The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein met with Sri Lanka’s prime minister in Switzerland, to discuss the island’s human rights situation.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the UN human rights chief on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday .

China's Alibaba company is keen to invest in Sri Lanka said the finance minister on Thursday. 

The finance minister, Ravi Karunanayake met with the online company's chairman, Jack Ma at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week, the Colombo Page reported. 

"Jack Ma has said that he will take immediate action to start investment in Sri Lanka. He has also pointed out that his proposed investment will generate hundreds of employment opportunities to the youth in the island," the finance minister was quoted as saying.

The European Union in a statement reiterated that the only criteria by which Sri Lanka will be assessed to rejoin the GSP+ trade concessions are its ratification and implementation of 27 international conventions it has signed in the past.

The Sri Lankan government has dropped its own proposal to decriminalise homosexuality, which was included in its national human rights plan put forward to help regain the European Union’s GSP+ concession, reported the Deutsche Presse Agentur. Homosexuality is currently a criminal offence under Sri Lankan law.

"In view of the protests by members of the cabinet of ministers, as well as other groups, we have decided to drop the proposal," government spokesperson and Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said on Wednesday.

A human rights lawyer and activist was questioned by the Sri Lankan army after speaking to refugees at a Jaffna camp.

Mr Ainkaran was questioned by military personnel from the Kankesanthurai division, after speaking to internally displaced people living in Konappulam camp in Mallakam, Jaffna.

The soldiers also questioned the refugees Mr Ainkaran had spoken to, enquiring about his identity and what he had talked about.

The Sri Lankan government in Colombo does not listen to the views of the Northern Provincial Council, the Chief Minister has said.

“The central government does as it pleases in the Northern Province, but does not consider our opinions when engaging in activities,” NPC Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran told journalists.

The chief minister spoke to press following the presentation of a ferry by Australian emissaries, for a ferry service running to Neduntheevu, a project supported by the World Bank and the Australian government.

Chinese infrastructure projects have heavily burdened Sri Lanka, according to former military chief, Sarath Fonseka.

A group of Buddhists headed by a monk destroyed a Christian church in the North West Province of Sri Lanka earlier this month, leaving worshippers to now conduct their prayers under a tree.

The Kithu Sevana prayer centre in  Paharaiya was attacked by the mob on January 5, said a leader of the Christian community in the region, Kamal Wasantha.

"First, they threatened us verbally,” he said. “Then they came with wooden sticks, iron bars and knives and destroyed everything."

"The Lord's house was pulled down in front of our eyes, as we asked God to forgive them," he added.

The Voice of America is to close its broadcasting station in Puttulam and transfer the land back to the Sri Lankan government. 

"Without the support of Sri Lankan governments over many years, Voice of America could not have succeeded in its mission of telling America’s story to the world. Over time, however, the audience for shortwave broadcasts has diminished," the US embassy said in a statement. 

The appeal made in the case of the assassination of the Tamil politician Raviraj was dismissed on Thursday by the Court of Appeal. 

The appeal filed by Mr Raviraj's widow, Shashikala Raviraj, after the five men accused of killing the former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP were acquitted.

According to the Daily Mirror, the appeal was dismissed as the complainants were not present in court.