The latest figures from Sri Lanka’s census department reveal that unemployment has almost doubled over the past two years across the Jaffna district, as Tamils across the North-East continue to struggle with their livelihoods.

Unemployment in Jaffna in 2015 was 5.7 percent, but has steadily risen to 7 percent in 2016 and now to 10.7 percent.

Meanwhile, unemployment in Mullaitivu has also risen from 3.7 percent in 2016 to 4.8 percent in 2017.

Fishermen in Mullaitivu today held a demonstration demanding action against ongoing illegal fishing in the area. 

Condemning the widespread practice of accepting bribes in exchange for allowing illegal fishing, the fishermen demanded that any corrupt officials face justice. 

Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division has summoned the leader of the Hindu fundamentalist organisation, Siva Senai to their office in Colombo on September 18. 

The TID have said the inquiry relates to the Siva Senai leader, Maravanpulavu Sachithananthan's foreign trips. 

The summons was delivered to his home on Saturday. 

Eight Tamil political prisoners at Anuradhapura prison continued their hunger strike for the fourth day today. 

M Sulaksan, E Thiruvarul, S Jeyachandran, R Rupan, S Thillairaj, E Jegan, S Sivaseelan and T Nirmalan are demanding they be released following a quick rehabilitation. 

A number of Tamil political prisoners remain in prison for years without charge under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

Sri Lanka's Special Task Force (STF) arrested a fishermen on Saturday in  Thalaiyadi, Maruthenkeni, Jaffna.

STF officers broke into the fisherman's house and allege a bag was found containing explosives. 

The fisherman says the explosive material was being used by him to make dynamite for fishing purposes.

The second day of Thileepan's fast unto death was marked in Jaffna and Batticaloa on Sunday.

The Sri Lankan navy attacked Tamil Nadu fishermen on Sunday, PTI reports.

Fishermen from Rameswaram were threatened by armed Sri Lankan navy personnel near Katchatheevu and around 100 boats had their catch and fishing equipment damaged.

Seven Tamil youths were arrested in Vavuniya for a confrontation with police during a bus search.

The youths were arrested after police stopped a bus they were travelling on in Cheddikulam.

Other passengers travelling on the bus said that the youths became confrontational as they felt the police were harassing them by questioning them excessively.

The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena recalled the country's ambassador to Vienna along with five other embassy staff for leaving his phonecalls "unanswered for several hours", the AFP reports. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Ambassador Priyanee Wijesekera recall, however remained silent on the reason for it. 

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has expressed concern about draft counter-terror legislation, which is intended to replace the widely criticised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

A proposal by the minister of foreign affairs, Tilak Marapana to gazette the Counter-Terrorism Bill was approved by the Cabinet on September 11. 

A Sri Lankan diplomat was arrested last weekend for alleged human trafficking, the Italian news site, Varese7 Press, reported. 

The diplomat, whose identity remains unknown, reportedly attempted to bring two woman and two men in their twenties into Italy, for a fee of 4000 Euros per person. 

An extract from the Daily Mirror is reproduced below: 

A former Sri Lankan minister who was part of the Rajapaksa administration has admitted that surrendered Tamils, including civilians and LTTE cadre, were executed by the military during the end of the armed conflict in 2009. 

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo on September 13, the former higher education minister, S B Dissanayake highlighted the case of the LTTE military commander, Col. Ramesh. 

The Sri Lankan government has rejected news reports stating the country's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was looking to arrest the chief of defence staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne over his alleged involvement in helping the main suspect of a disappearance case evade arrest. 

A hand grenade was found on Friday at the site of the Parameswaran temple, located inside the university complex. 

The grenade, which is understood to be faulty, was found by workers, who are currently renovating the temple.