Sri Lanka and India have held discussions on a USD 450 million post‑conflict reconstruction package, the Ministry of Finance said.

The announcement follows a meeting held yesterday (May 10) between Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.

According to the Finance Ministry, during the discussions, both sides focused on the reconstruction package and further strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka and Türkiye discussed on the progress in defence and security cooperation when the top officials of the two nations met for the second round of political consultation in Ankara.

The second round of political consultations between the two countries was held on Tuesday (05) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye in Ankara.

“Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining regular political dialogue to review progress and identify new avenues for collaboration, building on the strong historical foundations of bilateral relations,” Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

During the consultations, the two delegations engaged in comprehensive and forward-looking discussions covering a wide spectrum of areas, including bilateral political relations, trade and economic cooperation, defence collaboration, connectivity and maritime affairs, education, science and technology, and regional and multilateral issues, it said.

“Opportunities for expanding investments and joint ventures were also explored, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism, logistics, and technology.”

“The consultations also noted the steady progress in defence and security cooperation, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening institutional linkages and capacity-building efforts,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The consultations were co-chaired by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Cihad Erginay. Director General for South Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye.

Discussions further focused on enhancing connectivity and maritime cooperation, including leveraging existing direct air links between Istanbul and Colombo and exploring collaboration in maritime services and the blue economy.

Both sides also highlighted the importance of advancing cooperation in higher education, vocational training, and scientific research, including the early finalization of pending bilateral agreements.

The two delegations exchanged views on regional and global developments, including developments in West Asia, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean region, and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely within the United Nations and other multilateral fora on issues of mutual interest.

“Both sides reiterated their adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and multilateral cooperation.”

The Sri Lanka delegation comprised of Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Türkiye Niluka Kadurugamuwa, Minister Nilusha Dilmini and First Secretary Commercial Dilanga Hettiarachchi.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been summoned to appear before Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on May 12 to provide a statement in connection with the Airbus deal investigation.

According to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a letter informing Rajapaksa to appear before the Commission on May 12, 2026, was delivered to his Carlton residence today (May 09).

Although several media reports last week claimed that the former President had been summoned by the Bribery Commission, it is learnt that no official letter had been served at the time.

The latest development comes less than 24 hours after the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, who had been linked to investigations related to the Airbus deal.

Chief incumbent of Atamasthana Pallegama Hemarathana Thera was arrested at Nawaloka Hospital in Colombo last night (08) over an accusation that he had sexually-abused a 15-year-old girl, said police media spokesman F.U. Wootler.

The suspect will be produced before court today, said the ASP.

The girl’s mother, also got arrested and was produced before courts and remanded until 15 May on a charge of aiding and abetting the crime and selling the girl for money.

The Anuradhapura chief magistrate ordered children and women’s bureau of the police to arrest the monk and the girl’s mother and imposed a foreign travel ban on them.

The National Child Protection Authority said it directly got involved in the investigation after fiding a shortcoming in law enforcement on the part of the police.

A NCPA team led by its chairperson, deputy chairman and the head of law enforcement was in Anuradhapura yesterday and based on their inquiry submissions, the court ordered the monk’s arrest.

An investigator at the Authority said on condition of anonymity that various parties tried to cover up the incident by using the political and religious influence the monk was enjoying.

The girl in question, arrested along with a youth at a lodge in Gampaha, told police she was sexually abused first by Hemarathana Thera with her parents’ getting money for that.

Despite a previous order for his arrest, a team led by a SP only recorded a statement from the suspect monk.

When asked about the delay in the arrest, ASP Wootler said arrests could not be made without evidence.

However, legal experts are of the view that his remark was misleading, because the police have extensive decision-making powers to deal with incidents of child abuse, sexual or otherwise.

The JMO at Gampaha Hospital decided upon examining the girl that she had been sexually-abused.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress has announced the suspension of the party membership of the Deputy Mayor of the Kurunegala Municipal Council, Ashardeen Moinudeen.

The suspension follows allegations that he accepted a bribe of Rs. 3 million in connection with a municipal tender process.

The party’s Legal Director, Rushdie Habib, stated that the ACMC follows a strict policy against corruption and any conduct that damages public trust and the rule of law.

Accordingly, the suspension will remain in effect until the legal outcome of the ongoing investigations is received.

Rushdie Habib also stated that the party is prepared to take any further action necessary in line with the party constitution and disciplinary procedures.

The Supreme Court today directed the petitioning party to take steps to reissue notice to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been named as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition.

The petition had been filed seeking an order to recover compensation funds allegedly paid unlawfully to former ministers and Members of Parliament whose houses were set on fire or damaged during the island-wide violence that erupted following the attack on the “Aragalaya” protest site on May 9, 2022.

The Supreme Court issued this order during the hearing of the Fundamental Rights petition, which was filed seeking a declaration that the payment of such compensation was unlawful, said Ada Derana reporter.