Internal Developments:

1. Ammunition Haul; Opposition calls it threat to National Security:

Fourteen pressure mines, 21 bombs, one RPG launcher and four mortar ammunitions were unearthed by the police in the Illuppukadawai police division in Mannar on March 30. Bombs were disposed by the army following the magisterial inquiry by the Mannar Magistrate. In addition, a suicide kit, four claymore mines, three parcels of C4 explosives and ammunition were also found in a house in Vallakulam, Chavakachcheri on information received by the Jaffna police. While urging the Government to launch an impartial investigation into this recovery of ammunition, the Joint Opposition said that these kinds of incidents could cause a threat to the national security.

2. New Constitution in 2017- PM:

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on March 29 that a new constitution will be enacted in 2017 when Sri Lanka would complete 70 years of the setting up of the legislature. The Prime Minister added that various constitutions would be studied and assistance of several countries would be obtained in drafting a new constitution. Elaborating on devolution of power, he said there was no issue with the present system, but one should think of how it could be strengthened without affecting the ‘unitary’ status and sovereignty of the country. The PM said it was ‘necessary to meet in peace, confer in peace and conclude in peace’.

3. TNA to take up Sampur Power plant issue with India:

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) chief R.Sampanthan will soon discuss with the Indian High Commission the “substantial” environmental problems that will be created if India sets up a 500 MW coal-fired power plant at Sampur in Eastern Sri Lanka.

4. No Islamist Jihadi groups in SL, says Study:

A recent study commissioned by the Colombo-based International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) has concluded that there were no Islamist jihadist groups in Sri Lanka. Discussion with representatives of Thablighi Jamaat, Thawheed and Sufi groups revealed that “while there is [a] talk among discontented youth about espousing ‘jihadi’ practices, these are just idle youth responding to the global trend in Islam, but with no motivation or the means to make this a reality, the study added.

5. No-Confidence motion against Finance Minister:

The Joint Opposition on March 24 handed over the second no-confidence motion signed by 37 Parliamentarians against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. There were numerous charges listed against the Minister, including misleading the Parliament.

6. Finding truth behind the war is imperative: CBK

Ex-President and National Unity and Reconciliation Office Chairperson Chandrika Kumaratunga said at a function to mark International Right to Truth Day, that it was essential to discuss the circumstances that led to the violence that took place in the North as well as what happened during the war if Sri Lanka wants to move forward with the reconciliation process.

7. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at PRECIFAC:

Former defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and former Navy Commander Admiral Jayantha Perera were summoned by PRECIFAC to give a statement over the Rakna Lanka controversy.

8. Jaffna lands essential for National Security- Defence Secretary:

Defense Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi has revealed that several blocks of land in the Jaffna District cannot be handed back over to their original owners because those lands are considered as being essential for national security. He however said that steps had been taken to hand over more than 5700 acres of land back to the original owners in the Jaffna District.

9. MR’s life is in danger- Joint Opposition:

The joint opposition said on March 23 that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s life was in danger and that the government must take responsibility if anything untoward happened to him. According to the Joint Opposition, Mr. Rajapaksa’s security concerns had aggravated after the release of former LTTE leaders and with underworld gangsters freely operating in the country.

10. Right to Information draft bill introduced:

The much-awaited Right to Information draft bill was presented in the Parliament by Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilake on March 24. In terms of Article 153 (g) of the Constitution, the Right to Information Bill was submitted to the Provincial Councils for their views. The Bill received the nod of the Provincial Councils with the Northern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils having decided to give their approval subject to amendments.

11. JHU vows to protect war heroes:

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has reiterated that as long as the party was a part of the government, his party will not allow war heroes to be questioned by the international community under any circumstances.

12. President rules out foreign judges in war crime probe:

President Maithripala Sirisena has reiterated that he will not have international judges on the bench for probe on war crimes cases allegedly committed by government troops and the LTTE during the last phase of the war. He said he had the fullest confidence in the local judges and judicial administrators, so there was no need for international judges.

13. MR attacks government at a public rally:

Addressing a large crowd at the ‘Jana Satana’ rally organised by the Joint Opposition against the UNP - led government in Colombo on March 17, former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa said he ‘would show them how the country should be run if it were handed over to him’ He added that the government was doing an abysmal job of it. He said the government was taking revenge on its political opponents and accusing the previous government of causing an economic crisis and various other problems in the country. This was only an attempt to cover up the its ineptitude. He pledged to remain in politics even if he and his entire family were put behind bars, for the sake of the people of this country.

External Developments:

14. Japan lends 400mn to SL for Airport Expansion:

Japan has loaned $400 million to Sri Lanka to build a new terminal at the island's main international airport which suffers congestion from growing tourism. According to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the second terminal would more than double its capacity to 15 million passengers annually. The terminal, to be opened in 2020, would use solar energy and recycled water.

15. Former Australian PM defends his stance on SL’s Human Rights record:

Former Australian PM Tony Abbott has defended his decision not to join the “human rights lobby” against the tough but probably unavoidable actions taken to end one of the world’s most vicious civil wars which took place in Sri Lanka.

16. UNSG backs genuine consultation with victims:

The UN has advocated genuine consultations with victims and affected groups, especially women and children, who are far too often excluded and marginalized in countries like Sri Lanka, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said this on International Day for Right to Truth on March 24.

17. ‘Indee Sri Lanka 2016’ launched:

‘Indee Sri Lanka 2016,’ the Indian machinery suppliers and tech show was launched on March 18 at the BMICH with the participation of Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva and Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha. The event was organized by the Indian High Commission and the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

18. EU advices SL to be patient on GSP+:

The European Union (EU) delegation to Sri Lanka has said that it was advisable for the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to be patient with the application for GSP+ until there is a strong chance of regaining the tariff facility from the EU. It has been pointed out that there need to be clear evidence to ensure that progressive measures have been taken to improve human rights and to achieve an irrevocable status to regain the concession. Acknowledging that GoSL had achieved a remarkable progress in reconciliation process since coming into power 15 months ago, the EU would like to see further progress as well. The GSP+ is a component of the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences ('GSP') for developing countries. It offers additional trade incentives to developing countries already benefitting from GSP to implement core international conventions on human and labour rights, sustainable development and good governance.