Indian fishermen’s leaders and owners of the 87 fishing vessels detained by Sri Lanka, were ecstatic when they learnt that the boats were going to be released this week on the orders of Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. But they are concerned about the state of the boats, which might have suffered decay and damage due to months of neglect, and are seeking compensation from the Indian and Lankan governments.

Sri Lanka and the Philippines are to renew a trade deal signed in 1980, which has remained inactive, with an exchange of business delegations starting in June and direct flights later.

The Tamil Nadu government has sought the Centre's consent to hold the next round of talks between fishermen in the state and their counterparts in Sri Lanka in Chennai on March 5 to end the long-standing problem of maritime violations and the ensuing detentions of fishermen. However, there is widespread skepticism about the outcome of such talks.

A mother in Medagamuwa, Veyangoda has committed suicide after killing her infant child with a sharp instrument, reports say

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Wednesday urged the Centre to support at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015 the resolution passed by the Northern Provincial Council in Sri Lanka, demanding a thorough probe and report on the genocide of Island Tamils.