In the face of continued calls for demilitarisation of the North-East, the Sri Lankan army continued to intrude on civilian life in the region, by holding a course for schoolchildren in Trincomalee last week.

Sri Lankan naval troops stationed in Trincomalee are receiving more training from the United States, despite the military’s record of atrocities and continued human rights concerns.

Members from the US Pacific Command’s Counterdrug Task Force, Joint Interagency Task Force West (JIATF West), are currently holding a two-week course for Sri Lankan troops in Trincomalee where they will be taught on “interview techniques, drug recognition, use of force, drug testing, mission planning and search techniques,” according to a military website.

The Sri Lankan government continued to deny it has ever deployed cluster munitions, as it took over the presidency of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CMC) in Geneva this week.

Addressing the closing session of the Eighth Meeting of States Parties (8MSP) Ambassador A.L.A Azeez said Colombo had never used cluster munitions, despite evidence to the contrary.

Tamil farmers have requested the Karaiththuraipattu Divisional Secretariat to recover cattle that have become trapped during the acquistion of 617 acres by Vadduvakal navy.

The farmers, who rely on milk produce for their livelihood, have been campaigning for the release of their land for the past two years. However the navy has refused them entry, leaving the farmers in financial hardship. 

"While the navy holds our cattle, we are forced to buy milk for our children," one of the farmers told Tamil Guardian. 

Sri Lanka's Archaeology Department has blocked the development of the Aathy Iyanar temple in Vedukkunaari Malai, Nedunkeni-Olumadu in Vavuniya district. 

Residents had sought to worship and carry out building works on the temple on Vedukkunaari Malai ahead of the temple's annual festival from September 7 to 9. 

However, Department officials have informed Nedunkeni police that it would be prohibited and that residents could build a temple 400m away from the original site. 

Sri Lanka’s Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has released its interim report today.

In its interim relief proposals, the OMP called on the Sri Lankan government to “expedite and give highest priority to prosecutions and other ongoing cases involving enforced disappearances”.

The government should “ensure that state officials including members of the armed forces and police who are named as suspects or accused in criminal actions relating to abductions and enforced disappearances are suspended pending the final determination of such cases,” it added.

Despite persistent calls for demilitarisation the Sri Lankan army distributed food at a care centre for Tamil children in Puthukkudiyiruppu last week, continuing to exert its presence across the North-East.

According to an official military website, soldiers from the 68 Division visited the care centre on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan military discussed how diasporas can “internationalise” issues at a defence seminar in Colombo last week, as human rights atrocities committed in Sri Lanka are due to be discussed in Geneva this month.

The military seminar on the diaspora comes in the run up to the UN Human Rights Council session later this month, with accountability for atrocities committed in Sri Lanka to be discussed by Tamil diaspora members with international ambassadors.

A second de-mining worker died today after he succumbed to injuries suffered when a landmine exploded in Mankulam, Mullaitivu on Monday. 

Rajenthiran Nitharsan (28), originally from Omanthai, Vavuniya was admitted to Vavuniya hospital on Monday following the blast.

Another worker, 24-year-old Pathmanathan Thileepan from Paravipanchan, Kilinochchi was killed during the explosion. 

Over 80 mines have been discovered since work began in Mankulam, Mullaitivu at the beginning of August.

Kankesanthurai police yesterday arrested three Tamils from Manipay. 

The men were collecting iron materials from land that was recently released to the public after military occupation, in order to sell the goods in Kankesanthurai and surrounding areas. 

Police officers on patrol allege the Tamils were in possession of 200 12mm calibre bullet capsules. 

The men have been remanded until September 10 by Mallakam court.