The South African government has offered support and advice to Sri Lanka in its attempts to bring a political solution to the island.

The External Affairs Ministry said a delegation visiting Colombo offered assistance to External Affairs Minister GL Peiris on Friday.

Deputy Minister of International Relations Ebrahim Ebrahim and former Minister of Constitutional Affairs Roelf Meyer were part of the delegation.

The vehicle of the TNA's candidate for the upcoming Eastern Provincial council election, Markandu Nadarasa, came under attack on Friday. See here for report on Uthayan and Tamilwin.

The incident occurred by Batticoloa temple way on Friday afternoon, when after conducting a campaign event, masked men on motorcycles drove past Nadarasa's vehicle and attacked it with stones, smashing the windows of the car.

The Sri Lankan Police have disrupted the last rites ceremony of a Tamil political prisoner who passed away on Wednesday, after spending weeks in a coma following an attack on Tamil prisoners by prison guards.

The body of 37-year old Mariathas Nevis was handed over to his family in order to hold the last rites ceremony at around 5.30 yesterday evening in Passaiyoor, Jaffna

Uthayan reported that Sri Lankan policemen entered the home where the last rites were being held and halted traditional instruments from being played at the ceremony.

The Tamil Buddhists Association of Jaffna has been trying to promote religious harmony between Hindus and Buddhists by distributing cloth to 100 schoolchildren from low income families, the Daily News reported.

The Jaffna Vihara Chief has said that more would be done to spread the ways of the Dhamma to the North.

The army is reported to be heavily involved in these activities.

TNA members and supporters of MP Mahendralingam, were attacked by members of Pillayan's TMVP group on Wednesday morning, reported Uthayan.

The TNA supporters were gathered at an election campaign event in Selvanakar, Batticoloa district, ready for the Eastern Provincial council elections in September.

The body of an elderly Tamil woman was found murdered in her home in Koppai this morning, reported Uthayan.

The body, found beaten with open wounds and lacerations, is that of 70-year-old Kumarasami Mangayakarasi. Her jewellery, including earrings and bangles, were missing.

Mrs Mangayakarasi lived alone in her home near Naasimar temple, Koppai Old Street. She is reported to have four children, who currently reside abroad.

The Sri Lankan Army has stepped up its random search operations in Mullaitivu reported Uthayan on Tuesday.

Residents have complained that the searches have become even more regular than previously, with numerous bicycles, motorcycles and cars being searched.

Amidst this heavy army presence, three Tamil men were found murdered in Visuvamadu, Mullaitivu district this week.

The Sri Lankan President inaugurated a development project in the Southern Province of Uva earlier, which the government is funding with the help of a US$540 million loan from Iran.