Holding the tenth round of talks for widening the scope of existing free trade agreement in goods, India and Sri Lanka are aiming at concluding the negotiations by December 2018.

"The talks are going at a healthy pace and both the countries are targeting to conclude the talks by December for the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA)," an official said.

Both the countries already have a free trade agreement (FTAs) in goods, but now the talks are on to widen the scope of this pact by including services and investments to make it comprehensive.

India has a healthy trade surplus in goods with Sri Lanka. India exported goods worth $4.5 billion in 2017-18 and its imports from that country were only $773 million.

In 2003, both sides set up a joint study group to widen the ambit of the FTA. Based on its recommendations, they started negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in February 2005. FTA)

Wildlife officials have rescued a disabled baby elephant from the Mattala area, in the Hambantota district.

They said the baby elephant is one year old and suffering from minor ailments.

The disability of the elephant, according to them, arises from genetic reasons.

The Wildlife Department added that they would try their best to perform a surgery and ensure the well-being of the elephant.

They also suspect that the baby elephant's mother had abandoned it due to the deformed nature of the animal.

The Fort Magistrate today issued notice on Perpetual Treasuries group Chairman Geoffrey Aloysius to appear before court on July 05. 

Geoffrey Aloysius, the company's owner Arjuna Aloysius' father, functioned as the chairman of the company since its inception. 

Ranjan Hulugalle and Ajahn Punchihewa served as Non-Executive Independent Directors of the same company.

The Fort Magistrate also remanded Arjuna Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena till July 05. 

The funeral of veteran filmmaker Dr  Lester James Peiris will be held at Independence Square at 4 pm today.

President Maithripaa Sirisena instructed his Secretary Austin Fernando this morning to make arrangements to hold the funeral under state patronage. 

President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are expected to attend the funeral. 

Dr. Peiris, the most accomplished filmmaker in Sri Lanka, passed away at a private hospital in Colombo on Sunday night. 

He was 99 at the time of his demise. 

National Policies and Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva has called on the government to appoint a Presidential Commission to investigate the racial riots in Kandy and find ‘long standing answers’ to the issue.

de Silva made his proposal in Parliament today, as the country slowly returns to normalcy following nearly a week of sectarian unrest after Sinhalese mobs descended on Kandy and set fire to Muslim establishments and homes.

The riots were sparked when a Sinhalese truck driver was beaten to death in Kandy on Saturday. Pro Sinhala-Buddhist organizations rallied together on social media sites live Facebook, converged in Kandy to avenge the death.

The incident caused the government to announce a temporary ban on Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber, Instagram and other social media sites in an attempt to stem the violence conflagrating on the Internet.

The situation is now gradually returning to normal, after several arrests were made of those inciting violence against Muslims. Together, 81 persons have been arrested in Kandy over the incident that flared up on Saturday.

The Criminal Investigations Department is yet to establish if former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran is in Singapore, Informed Police sources said  

Although the former Central Bank Governor is a citizen of Singapore, there is no evidence to say he still resides in that country, they further added. 

It is learnt that the notice the CID sent to Mahendran's Singapore's residence has been returned as Mahendran no longer lives at his residence in Singapore. 

"We don't even know if he still lives in Singapore. He may have fled to another country,"  a senior Police officer said. 

The former Central Bank Government has been noticed to appear before court on March 08. It is now event that Mahendran is unlikely to comply with the notice. 

The Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities have also explored the option of getting an INTERPOL red notice issued to apprehend the former Central Bank Governor. 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was given the portfolio of Law and Order in the Cabinet reshuffle that took place at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (25).

Lakshman Kirelle was appointed the new Cabinet Minister of State Enterprise and Kandy Development, while Kabir Hashim was appointed the new Cabinet Minister of Higher Education and Highways.

Meanwhile, Sagala Ratnayake was appointed the new Cabinet Minster of Youth Affairs, while Harin Fernando was appointed the new Cabinet Minister of Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment.

Two new additions were made to the Cabinet - Ravindra Samarawickerma was appointed the Minister of Wildlife and Sustainable Development while JC Alawathugoda was made the new Deputy Minister of Home Affairs.

Piyasena Gamage was made the new State Minister Youth Affairs and Southern Development and Ajith P. Perara the new State Minister of Prisons and Rehabilitation.

Meanwhile Dr. Harsha De Silva was appointed State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs.

President Maithripala Sirisena, addressing the gathering at the Presidential Secretariat at the conclusion of the reshuffle, said the changes were only made to the UNP side, but changes would be made to the UPFA side soon too. 

Veteran Bollywood actress Sridevi has died suddenly in Dubai at the age of 54.

Citing family sources, the Press Trust of India reported Sridevi died late Saturday night after suffering a cardiac arrest in the United Arab Emirates city, where she was attending a family wedding.

Born August 13, 1963, Sridevi made her Bollywood debut in 1979 with the Hindi film "Solva Sawan," but broke through to the list of Bollywood's most highly sought-after actresses with the film "Himmatwala," four years later.

Sridevi's credits include some of the most watched films of the '80s and '90s, including "Mawaali" (1983), "Tohfa" (1984), "Mr. India" (1987), "Chandni" (1989), "Lamhe" (1991) and "Gumrah" (1993).

 Sridevi took a break from the limelight to raise two children with her husband, producer Boney Kapoor, before returning to star in the 1997 film "Judaai." In the film, she plays an ambitious housewife who inadvertently marries a man who can't afford the lavish life she aspires to lead.

The film was a box office hit, but it was Sridevi's performance in Gauri Shinde's 2012 hit, "English Vinglish," that really confirmed her comeback as one of Bollywood's most treasured and enduring talents.

Sridevi took the starring role of Shashi, an Indian housewife who only speaks Hindi but is thrust onto the streets of New York to help arrange her niece's wedding. After a series of humiliations, Shashi decides she needs to learn English and enrolls in a four-week crash course.

"The way the character has been crafted by Shinde, and interpreted by Sridevi, is gloriously feminine, and uniquely Indian," a review in the Hollywood Reporter said at the time.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent condolences to Sridevi's family on Sunday, saying he was saddened by her "untimely demise."

Some of the country's most prominent stars also expressed their shock. Singer Adnan Sami said he was lost for words at the loss of "India's sweetheart."

"I am at a loss for words & jolted as if struck by lightening at this late hour of the night to learn about the shocking & tragic news & untimely demise of #Sridevi ji. Heartbroken. She was India's sweetheart, an incredible artiste & a beautiful human being. Gone too soon," Sami tweeted.

Sridevi's impact was felt far beyond India, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan also paying tribute to the actress, whom he met last December.

"Really enjoyed meeting Bollywood icon Sri Devi on my recent trip to India. So sad to hear the news of the death of such a terrifically talented actress, performer and producer," he said on Twitter.

Sridevi is survived by her husband, Boney, and daughters Jhanvi and Khushi Kapoor.

The large majority of SLFP and UPFA MPs were not in present in Parliament this morning, although it was the first time the legislature was convened after the government's defeat at the Local Government election. 

When contacted by Asian Mirror, an SLFP MP said they were attending an important meeting with the President at the Presidential Secretariat this morning and that was the reason for their absence. 

It was learnt that they were discussing their decision to quit the national government. Although the decision was announced last night by Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala, the SLFP feared that the decision might result in some crossovers to the UNP.

A considerable number of Joint Opposition MPs were also absent for some reason. Even the request MP Dinesh Gunawardena presented seeking a debate on the current political situation had only 20 signatures. 

The reason for their absence, however, is not known.

As a large number of opposition MPs were not present in the House today, UNP MP Nalin Bandara said the JO did not even have 13 MPs although they talked about securing majority in Parliament with 113 MPs. 

Denying rumours that he will step down from his post in the unity government, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would continue as the Prime Minister and act according to the constitution.

"I accept the election result," the Premier said, on a humble note, adding it was a warning sign from the people.

Speaking to media, at Temple Trees,  for the first time after the defeat of the Local Government polls, Wickremesinghe stated that internal reforms would be carried out in the party to build a future leadership group.

"They will be given grater responsibilities. But, their exact scope of work should be discussed within the party."

When asked about differences of opinions within the government, the Prime Minister said it was the 'nature' of a coalition government. "The two main parties got together to form this government. So, there can be differences. We should iron out the differences and move forward," he added.

He also said the current government would continue without a change.  "For the moment, the current government can continue. We will look at other option, if this fails, " the Prime Minister said, responding to questions of journalists.

He admitted that the bond issue was one reason for the party's setback at the recent Local Government election.

"The delays in catching thieves was also a reason," the Premier said, adding that he, as the Prime Minister, did not interfere in any investigations.

"Also, we instructed the Police to keep us informed if any minister interfered with the investigations," he added.