"We already raised our objection against his decision to attend the Independence Day celebrations. It is unbecoming for the TNA leader to go against the traditional party position that reflects the common will of the affected Tamil people."

"It is their individual decision and the TNA has nothing to do with it."

The Sri Lankan military says Omanthai checkpoint would continue to operate as usual, denying Monday's reports the checkpoint was opened to all vehicles and people.

Vehicles carrying fresh food products were given priority as of yesterday, but everyone else will be inspected as usual, according to army spokesperson Brigardier Jayanth Jayaweera.

The leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), a former key ally of the Rajapaksa-regime, warned against the new president Maithripala Sirisena's 100-day programme for reform.

Wimal Weerawansa, whose NFF expressed support for the programme earlier this month, said it is an "undeniable risk" to Sri Lanka's "hard-earned freedom".

The MP said the programme will pave the way for a federal Sri Lanka and called for national unity to oppose it.

Sri Lanka's government is prepared to implement capital punishment to put a halt to the increase in crime according to Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

(Photos: Uthayan)

Tamil protestors in towns in the North-East have demanded the return of relatives from state custody.

A demonstration in Vavuniya, organised by the Vavuniya Citizens Group and a civil society organisation from across the North-East called Naangal, was attended by parents, children and other relatives of people who were disappeared, who surrendered to the army during 2009 and other political detainees.