Sri Lanka’s minister of justice has been sacked this morning, following criticism of the current government over a financial deal with China and after he allegedly delayed investigating cases of bribery and corruption.

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who also heads the ministry for the Buddha Sasana, was accused by the prime minister of deliberately preventing the investigation of corruption and fraud committed by the previous government. Mr Rajapakshe was known to be close to the previous regime.

He also criticised the Sri Lankan government’s decision to sell a 70 percent stake in Hambantota port to China for $1.1 billion last month.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command of the Indian Army visited Jaffna and Trincomalee this week, meeting with Sri Lankan military commanders.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena handed over a cheque for Rs. 45 million rupees on Tuesday, to be used towards the renovation of the golden roof of a Buddhist vihara in Kandy.

The Canadian government has announced David McKinnon will be the new High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, taking over from Shelley Whiting.

“Shelley's left big shoes to fill but I could not be happier or more honoured,” said Mr McKinnon on Twitter, after the announcement was made.

In a press release, the Canadian government said it is “steadfast in selecting diplomatic leaders who reflect the wide diversity of Canada, as well as the government’s commitment to promoting greater gender parity.”

Ms Whiting held the post of High Commissioner to Sri Lanka since 2012.

The head of Sri Lanka’s army warned that deserters posed a “threat to society” according to a report in The Island, and called on private businesses across the island not to provide them employment.

Sri Lanka’s Army Chief Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake went on to warn business in the private sector that the military could take legal action against them if they employed deserting soldiers.

“Those who had abandoned their units without following due process were a threat to the society,” he was quoted as stating.

The Sri Lankan resettlement ministry will give the army 178 million rupees to return civilian land in Keppapulavu, the minister for resettlement confirmed on Tuesday.

Resettlement Minister, D. M. Swaminathan, said during his visit to Jaffna that the 178 million amount had been requested from the treasury and would be handed over to the Sri Lankan army on receipt of approval from the cabinet.

Photographs: Shalin for Tamil Guardian

Sri Lankan soldiers will begin construction on a new home for the family of a Tamil student shot and killed by police last year.

Sri Lanka’s treasury has released funds to distribute dry food rations amongst drought affected people in 15 districts, reports Colombo Page.

The President’s office has also issued instruction to the Army to produce a performance report on how dry aid is distributed by the Divisional Secretaries across the island.

Under the President’s directive, the Ministry of Disaster Management will distribute rations in the regions of Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Ampara, Badulla, Hambantota, Vavuniya and Mannar.

China’s Ambassador pledged to help Sri Lanka's south reach development standards of Shanghai reports Colombo Page.

Speaking at an event celebrating the 70^th anniversary of China and Sri Lanka's friendship Ambassador Yi Xianliang said China will help establish a technology university in the South and also initiate a housing project for fishing communities in the area.  

The ambassador went on to call on the people of Sri Lanka to support the government to develop the country, adding that China would continue to provide assistance to the island to develop the region in similar fashion to Singapore within15 years.

Sri Lanka's prime minister told the president on Tuesday to expel the country's justice minister, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, accusing him of deliberately preventing the investigation of corruption and fraud committed by the previous government. 

The communication from the prime minister follows a meeting by the UNP Working Committee who requested My Rajapaksa to explain his position to the party, the Daily Mirror reported. However, he failed to reply, prompting the UNP to call for his expulsion.