The Labour party's shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry on Thursday called on the UK government to take a “strong stance at the UNHRC” and “to take further steps to hold Sri Lanka to account by pushing for a follow-up to Resolution 30/1” at the UN Human Rights Council this month. 

The Tamil National Alliance this week highlighted the Sri Lanka's lack of progess on key commitments made to the UN Human Rights Council and called on the government to ensure its promises were kept. 

Speaking in journalists in Colombo Wednesday, the TNA spokesperson, MA Sumanthiran said his party was willing to give the government more time however only if this included a timetable and a process of monitoring to ensure adherence. 

The Sri Lankan Navy saw the passing out of its first ever batch of Marine Corps this week, following training from the United States military, at a navy base on land taken from Tamils.

The Un Human Rights Council catalysed progress in Sri Lanka the US said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the council’s 34th regular session in Geneva, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, Erin Barclay said:

“When the council functions properly, it has the ability to remind states of their commitments and obligations. It can hold countries accountable for the same.”

“When the council works as it should its successes are victories for human rights.”

“For example, HRC action catalysed progress for reform and provided technical assistance to improve accountability for past violations in Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lanka's President Sirisena "made a commitment to the UN on behalf of his country and he must now deliver it", no matter the domestic political situation, British MP, James Berry said during a parliamentary debate.

Sri Lanka's 69-year-long experiment in nation-building is a failed one, the country's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera, told the UN Human Rights Council today.

The report on Sri Lanka by UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye called for the release of the remaining 6,124 acres of land currently under military occupation in the North as "matter of priority". 

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) denied the current head of department, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, stated that the sexual exploitation of Tamil women by the army would jeopardise the reconciliation process. 

Military Spokesperson Brig. Roshan Seneviratne claimed that the “head of an ethnic reconciliation body” said sexual exploitation and abuse of Tamil women by the army in the post-war context would jeopardise the reconciliation process. 

Displaced Tamils in Mannar held a demonstration on Monday to show their support for the people of Keppapilavu who are protesting for the return of their land. 

The Sri Lankan president has instructed the army to return lands in Kepapilavu, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Kilinohchi back to the Tamil people, the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R Sampanthan said on Monday citing a meeting he had with the president.

At a press conference, Mr Sampanthan, flanked by TNA MPs MA Sumanthiran and Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Mr Sampanthan said, "the president clearly told us that he had no objection to the lands being returned to the people in so far us Kepapilavu is concerned."