Several Buddhist organisations are planning to take legal action against the Tamil National Alliance's 'manifesto' in the run up to the Northern Provincial Council elections.

"Post-2009, grave concerns still exist about military engagement in civilian activities in the north, including sexual abuse, the situation of detainees from the war, the impact of forcible disappearances, impunity, hatred and violence against religious minorities, the intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, the weakening of democracy, growing authoritarianism, the erosion of the rule of law and the abduction and murder of journalists."

"I want our Prime Minister to show his commitment as an international citizen and as a serious defender of human rights by joining the Canadian Prime Minister in his boycott of the meeting."

Arizona Senator and former presidential hopeful John McCain has asked whether the US should be more active in condemning the ongoing serious human rights violations in Sri Lanka, reported Colombo Gazette.

A Sri Lankan court granted bail today to a Buddhist monk and four laymen that were arrested for attacking Christian places of worship. 

Reports have suggested that women in three Kilinochchi villages were subjected to coercive birth control last month.

India’s Shipping Minister, GK Vasan, has expressed his opposition to the proposed sale of two naval ships to Sri Lanka.

“I am against the selling of warships to Sri Lanka. I will meet the Prime Minister soon and represent him not to sell the warships,” he told reporters at a function in Erode.

The Buddhist Ravana Balaya group warned today that the Tamil National Alliance’s Chief Ministerial Candidate, C.V Wigneswaran would not be allowed to return to Colombo following the results of the Northern Provincial Council election.

In a statement released today, the All Party Parliamentary Group For Tamils, urged the British government, in the light of Navi Pillay’s recent findings, to reconsider its stance on the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka.

India’s Union Minister of State V Narayanasamy has confirmed to media that India is providing two warships to Sri Lanka under an agreement signed several years ago.

A United Nations led survey into violence against women across the Asia Pacific region found that substantial numbers of sexual violence cases were met with impunity in Sri Lanka.

Lawyer’s Right Watch Canada (LRWC), commemorated Sunila Abeseykara’s life at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Watch full statement from one of the LRWC directors, Gary Anandasangaree, below.

The Tamil National Alliance accused the military of campaigning on behalf of the ruling coalition in the run up to the Northern Provincial Elections today.