A Sri Lankan soldier that was detained for a over a year as a suspect in the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickramathunga, has been awarded compensation after the Supreme Court found his rights had been infringed.

The soldier, K. Priyawansa, was attached to the Intelligence Unit, and challenged the legality of his arrest, decision to detain him and his prolonged detention.

Tamil business owners in Kilinochchi held a protest on Thursday in solidarity with the people of Pilavu that are protesting for the return of their lands.

A group of civil society organizations released a statement today calling on the Sri Lankan government to meet the demands of Keppapilavu protestors and release their land from military occupation. 

Sri Lanka’s former president Chandrika Kumaratunge blamed the Tamil diaspora for “singling out war crimes” and said accountability for violations of international humanitarian law must be looked at after constitution reform has taken place.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ms Kumaratunge said that she has experience of “working with the Tamil community closely” and has visited the Tamil North-East.

Protesters at Pilavu have vowed to remain at their site, despite a reported pledge by the Sri Lankan president to release their lands.

According to the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) research has been initiated to examine the security implications of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects and the presence of foreign workers on the island.

The INSSSL stated that during an interagency meeting on guidelines for FDI approval, there was a consensus that the government should encourage FDI with caution.

Human Rights Watch this week urged the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull to push the issue of accountability with his Sri Lankan counterpart who is currently visiting Australia. 

The Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe sparked anger among Tamils and human rights activists after he this week said "all is forgiven" and urged asylum seekers who had fled the country to return, adding "even Tamils". 

Speaking at a press conference in Canberra together with his Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, Mr Wickremesinghe said, "Come back. All is forgiven."

The Northern Provincial Council has called on the Sri Lankan president, prime minister and leader of the opposition to release Pilavu land.

Writing to President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wikremesinghe and Sampanthan MP, the council members called for an intervention in order to resolve the peaceful agitations of the Pilavu protestors.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has received an honorary doctorate from Deakin University in Australia for his efforts in post-war reconciliation on the island.

"Mr. Wickremesinghe has emphasized the need for reconciliation, whilst ensuring accountability, and enabled groups riven by conflict to find common ground in a more hopeful future," said a university spokesperson.

Locals around the Northern Province have reported a heightened presence of armed forces in their towns over the weekend.

A memorial event was held in Jaffna this weekend, to mark the 8^th anniversary since the killing of Tamil journalist Puniyamoorthy Sathiyamoorthy.