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, the appreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee by about 24% has allowed the government to reduce the prices of 60 essential drugs. 

Speaking in parliament, Tamil National Alliance MPs Shritharan Sivagnanam and Rasamanickam R. Shanakiyan condemned the arrest of Tamil National People's Front leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.

Responding to the arrest of Tamil National People's Front leader, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats has written to the British Foreign Secretary requesting an update on their understanding of the situation and what communication the Foreign Secretary has had with his Sri Lankan counterpart.

His letter further notes:

"Given the late father was assassinated while a MP, the gravity of the situation could not be clearer".

British politicians have condemned the arrest of Tamil National People's Front leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and have called for his immediate release. 

Elliot Colburn MP for Carshalton and Wallington and All Party Parliamentary Group Chair for Tamils (APPGT) tweeted:

"This is a chilling reminder even elected representatives of Tamils speaking about justice for mass atrocities & a political solution to the ethnic conflict aren't safe."

The leader of the Tamil National People's Front, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam MP was arrested at his home in Colombo this morning. The party have confirmed that after being taken to Kollupitiya police station, Mr Ponnambalam is being transported away from Colombo, purportedly to Jaffna.

Tamil Nationalist People’s Front (TNPF)  leader and MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has been issued an international travel ban by the Kilinochchi Magistrate Court until he produces himself at the Maruthankerny police station over an incident where Ponnambalam has been found to be an “accused person” after a Sri Lankan intelligence officer wielded his gun at the Tamil MP.

A message has been circulating on Whatsapp today stating that the Sinhala extremist group Sinhala Ravaya will submit a letter to the Speaker of Parliament regarding the “misbehaviour and misuse of parliamentary privileges” by the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) leader and MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.

The message reads:

Last week, Tamil commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) massacre of nine civilians in Puthoor, Vatharawathai.

The memorial comes amidst an ongoing culture of suppression of Tamil memorials.