There has been no progress in investigations into murdered Tamil journalists, despite the Sri Lankan government’s pledges, said the Federation of Eastern Journalists.

Speaking to ucanews.com, Thev Athiran, president of Federation of Eastern Journalists, said that there had been little government support, despite Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe telling parliament in December that the government would pay compensation to the families of 44 journalists.

He went on to state that there had not been any progress in the investigations of murdered Tamil jouranlists.

"Most of the families of killed Tamil journalists have left the country due to fear," said Mr Athiran. He highlighted the killing of Subramaniyam Sugitharajah, who was murdered on January 24 2006, shortly after he took photos of the bodies of five Tamil students who were executed by Sri Lanka’s security forces.

The Royal Navy warship HMS Defender visited Sri Lanka, becoming the first British warship to do so in four years.

In a press release on Monday, the British government stated the UK had a “long military history” with Sri Lanka and the visit “ is a welcome signal of the closer defence relations the two countries are developing”.

The Tamil People’s Council called for the recognition that “Tamils constitute a distinct people with the inalienable right to self-determination” in a draft set of proposals, calling for a political agreement prior to a constitutional enactment in Sri Lanka.