Sri Lanka has banned any activities to commemorate the Tamil fighters that died in the armed conflict.

Army spokesperson Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya has said that any attempts to promote or glorify the LTTE, both directly and indirectly, under the guise of media freedom will be punished, in relation to the upcoming Heroes' Day on November 27, when Tamils remember those that gave their lives for the struggle.

Responding to questions regarding an earlier statement which urged Sri Lanka to address human rights issues, China today reiterated its acknowledgement of progress in Sri Lanka, despite growing concerns over the deteriorating  state of reconciliation and human rights on the island.

In an emailed statement, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, claimed that the progress they saw in Sri Lanka meant that there was no change in stance, concluding, “the Sri Lankan people have the wisdom and capacity to deal appropriately with their internal affairs.”

The Northern Province’s Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneswaran has said that the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) faces many impediments to its ability to function.

Picture: TamilNet

Civic members of the Karaveddi South-West Pirathesa Sapai (PS) were attacked by security forces after commemorating LTTE cadres, just days before the annual Heroes Day on November 27 or 'Maaveerar Naal'.

According to TamilNet, the chair of Karaveddi South-West PS, Mr P. Viyakes, was questioned by security personnel and later attacked.

Further reports of attacks on the deputy head of Valveddiththurai Urban Council have also emerged.

Members of the Sri Lankan military allegedly attacked the councillor’s house at 2am and threatened his family.

Over 150 Tamil students from across the UK gathered today at the annual Youth Maaveerar Naal in remembrance of lives that have been sacrificed in the Tamil nation’s struggle against genocide .

The inter-university remembrance event, ‘Youth Maaveerar Naal’, hosted this year by Imperial College London, saw several universities prepare theatrical dance performances, poems, songs and speeches in remembrance of sacrifices in the Tamil struggle against genocide.

Latest figures form the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection indicate that most of the asylum seekers coming from the island of Sri Lanka had been persecuted on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.