The United States has announced $7.4 million will be provided to Sri Lanka through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) as part of a program to “reduce poverty and promote economic opportunity” on the island.

A visiting delegation from the MCC  led by Fatema Z. Sumar, Regional Deputy Vice President for Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America, visited Colombo this week to make the announcement.

The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, E Palaniswami on Thursday wrote to the Indian premier, Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure the release of fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan navy. 

"I request PM Modi to take immediate action for release of 75 Indian fishermen release and 149 boats from Sri Lanka," Mr Palaniswami was quoted by ANI as saying. 

Seventy-five Tamil Nadu fishermen are believed to be detained by the Sri Lankan navy along with 149 boats. 

An arrest warrant has been issued by Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal for a navy officer wanted in connection with the assassination of the Tamil politician, N Raviraj. 

The officer, identified as Prasad Hettiarachchi was issued an arrest warrant as he had failed to appear in court after being summoned along side four others names as respondents in a petition filed by Mr Raviraj's wife. 

The Court of Appeal judge ordered that Officer Hettiarachchi be arrested and produced before Court, Adaderana reported on Thursday. 

The Sri Lankan government may delay the signing of the Hambantota port city deal with China Merchant Port Holdings depending on a parliamentary debate tomorrow, Ceylon Today reported on Thursday. 

The deal was due to be signed on Saturday. 

The reports of a possible delay came only days after the cabinet approved the signing of the deal, which had been subject to protests by locals and the Buddhist clergy who argued the government was selling land to China. 

Sri Lanka's Joint Opposition on Wednesday threatened legal action if the government did not hold Provincial Council elections as planned in October, the Daily Mirror reported. 

In a written letter to the Election Commission chairman, Mahinda Deshapriya, the former minister G L Peiris of the Joint Opposition regarding the postponement and warned that he would take the matter to the courts. 

Preparations are underway for the historic Nallur Kandasamy Kovil’s annual Thiruvizha which will commence tomorrow with the inaugural flag raising ceremony.

Today the temple held 'kodicheelai kaiyalippu', the traditional handing over of the flag silk, with a procession and poosai to bless the flag.

The Defence Attaché of the United States Embassy in Sri Lanka Lt Col Douglas Hess met with the Sri Lankan Minister of Defence earlier on Thursday.

Sri Lanka is set to sell a majority stake in its ‘remote’ Hambantota port to a Chinese company after agreeing on a revised deal to pacify India’s concerns, reports the Financial Times.

With nearly all government revenue currently going to debt servicing, the port is being sold as part of Sri Lanka’s strategy to pay down some of its debt, estimated to be around $65bn (USD), including $8bn to China.

The port is financially unviable due to its remote location with little demand for large-scale freight traffic, although India has expressed concern that China’s long-term interest in the project is strategic rather than commercial.

Sri Lankan Navy personnel were pelted with stones last week while trying to apprehend a group reportedly engaging in illegal sand excavations in Vadamaradchi.

One Coast Guard member was injured in the incident which occurred last Friday at Vallipuram, Vadamaradchi.

While the alleged attackers escaped, naval reinforcements were called to the scene with the heavy military presence causing tension in the area over the weekend.

Sri Lankan State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said he had discussed the incident with the Navy Commander and stressed the need to arrest the suspects, reports the Island.

Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he was open for discussions with anyone for the sake of the country including current President Maithripala Sirisena, reports dailymirror.lk

During his public question and answer session on Twitter,  Mahinda Rajapaksa said the current government was working to implement agendas external parties.