Members of Batticaloa's municipal council yesterday remembered those who had been killed during the final stages of the armed conflict. 

At the end of the council's session, members stood to hold three minutes of silence.

The Northern Provincial Council passed a resolution this week marking May 18 as a Tamil national day of mourning, in memory of the tens of thousands who were killed in the final stages of the armed conflict. 

The resolution was brought by NPC member, Ananthi Sasitharan during the NPC's 122n session on Wednesday, and was seconded by E Jeyasegram. 

It was passed unanimously without any opposition. 

Members of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) on Wednesday joined families in Iranaitivu to clear land that was until recently under navy occupation and donated food items. 

On April 23 villagers from Iranaitivu staged a daring attempt to return to their homes, sailing to the island which continues to be occupied by the Sri Lankan military and marching to their homes, refusing to leave until they are guaranteed their land will be returned to them.

Whilst permitting the villagers to stay, the Sri Lankan navy remains on the island, fuelling uncertainty about the residents right to live in their own lands. 

Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has withdrawn a summons issued for BBC journalist Azzam Ameen, after he was asked to respond to the Cyber Crimes Unit.

The BBC journalist had been asked to report to the CID over a tweet he sent in response to another tweet, which was apparently mistakenly sent out by the official Sri Lankan President’s Media Division account.

The official account had originally tweeted: “You are a wonderful speaker. But how do you ensure they turn into action. Show by doing!”

At least two incidents of US navy personal being sexually harassed whilst in Trincomalee have been reported this week.

Two female US navy personal attached to the USNS Mercy reported that a hotel employee groped their legs, at their hotel in Uppuveli.

Also this week, another US navy female colleague reported being assaulted by a masseuse at a spa in Uppuveli.

The US Navy teamed up with Sri Lanka’s navy to open a series of health clinics in the war affected north-east of Sri Lanka.

A Sri Lankan train attendant who harassed a Tamil woman and racially abused Tamil passengers was arrested yesterday by Jaffna police after videos of the incident went viral on social media, provoking pressure from a Minister and senior government employees. He was released on bail early this afternoon.

Sri Lanka’s parliament re convened with 16 SLFP MPs and resigned Ministers crossing sides to sit with Mahinda Rajapaksa’s joint opposition.

The 16 SLFP MPs walked across the Parliament chambers, with the Joint Opposition MPs banging their desks to welcome them, reports the island.lk.

Sri Lanka’s joint opposition condemned the recently signed Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and Sri Lanka today.

Speaking to press alongside the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman GL Peiris, MP Bandula Gunawardena said,

The National Freedom Front (NFF) condemned the Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) alleged action to stop the construction of Buddhist temples in the North-East.

MP Jayantha Samaraweera (NFF) stated that according to sources, the TNA had informed the Unity Government of its opposition against the construction of Buddhist temples in the North-East.

The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) has increased surveillance on members of the Disabled Peoples’ Organizations (DPOs) in Batticaloa.

There is one DPO for each administrative division and approximately 8600 DPO members altogether – the majority of whom are former LTTE cadres.

Deepening its reach into civilian affairs in the North-East, Sri Lanka's army commander deployed to Jaffna, Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi said the army would completely renovate temples damaged partially or completely. 

Temples that do not have a significant income or means can request the army to provide cement and sand, the commander said. 

The Sri Lankan air force has reported today an AK47 gun went missing from the Keppapilavu base on May 6. 

The air force has filed a complaint with Mulliyavalai police station. 

Locals reported a substantially increased military presence around the Keppapilavu site following the announcement, with air force and police officers seen conducting joint searches. 

An attendant on a North-bound train sexually harassed a Tamil woman and racially abused, and attempted to physically attack, male Tamil passengers who tried to intervene.

The attendant on Train 4077 from Mount Lavinia to Chunnakam on Monday moved seats behind the woman and groped her. The woman moved seats to which the attendant followed her.

Other passengers intervened when the woman shouted, following which the attendant became more aggressive and racially abusive towards the male Tamil passengers.