Sri Lanka’s former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa would only be safe from war crimes prosecution by the United States under one condition, writes Ryan Goodman – if the Sri Lankan government were to prosecute him for war crimes themselves.

Mr Goodman, Professor of Law and Co-Chair of the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University School of Law, cited Sri Lanka’s “long-standing extradition agreement” with the United States which obligates Sri Lanka to extradite “persons sought by the authorities of the [United States] for trial or punishment for an extraditable offence.”

“Sri Lanka has already formally agreed to give the United States access to criminal suspects in such cases,” says Goodman.

Military awards and privileges given to the former army commander of Sri Lanka, Sarath Fonseka, were restored by the Sri Lankan president on Tuesday reports the Colombo Page.

The US president, Barack Obama, speaking in New Delhi this week, said India could play a "positive" role in the region from Burma to Sri Lanka, reiterating "that with power comes responsibility".

“India and the United States are not just natural partners — I believe that America can be India’s best partner,” said Mr Obama, during a speech at New Delhi town hall which focused heavily on human rights.

"I believe if we are to be two global partners then our two nations must do more around the world together."

"To ensure international security and peace, multi-lateral institutions created in the 20th century need to be updated for the 21st," he said, reiterating his support for "a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."

Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Hugo Swire will visit the North-East during his forthcoming visit to Sri Lanka, according to the British mission in Colombo.

Mr Swire is due to land on Wednesday and will travel to Jaffna during his three-day stint in the country, where he will meet with NPC Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran and members of the civil society.

"I am delighted to be visiting Sri Lanka again so soon after the recent elections, and welcome the early progress made by President Sirisena towards a more democratic and accountable government," the high commission quoted him.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will arrive in Sri Lanka on March 14 for the first state visit by an Indian leader since Rajiv Gandhi in 1987, according to the Daily FT.

Sri Lanka’s new president, Maithripala Sirisena will visit India, his first foreign visit since assuming office, on the February 16.

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera visited Delhi and met with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Modi.

Both countries pledged to strengthen ties between them during the talks, which focused on a range of issues, including political and economic cooperation, the repatriation of Tamil refugees and the fishermen dispute.

The chief minister of the Northern Provincial Council, CV Wigneswaran and a delegation of Northern Provincial Councillors, called for the release of 6500 acres of Tamil land taken by  the Sri Lankan military and release of registered and unregistered Tamil political prisoners.

The Sri Lankan president's senior advisor on foreign relations has arrived in Geneva for a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al Hussain.

Jayantha Dhanapala is expected to discuss with the high commissioner the OHCHR Investigation in Sri Lanka, the final report of which is due to be published at the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council in March.

External Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera is also currently in Europe, where he will seek a postponement of a EU ban on imports from Sri Lanka.

Mr Samaraweera said last week the UN inquiry could have been avoided if the issue had been handled "carefully and pragmatically" by the previous government.

Four suspects in the killing of a former member of the Tamil Eelam Police Department were found innocent and freed by a judge in Mannar, reported the Uthayan.

A total of seven suspects were arrested after the murder of 34 year old Naguleshwaran Krishnasuwamy, who was killed in his own backyard by unidentified gunmen in November.

His wife, Kavitha, said her husband had received threats in the days prior to the assassination.