There was a tense situation in Mullaitivu today after locals were angered by police inaction against the attempt to build a Buddhist vihara by a group of Sinhala people, including Buddhist monks. 

The group were caught by locals and handed over to Oddusuddan police today. Despite a pledge to ensure the suspects would be produced before court, the police later released the monks. 

Local residents, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and a number of women's organisations protested today against the increasing violence against women, calling for action.

Condemning the increased violence, demonstrators demanded that the situation be brought under control and submitted a petition to the Sri Lankan president and prime minister. 

The demonstration was organised by the Council of Non-Governmental Organisations for Jaffna District. 

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena attempted to block courts from investigating crimes committed by the armed forces by ordering that information on them should not be submitted to court. 

According to the Sinhala weekly, Anidda, Sirisena issued an order at a meeting on August 28, attended by the country's defence secretary, chief of defence staff and senior police and defence officials. 

The order comes as the chief of defence staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne is wanted over his involvement in helping the main suspect in the abduction and murder case of 11 Tamil youths evade arrest. 

Sri Lanka is preparing to accept further Chinese loans later this year, which may push Colombo further into debt reports the Economic Times.

The ET reports that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is currently working with the People's Bank of China, to issue the equivalent of $250 million worth of yuan-denominated Panda bonds by the final quarter of 2018. The fresh loan will add to the recently secured a $1 billion syndicated loan from China Development Bank.

An elderly Tamil man has been arrested in Kilinochchi after he staged a protest against corruption in the Sri Lankan police force.

A Tamil mother and child from Batticaloa have been reported missing.

Jothimalar Tharshan and her 4-year-old son Nixon Tharshan of Punnacholai, Batticaloa have been missing since Friday, according to a complaint filed with Batticaloa police by relatives.

Jothimalar’s partner is currently working abroad in the Middle-East, relatives said.

The Sri Lankan army’s continued occupation of divisional council-owned properties in Valikamam North is preventing resettlement and rehabilitation of the division, a council-member said.

The chair of Vali North divisional council (prathesa sabai) said that among several state properties and schools, seven council-owned properties were still being held by the army.

These were identified as the divisional council headquarters, the Kankesanthurai library, a children’s park, a rest house and three sports grounds in Kurumbusitty, Vasavilan and Kankesanthurai.

The cost of bread rose this week due to government taxes on palm oil which is used in baking. 

A 450g loaf of bread will now cost Rs 5 more, the president of the All Ceylon Bakers Association, N K Jayawardene was quoted by Ceylon Today as saying. 

The Consumer Affairs Authority rejected media reports that the cost of flour was also due to rise. 

A Tamil worker was killed in a landmine explosion during de-mining work in Mankulam on Monday.

Sri Lanka's Special Task Force (STF) yesterday arrested a Tamil youth in Jaffna for allegedly possessing heroin. 

The man is believed to be from Mallakam, Uduvil.

The STF officers have handed over the suspect to Chunnakam police.