Sri Lanka on Friday lifted the historic ban on women buying or selling alcohol. 

The ban, which was in force since 1979 prohibited women from being employed in places where alcohol was produced and sold. However, many businesses have employed women despite the ban. 

The government also extended the opening hours of liquor outlets, allowing them to be open until 10pm. 

UNP minister and leader of the House, Lakshman Kiriella on Friday criticised the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena over his decision to seek a determination from the Supreme Court over the length of his term in office. 

Postal ballot papers for Sri Lanka's upcoming local government election will be handed over today to postal services in order for circulation. 

Ballot papers were printed for eight districts on Friday, the Electon Commission said. 

The local government election is to take place on February 10th, 2018. 

A defence delegation from Sri Lanka embarked on a visit to India’s Southern Naval Command in Kochi, where the two governments held discussions, including on training for Sri Lankan troops.

An Indian Press Information Bureau media release said Sri  Lanka’s defence delegation met with Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief at the sidelines of the 5th India Sri Lanka Annual Defence Dialogue

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Sri Lanka has “many challenges” and called for Colombo to pick up the pace of slow structural reforms in its third review of an Extended Fund Facility for the government.

The agreed program will see Sri Lanka given approximately US$ 1.5 billion over 36 months by the IMF under conditions laid out by the global financial body.

The Sri Lankan military continued its militarisation of the North-East last week, as it held a series of civilian activities to mark the New Year.

A TNA local government candidate was arrested for assaulting a neighbour on Thursday.
Nagarasa Pakeerathan who is standing in the divisional council (Prathesiya sabai) elections for Valikamam South-West was arrested by Manippay police after a neighbour complained that he had assaulted her during an argument outside his house.

The president's Sri Lankan Freedom Party aired Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) songs at its campaign rally in Jaffna on Friday in a bid to win over Tamil voters. 

A large number of "criminals and rapists" are standing for election in Sri Lanka's upcoming local government elections, the country's election monitor, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) was quoted by Ada Derana as saying this week. 

Sri Lanka's former navy spokesperson who was arrested last year over the enforced disappearance of Tamil youths during 2008 - 2009 was on Friday released on bail. 

Commodore D K P Dassanayake and five others were charged with aiding and abetting the abduction of 11 Tamil youths. 

The Colombo High Court judge, Manilal Waidyaratne released the six on a cash bail of Rs 100,000 with a Rs 1 million sureties on three. 

Sri Lanka's Supreme court concluded its hearing on Thursday over whether the Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena could hold his office for 6 years from the 9th January 2015, when he was sworn in as president. 

Mr Sirisena had written to the Supreme Court asking if he could extend his term to 6 years, despite the 19th Amendment to the constitution stipulating that a president's term should not exceed 5 years. 

Britian’s Prince Edward is set to visit Sri Lanka at the end of this month, where he will be present in Colombo for Independence Day.

The British High Commission in Sri Lanka said the visits will celebrate “the long-standing friendship between the two countries and shared interest in the Commonwealth, youth development and education”.

As part of his visit, Prince Edward, who holds the title of Earl of Wessex, will also visit Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Nuwara Eliya.

Sri Lankan troops further consolidated their involvement in religious activities in the North-East, as the military held a ceremony last week, where they met with the newly appointed Bishop of Mannar.

The Sri Lankan government is looking to raise US$500 million through development bonds, as it struggles to repay a record high debt.

Reuters reports the Colombo must repay an estimated 1.97 trillion rupees ($12.85 billion) in 2018 which includes $2.9 billion of foreign loans, and a total of $5.36 billion of interest. The sum is a record high for the Sri Lankan government.