The leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R Sampanthan called on the Sri Lankan government to ensure lands were returned to the Tamil people in an address to parliament this week. 

"The Governemnt is very insensitive on the question of land. Lands must be returned to the people. You are cultivating my land with fruits, vegetables, and crops and selling them in the market at competitive prices. How can this go on?" Mr Sampanthan said, expressing his support for the ongoing protests of Tamils in the North-East calling for the return of their homes. 

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) expressed frustration with the slow pace of progress in Sri Lanka at Wednesday’s review meeting in Geneva.

The review meeting aimed to assess the status of women’s rights in Sri Lanka – a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Sri Lanka failed to provide adequate responses to questions of transitional justice raised by CEDAW – such as whether findings from the consultation task force reports would be implemented, witness protection and the establishment of the Office of Missing Persons.

Security Force Headquarters Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) commenced an English program for officers on Monday.

“The 60 day-long course will focus on latest writing, speaking, listening and reading techniques and communicative skills,” said the army website.

The Tamil district of Kilinochchi is heavily militarised, with military personnel engaging in administrative and commercial activities.

Tamils have have long complained that Sri Lankan soldiers rarely speak Tamil and are ill-equipped to deal with the needs of locals.

Families of the missing resumed a hunger strike protest in Vavuniya on Friday.

Kilinochchi's business community marched on Thursday in solidarity with protestors demanding land returns and with families of the disappeared

A Batticaloa land reform director was shot and injured outside his home on Wednesday evening.

Nesakumar Vimalraj, director of the Batticaloa Land Reform Commission was shot after he was called outside by two unidentified motorcyclists, whose faces were covered by helmets.

Mr Vimalraj was immediately taken to Kaluvanchikudy Hospital, and later transferred to Batticaloa Teaching Hospital for further care.

Locals noted that Mr Vimalraj was a vocal opponent of military land-grabs in the district.

Residents of a Kilinochchi village resumed a protest this week calling for the return of their military-occupied lands.

The conviction of a Malaysian human rights activists for screening the ‘No Fire Zone’ documentary amounts to an “outrageous assault on basic free expression” said Human Rights Watch, in a statement released on Wednesday.

“This prosecution is part of the Malaysian government’s disturbing pattern of harassment and intimidation of those seeking to raise public awareness of human rights issues,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director.