Locals in Mullaitivu came together on Tuesday to clear up the Mullivaikkal memorial grounds in preparation for May 18.

Commencing with cross-faith prayers at the memorial stand in the grounds, the works were overseen by Hindu and Christian religious leaders.

Tamil genocide remembrance week continued across the North-East with vigils today in Chemmani and Chavakachcheri in the Jaffna district.

The United Nations Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and Responsibility to Protect, Adama Dieng and Karen Smith, released a statement of concern in response to widespread anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka last weekend.

The experts warned that the recent violence was pushing Sri Lanka back towards a  period of armed inter-ethnic conflict.

People that fail to accept Sri Lanka as a Sinhala Buddhist country should not remain in the country, claimed the Mahanayaka (Chief Prelate) of the Kotte Chapter, one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent Buddhist chapters.

In a discussion with MP Dinesh Gunawardena about the upcoming Buddhist celebrations of Vesakh, the senior monk, Dhammalankara, said, “according to the history that I know of, no Buddhist or non- Buddhist has ever said Sri Lanka is not a Sinhala Buddhist country. Even Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith who is not a Buddhist has said this is a Sinhala Buddhist country and that he is fortunate to live here."

Sri Lanka's army commander, Mahesh Senanayake made clear the army would not hesitate to use any level of force, including opening fire in response to the Easter Sunday bombings by Islamist extremists and the recent days of anti-Muslim violence. 

Condemning the anti-Muslim violence taking place over recent days in Sri Lanka, the United Nations called on the government to ensure the situation did not escalate. 

A former LTTE cadre, known as Ajanthan, who was detained for six months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the murder of two police officers in Batticaloa was formally cleared of his charges by Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court. 

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, S Sritharan told parliament that the former defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the real "master" behind the Easter Sunday bombings. 

His comments come amid widespread reports of close association between Gotabhaya and the now banned Islamist extremist organisation, National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ), which was one of the groups responsible for the attacks. 

Batticaloa's Zion church held its first Sunday service under Pastor Roshan Maheshan this weekend following the Easter Sunday bombings. 

The Mullaitivu Magistrate's Court has ruled in favour of the Neeraviyadi Pillaiyar temple, confirming its longstanding existence in old Semmalai.