Sri Lanka's Joint Opposition on Thursday threatened to quit the constitution-making process unless the government announces elections, the Daily Mirror reported. 

"There was no point in participating in the process as long as there was no elections in the country," Prof G L Peiris told the paper. 

Efforts to amend the constitution faced another set back this week after senior members of the Buddhist clergy said on Tuesday that they unanimously rejected the need for any change or amendment. 

The Leader of House, Lakshman Kiriella MP rejected media reports that the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Bill had been taken back, stating that the bill would be debated in the future. 

The Daily Mirror reported that Mr Kiriella told parliament media reports that the Bill was taken back by the government was not true.

The bill has been criticised by the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as senior members of the Buddhist clergy, who said the bill should be postponed in order to give parliamentarians more time to study it. 

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said his government would protect Sri Lankan soldiers and the “freedom earned for the country” by the military, in a speech at Temple Trees on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka’s president assured the Buddhist Maha Sangha that it will be consulted on the draft constitution.

A meeting between the Maha Sangha led by Maha Nayaka Thero was held at the President’s House in Kandy today, reports Adaderanal.lk.

The Buddhist monks also presented a list of proposal pertaining to the constitution to Mr Sirisena.

The meeting comes after several Buddhist institutions in Sri Lanka rejected the need for a new constitution.

The Sri Lankan navy on Thursday arrested eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu, The Hindu reported. 

The men, who were reportedly detained around the Neduntheevu area, have been taken to the Kankesanthurai naval base. 

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The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Emmerson is to make an official visit to Sri Lanka on July 10 - 14, where he is expected to meet with detainees suspected or convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. 

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.

The Tamil National Alliance on Thursday urged the senior members of the Buddhist clergy to reconsider their decision to unanimously reject any constitutional change in Sri Lanka. 

"when all political parties represented in the legislature had contributed towards the drafting of a new Constitution, the main Buddhist Sects affirming that there was no need for such a framework was both shocking and ridiculous," Ceylon Today quoted the TNA spokesperson and MP, M A Sumanthiran as saying. 

The newly appointed Sri Lankan Army Commander has refuted war crimes allegations but said that the tri-forces would face up to any investigation in order to clear their name.

“I don’t know whether those accusing the army officers and soldiers have first-hand information about their allegations; whether they were there at that time or not, but if there are any investigations we will certainly support it to clear the name and reputation of the army,” the Daily Mirror quotes Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake as saying.

Sri Lankan airlines will be running a direct flight service between Hong Kong and Colombo starting July 15th 2017.

The national carrier of Sri Lanka will have five direct flights to Hong Kong a week.

The airline’s management officials were summoned by the Sri Lankan cabinet last month to discuss a Rs 22 billion loss.

Sri Lanka’s parliament did not take up the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Bill this week, despite it having been scheduled for debate on Wednesday.

Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala said the bill would not be debated as scheduled.

No reason was given for the decision and a future date to debate the bill was not announced.

The bill has been fiercely opposed by members of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy.