Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal on Wednesday issued a stay order preventing any action being taken against the former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). 

The order prevents any action under the Public Property Act until December 6. 

Mr Rajapaksa had filed a writ petition seeking an interim order to stop police arresting him after reports last week that he was to be arrested over the misappropriation of public funds. 

According to the FCID Mr Rajapaksa was intending to use the funds to build a museum dedicated to his parent, D A Rajapaksa. 

Updated 11:50 GMT

Tamils in Toronto gathered to commemorate Maaveerar Naal, the Tamil National Remembrance Day at several events in Canada's largest city throughout the week.

The main event at Markham Fairgrounds saw thousands of people stream through the venue all day. The event was held at three separate times on the day, in order to allow as many people as possible to pay their respects.

Tamils in the Washington DC metropolitan area got together on Sunday to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.

Maaveerar Naal commemorations were held in cities across Europe on Monday.

Tamils in Australia and New Zealand marked Tamil National Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal) on November 27. 

In addition to the lighting of candles and laying of flowers, a number of dances and musical recitals in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the Tamil struggle were performed. 

Sri Lanka’s  State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said the Terrorism Investigation Division would investigate and arrest those involved in organising the commemoration of Maaveerar Naal and marking the birthday of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Responding to questions about events in the North and East from the press, the defence minister said,

“The TID has launched investigations because such actions are illegal. The LTTE is a banned terrorist group. The TID will carry out necessary investigations and arrest those that are involved.”  

Reports have emerged that the University of Jaffna Vavuniya campus has been indefinitely closed to prevent a potential clash between Sinhala and Tamil students.

A group of Sinhalese complained to the university administration that Tamil students commemorated the birthday of the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Velupillai Prabhakaran, reports Dailymirror.lk

According to the news outlet 600 students were asked to evacuate the university premises by Tuesday evening.

Sri Lanka's prime minister and UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday warned his fellow party MPs not to criticise the SLFP president as could jeapordise the government. 

According to local papers, Mr Wickremesinghe was particularly critical of UNP parliamentarians holding press conferences during his recent trip to India. 

Going forward all press briefings would need his approval or that of the General Secretary, Leader of the House or the Chief Government whip.

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena arrived in South Korea today on a state visit which is to focus on building economic cooperation between the two countries. 

Mr Sirisena was accompanied by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tilak Marapana and Minister Daya Gamage. 

A number of economic agreements are expected to be signed including on the Employment Permit System (EPS) and the economic development cooperation fund (EDCF). 

Mr Sirisena will also be visiting a business forum to hold discussion with four large potential investors, Colombo Page reports.