The Indian government is fully supportive of Sri Lanka's programmes and is grateful to the new administration's policies on reconciliation and development, visiting foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said according to the Daily Mirror.

“The Indian government will give its fullest support to implement those policies mentioned in that statement”, she said, while speaking about a recent speech delivered by President Sirisena in Sri Lanka's parliament.

Mr Sirisena also thanked India for its assistance.

Tamil protestors in Trincomalee marked Sri Lankan Independence Day on Thursday, by staging a demonstration calling for the return of their loved ones who have disappeared.

The protests took place alongside others across the Tamil North-East, where families of the disappeared called for the government to be held accountable for the missing.

Sri Lanka is being watched by the world said the US Under Secretary for Management Organisation of American States during an independence day address to Sri Lanka’s High Commission in the US.

Welcoming Sri Lanka’s co-sponsoring of the UNHRC resolution and returning of some lands to Tamil owners, the Patrick F Kennedy said,

“The world is watching Sir Lanka. Your solutions, if successful, can become the blueprint for future nations, who are trying to find their way back to peace, justice and harmony.”

Full statement reproduced below.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena declared his government was “determined to face” a UN Human Rights Council resolution in order to protect the “pride and dignity” of the armed forces.