The Indian High Commission in Colombo said New Delhi agreed to provide further fuel to resolve Sri Lanka’s fuel shortage.

The announcement came following a teleconference between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lanka counterpart Maithripala Sirisena.

“In response to Sri Lanka’s request for emergency petrol shipments, PM assured that India will extend all possible assistance,” said the Indian High Commission.

The Under Secretary of Political Affairs Thomas A Shannon Jr, praised Sri Lanka’s progress on “post-war justice, reconciliation and accountability" and announced plans to provide Sri Lanka’s navy with a second ‘high endurance’ coast guard ship as part of “a tangible symbol” of a “growing partnership” to ensure “regional stability.”

Mr Thomas was speaking during a visit to Colombo as part of the second meeting of the US Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue.

The United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) this week announced funds of $493,827 to promote religious freedom in Sri Lanka, as well as a further $493,827 for projects in India. 

On Sri Lanka, the DRL said it was seeking "to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom."

In an article published on Wednesday, the Associated Press detailed ongoing allegations of rape and torture of Tamil men by Sri Lankan security forces that are said to have taken place between 2016 and July this year. 

Based on the interviews with 20 men and a review of 32 medical and psychological reports, AP noted, "Raped, branded or beaten repeatedly, more than 50 men from the Tamil ethnic minority seeking political asylum in Europe say they were abducted and tortured under Sri Lanka’s current government."

See here for full article. 

The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi visited the leader of the DMK, Karunanidhi on Monday at his home in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 

Mr Modi was greeted by Mr Karunanidhi's son and daughter, Stalin and Kalaimozhi. He later tweeted that he had inquired about Mr Karunanidhi's poor health. 

The premier was visiting the city to speak at the platinum jubilee celebration of the Tamil newspaper, Daily Thanthi. 

The Lank Indian Oil Company (LIOC) on Monday rejected what is described as "mischievous and factually incorrect" reports that it was responsible for the shortage of oil in Sri Lana. 

Four Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on Tuesday, for allegedly poaching fish off the coast of Neduntheevu, PTI reported. 

The arrest is the latest in the ongoing issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan navy personnel. 

Last month the chief minister of Tamil Nadu wrote to the Indian premier, Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene and secure the release of dozens of fishermen currently detained in Sri Lanka. 

The Sri Lankan Navy's continued occupation of civilian's lands has left residents of a Jaffna village fearing they will lose out on an India-funded housing scheme.

Madathu Valavu in Karainagar was formerly a model village housing 44 families, before the homes were destroyed in the war.

Following the announcement of Indian government funding to build houses on the island, local authorities informed displaced residents of Madathu Valathu that their village would be receiving the 24 houses allocated to Jaffna district.

The Sri Lankan Army prevented the community clear-up of an LTTE cemetery in Mullaitivu on Monday.

The second Sri Lanka- US partnership dialogue commenced in Colombo today, with the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon meeting with Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary, Prasad Kariyawasam. 

"Sri Lanka and the United States recalled their co-sponsorship of a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2017, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to promote reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in pursuit of lasting peace and prosperity," a joint statement released on Monday read.