Jan 31 (Island) Political circles expected the incumbent parliament to be dissolved some time in February and a general election held before the Sinhala and Tamil New year in April. Asked on Thursday at a meeting with editors, publishers and heads of media organizations when parliament will be dissolved, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that no date for dissolution has yet been fixed. more..

Jan 31 (TN) Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama paid a sudden visit to Jaffna Saturday where he said that he has come to explore the possibility of establishing an office of the Foreign Ministry for expatriate Tamils in Jaffna, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, it is being said in the media circle that Rohitha had been sent to Jaffna by President Mahinda Rajapakse to pacify Minister Douglas Devananda who had announced his resignation of his post of minister for more..

Jan 31 (AFP) Media groups on Sunday accused the government of detaining a senior editor and shutting down his newspaper because the publication backed the losing opposition candidate in elections. Press owners, editors and rights bodies issued a joint statement saying the closure of the pro-opposition Lanka weekly and the detention of Chandana Sirimalwatte was a "fatal blow to media freedom and democracy." more..

Jan 31 (AFP) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has transferred several senior military officers loyal to the former army general who he defeated in elections, a military source said Sunday. Rajapakse ordered a shake-up of the military to remove Sarath Fonseka's supporters from key roles after Fonseka's failed bid to win the presidency in Tuesday's vote, the official said on condition of anonymity. more..