Suresh Premachandran, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, has said that international intervention is needed to reach a political solution in Sri Lanka, reports Uthayan.

There has been uproar and anger amongst Buddhist clergy and trade union leaders over the government's official calendar, which does not include Poya days (full moon days) as holidays for public servants and private sector employees.

The decision of when to resume operations at the University of Jaffna will be taken after Thaipongal, reports Uthayan.

The Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya, extended his New Year wishes to the armed forces.

Jayasuriya, in a speech at the army headquarters, expressed his pride in the dedication his forces had shown to development projects in the country.

The Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse has joined his brother in accusing foreign conspiracies for bringing the country into disrepute.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a building, he also claimed that all Sri Lankans are now living in harmony.

The military has no intention of withdrawing army camps in Jaffna despite intense pressure exerted by the international community and Tamil political parties, reported The Sunday Leader.

The brother of Khuram Shaikh, the British man murdered in Sri Lanka on Christmas day last year has spoken out about the lack of action with the case.

Nasser Shaikh told BBC Breakfast that the stalled case was "disheartening" and "gives out the wrong message".

Matt Baker, parliamentary aide for Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who has taken up the case said:

A Tamil doctor has been arrested by the Sri Lankan military and detained at the military base in Kokkaavil, reports Uthayan.

Visiting Matale district, which was one of those affected by recent floods and landslides, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse promised to provide 'alternative lands' to those living in areas at risk of landslides or other natural disasters.

A football stadium and training centre, a project run by paramilitary leader, Douglas Devananda, is nearing completion, reports Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence (and Urban Development).

The Sri Lankan defence secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse claims that foreign and local elements are attempting to use the judiciary to destabilise the country.

A 4-year-old girl has been raped and strangled to death in Mandaitheevu reported the Jaffna based newspaper Uthayan.