The new US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina Teplitz stressed the need to resolve the country's political crisis in a transparent and democratic manner, in an interview with the Daily FT. 

“We have no dog in this fight. We do not have favourites in this political contest. We are looking at an outcome that respects constitutional processes and transparency and produce a legitimate government," Teplitz said.

<p>A former LTTE cadre committed suicide in his home in Batticaloa on Wednesday according to Kaluvanchikudy&nbsp;police.</p> <p>The cadre was identified as 45-year-old Thisaveerasingham, a father of five.</p> <p>Thisaveerasingham had attempted suicide in the past but had been resuscitated by family members, police said.</p> <p>He reportedly suffered from seizures as a result of shrapnel which had not been removed from his body, despite the injuries being sustained over nine years ago during the war.</p> <p>Police said investigations were ongoing.</p>

<p>The European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka echoed concern expressed by its American counterpart over the ongoing political crisis on the island.&nbsp;</p> <p>"We are of the view that the current situation will result in many adverse economic and social consequences to the country, if it remains unresolved. We would like to highlight that foreign investors and potential businesses are increasingly losing confidence in the reliability of the business environment of Sri Lanka and are reluctant to enter the Sri Lankan market due to the current instability. Most of our members who are established in Sri Lanka and whom have been surveyed are already experiencing negative impacts on their businesses."</p> <p>"We request the relevant political authorities to ensure a stable and reliable business environment through the legal and democratically established institutions as soon as possible. It has been observed that decision making procedures and Government processes have been adversely impacted and in some cases financial damage has been caused to business. We appeal to all parties, political or otherwise, to respect the rule of law to avoid FDI outflow and to enable us to continue promotion of FDI to Sri Lanka. We remain dedicated to the cause of promoting Sri Lanka to European and American investors and to promote fair business and sustainable bilateral trade."</p>

<p>The Batticaloa Municipal Council passed a resolution today condemning the killing of two police officers in the Vavunathivu area of Batticaloa last week.</p> <p>The resolution, brought by Batticaloa mayor T Saravanabavan at the Council’s 12th sitting was passed unanimously.</p> <p>The mayor said the killings had clearly been carried out to disrupt the peace and create chaos for communities.</p> <p>Members of the Council called for a thorough investigation and said that there were widespread suspicions within the Tamil community that those who were responsible for the current political upheaval could have a hand in the killings.</p>

<p>The body of a Tamil man in his forties was recovered from a well in Vavuniya on Wednesday evening.</p> <p>The victim's mother found his body in the well after going to search for him at their home in Eechankulam.</p> <p>According to News 1st, the body was discovered with his hands tied.</p> <p>Police have opened an investigation into the death and sent the body for post-mortem at Vavuniya hospital.</p>

<p>Udaya Gammanpila, the pro-Rajapaksa MP and leader of the Sinhala nationalist Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), has demanded that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and United National Party (UNP) make public any agreements reached between the parties, lest they have 'disastrous' consequences for Sri Lankans.</p> <p>Questioning the TNA's backtracking on the issue of who to support in Sri Lanka's political crisis, Gammanpila said “all of sudden, the TNA changed its stand and decided to support Ranil Wickremesinghe to be the Prime Minister.”</p>

<p>Sri Lanka was among the countries most affected by climate change in 2017, according to research by the NGO Germanwatch.</p> <p>In its report ‘Global Climate Risk Index 2019’, Sri Lanka was ranked second in among countries most affected by climate change, with Puerto Rico ranked highest.</p> <p>“In May 2017, heavy landslides and floods occurred in Sri Lanka after strong monsoon rains in southwestern regions of the country. More than 200 people died after the worst rains on the Indian Ocean island since 2003. The monsoons displaced more than 600 000 people from their homes and 12 districts were affected,” the report said.</p>

The former NPC member, T Ravikaran met with Canada's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka today and urged action on ongoing Tamil concerns. 

The continued military occupation of land, the Buddhisation of the North-East, the disappeared and political prisoners were discussed during the meeting. 

Yesterday the Canadian High Commissioner, David McKinnon met with former LTTE fighters in Mullaitivu. 

Locals in Jaffna said members of Rajapaksa's SLPP party promised educational equipment for children if parents took part in a supportive rally, however, no equipment was later given. 

At the rally, held today, locals said military personnel and police officers dressed in civilian clothes were on the streets nearby. 

"They told us to call for the military to be deployed on the streets to ensure security of the Tamil people," one father, who took part in the protest but did not want his identity revealed, told the Tamil Guardian. 

<p>Following the downgrading of&nbsp;Sri Lanka's sovereign rating yesterday, Fitch Ratings today downgraded the country's financial institutions and several state owned companies, including Sri Lanka Airlines, Sri Lanka Telecom, and Sri Lankan Insurance Corp.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) were downgraded for Sri Lanka’s National Savings Bank, Bank of Ceylon, DFCC Bank and People's Leasing &amp; Finance PLC's.&nbsp;</p> <p>Yesterday Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor's both downgraded Sri Lanka's sovereign rating, following in the footsteps of Moody's.&nbsp;</p>