The motion to deny Sri Lanka access to GSP+ on the grounds of delayed human rights reforms was quashed by a vote in Brussels – where 436 voted against the motion and 119 voted in favor.

An EU Parliamentary Group brought forward the motion due to concerns regarding the lack of progress in the context of transitional justice – citing recent UN Human Rights Council reports. Further, members of the European Parliament told Sri Lanka that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) must be replaced prior to granting GSP+ trade concessions.

President Sirisena requested former army commander Sarath Fonseka to leave his current ministerial position to take a top security post.

"The President said he [Fonseka] can be either the army chief or the chief of defence staff, or have some new position with overall powers over security to bring about discipline in the country," stated Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne.

Families of the disappeared in Kilinochchi who have been protesting for over two months blocked the A9 road on Thursday.

Tamil and Muslim groups in the North-East have staged a hartal, with the majority of businesses in towns of the region closed in protest at continuing grievances.

Tamil civil society organisations have called on the European Parliament to deny Sri Lanka restoration of GSP+ until at least a list of surrendees and detainees is released by the Sri Lankan government.

In a joint statement supporting the the demands of the families of the disappeared who have been protesting across the North-East, the civil society organisations also noted “with serious concern, that Sri Lanka has failed to substantively comply with the 27 international conventions which the European Parliament requires compliance with in order for a state to be eligible for GSP+ status.”

Tamils working on military-run farms and preschools were forced to protest against the Northern Provincial Council by civil security department personnel.

Employees of military run agricultural and preschool ventures, including a significant number of former LTTE cadres, were threatened with suspension of wages if they refused to attend the protests.

In recent months the Northern Provincial Council and local agricultural and civil society organisations in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi have been campaigning to regain control of large agricultural farms and preschools from military control.

Families of the disappeared have been protesting in Trincomalee for 50 days now.

Australian Tamils held a memorial in Melbourne on Saturday for Annai Poopathy and other Tamils killed in the armed struggle.

Families of the forcibly disappeared are approaching 60 days of protest at Vavuniya.

Sri Lankan terrorism police interrogated Tamil organisers of a memorial sports tournament this week.

A knock-out football tournament organised by ‘Agni Siragugal’ or ‘Wings of Fire’ has been taking place in the run-up to Mullivaikkaal remembrance day on May 18th. Sports clubs across the North-East have been participating.

On Thursday, the leader of the Wings of Fire organisation, Selvanayagam Ananthavarman was subject to investigation by Vavuniya Terrorism Investigation Department officers.