The Sri Lankan army has extended their general amnesty period for 10 more days, announced the military, allowing those who deserted to return and discharge officially.

Sri Lanka’s military spokesperson Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera told reporters that 12,060 absentees had returned during the amnesty period. On the instruction of both Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and the Defence Ministry Secretary, the period has now been extended until April 25.

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"There are indications that abduction, arbitrary detention, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence have increased in the post-war period. Notably, Tamil women and girls have reported sexual abuse in the context of the ongoing militarization of their areas of residence."

The Tamil National Alliance MP P Selvarajah says unlawful arrests were still continuing in the Eastern Province and warned that the people would teach the new government a lesson if this continued, Ceylon Today reported.

"Fifteen persons have been arrested in Batticaloa alone since the new government came into power. We told our people during the election campaign that such arrests will not take place after January 8. But these arrests continue even after the new government came into power," the Batticaloa MP said, adding the arrests had created panic amongst civilians.

The chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils said he prayed “for a new dawn for the Tamil people”, with the expected release of a UN report on mass atrocities committed against Tamils by the Sri Lankan armed forces later this year.

In a message marking the Tamil new year, Member of Parliament Lee Scott sent his wishes to the Tamil community, adding that,

“This is a wonderful time of celebration and gives us the opportunity to reflect on the enormous contribution British Tamils have made to the economy and culture of Britain borne of strong commitment to family and social responsibility.

Mr Scott went on to state,

“I also pray for a new dawn for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and the victims of war crimes and mass atrocities who suffered enormously and continue to endure extreme hardship, with the release of the UNHRC war crimes report." 

The Sri Lankan military has built army camps on residential land that was reportedly released to displaced Tamils in Jaffna, reports Uthayan.

”Only less than 20% of the lands released are residential lands and there are army camps in 46 acres of land released,” said S Sukirthan, Vali North regional Council chairman, stating that the camps had been built in Varuthalaivilan.