Construction of the Chinese funded ‘Lotus Tower’ began Friday, as the foundation stone was laid in Colombo.

A Chinese conglomerate comprising of the China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT) will be undertaking the construction project, which is set to be the tallest tower in South Asia. The project is also being funded by the EXIM Bank of China who is providing a $100 million loan.

US congressman, Howard Berman, of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, urged Sri Lanka to "allow for an independent international mechanism to investigate alleged war crimes and violations of international human rights law", in order to ensure accountability.

In a statement made Friday, Berman said,

Further ignoring the recommendations of the LLRC, the Sri Lankan Army has announced that they will be forming a company in order to carry out construction and development projects across the country.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya has said the President Mahinda Rajapakse had already given the Army the directions to being forming a separate company. He told the Daily Mirror,

The United States have said that American investors are concerned about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, during a round table discussion with journalists in Colombo on Wednesday.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, Holly Vineyard, said that whilst concerns persist over human rights in the island, it may not impact trade between the countries majorly.

Concluding his four day visit to Sri Lanka, India's foreign affairs minister, SM Krishna reiterated the need to "devolve powers" in a "very visible manner" and expressed confidence in the ruling regime's commitment towards this.

Speaking to reporters on his way home to New Delhi, Krishna said,

"On the whole I have a sense of satisfaction that all the programmes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced are being pursued vigorously in Sri Lanka."

Responding to reports that former LTTE cadres were joining the JVP, the Sri Lankan Army has warned them not to join groups that look to “overthrow the government in an uprising” and reiterated that they would be closely monitored.

Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General Chandana Rajaguru confirmed that former cadres were being watched but on the issue of tem joining the JVP commented,

India's foreign affairs minister, SM Krishna, formally handed over 1000 houses built for IDPs by India, 49,000 are yet to be built.

In a statement Krishna said,

Meeting Sri Lanka's president at Temple Trees on Tuesday, India's visiting foreign affairs minister, SM Krishna, felt assured by the president's commitment on finding a political solution based on the implementation of the 13th Amendment and the "meaningful devolution of powers".

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Krishna said,

There has been "no progress" achieved during TNA-government talks, TNA delegates told India's foreign affairs minister, S.M. Krishna, during his current visit to Sri Lanka.

Calling the government's attitude, "lethargic", the TNA reportedly urged India to take an "active role" in the process of arriving at a political solution.

Speaking after the meeting, one of the TNA delegates, S Premachandran, said,

Photograph sundaytimes.lk