The Sri Lankan Army released 683 acres of land from the Vali North high security zone after 28 years of occupation, although of the three village divisions released no village has been returned in its entirety and army camps remain dotted among the released homes. Those who were able to return, returned to find their old homes and infrastructure completely demolished.

The Sri Lankan Campaign said it was “deeply concerning” that the international community has a “growing timidity around the issue of impunity” on the island.

In a blog post on Friday, the group said that if left unchecked, impunity “is a trend which could fatally undermine the already slender prospects for meaningful action on the issue over the next 12 months – the timeframe for implementation currently envisaged by Resolution 30/1, after which scrutiny via the Human Rights Council will come to an end unless a further Resolution is adopted by its members”.

The Sri Lankan government has not done anything to reduce the military footprint in the North-East and oust Sinhalese who illegally occupy Tamil lands and houses said the Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran whilst in Tamil Nadu.

Mr Wigneswaran said that the Tamils that remained on the island faced serious problems from the Sinhalese, reports The Hindu.

A Tamil man has drowned after being chased by police in Mullaitivu.

29-year-old Maheswaran Ramakrishnan and two others were chased by police who had tried to apprehend the three for allegedly drinking alcohol next to a tank (kulam) in Udaiyarkattu.

When the chase reached the water, one of the men swam across to the other bank and escaped the police. Another surrendered without attempting to swim across the bank.

The third, Mr Ramakrishnan, drowned while attempting to cross the tank.

On realising that Mr Ramakrishnan had submerged, police left the the surrendered individual to look for him.

MPs joined British Tamils as they celebrated Tamil new year across the country.

In London, Conservative MP Paul Scully and leader of Kingston Council Kevin Davis joined celebrations at the Sri Raja Rajeswari Amman Temple, Stonleigh.

Speaking at the end of ceremonies, MP Paul Scully shared wishes from British Prime Minister Theresa May’s, who was due to join the visit.

Mr Scully further spoke on the work he does as the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG-T).

Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, praised Tamil Canadians in a message to mark the Tamil New Year on Saturday.

“Today, Tamils in Canada and around the world will celebrate Puthandu and welcome the beginning of a new year,” said Mr Trudeau.

“Puthandu is a chance to reflect on the successes of the past year, embark upon new beginnings, and look forward to the year to come. As Tamils celebrate the New Year, let us all take the time to recognize the important contributions that Tamil Canadians make to our country every day.

“Iniya Tamil Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal,” the message concluded.

Sri Lankan police have made four arrests after a group of foreign tourists were assaulted by locals in Mirissa on Sunday, as they resisted attempts to sexually assault the women in the group.

“We walked towards the exit of the beach when we saw local guys running towards us,” a 19-year-old Dutch tourist told the Daily Mirror. “One guy we were with got punched to the ground and was repeatedly kicked and punched by 5 or 6 guys at the same time, all of these guys had been in the Surf Bar and Restaurant before.”

The Sri Lankan government has made no meaningful progress on justice and reconciliation, the British MP, Joan Ryan, has said.

In a statement for Tamil New Year, the Labour MP for Enfield North said:

I send my warmest wishes to all Tamils in the UK as you celebrate Puthandu. 

As you reflect upon the past twelve months and look forward to the year ahead, I know many of you will be thinking about family, friends and loved ones in Sri Lanka.  

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena is set to visit the UK later this month, as part of a trip to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London.

Mr Sirisena “will be focused on reaffirming Sri Lanka’s firm commitment to the Commonwealth and deepening Sri Lanka’s partnership with the Organisation as well as with each individual member nation” said a Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release.

Op-Ed by Paul Scully, MP

Today Tamils living in the United Kingdom and across the globe will be welcoming a new year. 

It is a time to spend with loved ones, feast, exchange greetings and offer prayers at temples. Whilst it is a time for celebrating with family and friends and enjoying the festivities, it is also a time for reflecting on past achievements and looking towards the future with hope.