India should have an open mind about Chinese projects in Sri Lanka unless the island was seen conferring special favours on China, which is yet not the case, former diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala said.

Sri Lanka's government has denied allegations made by a group of independent monitors that it is using state resources to give an unfair advantage to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is running for an unprecedented third term in next month's election.

Members from various political parties in Tamil Nadu expressed concern in the Rajya Sabha over the arrest of Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, an issue that saw a clash between the DMK and the AIADMK members.

Mahela Jayawardena will be one of two cricketers who will come under intense scrutiny at next year's World Cup in Australia-New Zealand.

The Manifesto of Common Opposition Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena will be given to every household in the country, campaign spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said.