Civil society activists and organisations across the island on Friday condemned the killing of two Tamil students at the University of Jaffna by Sri Lankan police officers. 

In a statement signed by 113 individuals and 12 organisations, the civil society activists called for a "for an independent investigation and so as to ensure justice". 

Demanding that the judicial process be independent, impartial and fast-tracked, the activists said, "speedy and demonstrable action to mete out justice on this incident, and adequate compensation and continued support to the two families, is urgently required with no further delays or attempts to cover-up."

Students at the University of Jaffna protested on Monday demanding justice for the killing of two students on October 20th by Sri Lankan police officers. 

The protest takes places as the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena is due to visit Jaffna. 

The administrative activities of the university have been brought to a stand still as protesters blockade the main entrance. 

Muslims in Jaffna hoisted black flags on Sunday to remember the exodus from the region on October 30th, 1990, when the Muslim community was forced out of the area by the LTTE. 

The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday called some media organisations and NGOs "traitorous forces". 

Addressing an event for the armed forces, Mr Sirisena was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying, "national security should be maintained without belittling it". 

“Some factions act without understanding this. Sometimes, it appears, some media organisations, journalists, NGOs and various traitorous forces do this,” he added. 

Sri Lanka will sell 80 percent of the $1.5 billion Hambantota port to a Chinese firm, reports Reuters.

Speaking at the country’s Foreign Correspondents Association on Thursday, Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said,

“The value will be more than the $1billion and the deal will be signed around the second week of November. For somebody like the Chinese, it is the silk route transit point.”

Buddhist monks from India visited Jaffna this week to pray for the two Tamil university students shot dead by Sri Lankan police last Thursday. 

Conducted a peaceful march outside the grounds of the university, the monks called for the violence to cease. 

Students in Tamil Nadu this week held a protest demonstrating against the killing of two Jaffna university students last Thursday. 

The protest, which was held in Salem outside the District Collector's office, was organised by the Tamil Nadu Students Youths Federation and called for those responsible to face justice. 

A human skeleton was found by locals in Uruthirapuram, Kilinochchi district on Thursday.

The police are yet to identify the skeleton, however have said the deceased appears to have died around two months earlier. 

Two Sri Lankan army intelligence officers who have been held over the disappearance of Sinhalese cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda have been released on bail this week.

The suspects are first accused Lt. Col. Shammi Arjuna Kumararatne and third accused Staff Sgt. Rajapaksa Mudiyanselage Priyantha Kumara Rajapaksa, reports The Island.

A total of seven suspects have now been released on bail by the Sri Lankan courts. A further two suspects continue to be held in remand.

See more from The Island here.

Sri Lanka’s Joint Opposition has challenged the government to provide extra security assurances for police officers in the North-East, following clashes in Kilinochchi between Sri Lankan police and locals protesting over the killing of two Jaffna University students.

"A posse of policemen was surrounded and beaten mercilessly in Kilinochchi by Tamil racists,” claimed Joint Opposition Leader Dinesh Gunawardena. “Who will ensure their safety?" he questioned.