The bureau chief of the German NGO, Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, was arrested in Colombo on Thursday and released on bail, with conditions not to leave the country.

The foundation, which has worked to promote democracy in Sri Lanka for over 50 years and is close to the main German opposition, has condemned the arrests.

1. The possible re-emergence of terrorism
2. The emergence of other extremist groups
3. The creation of ethnic divisions and communal violence
4. The challenges of maritime security and border control
5. The growth of organised crime
6. Foreign interference in domestic affairs
7. Non-traditional threats through technology driven new media, including social media.

"The threat of terrorism re-emerging still persists. One of the main reasons for the LTTE’s success during its heyday was its extensive international network, which has been in operation for many decades."

"As a result of the July 1983 riots, a large number of Tamil people left Sri Lanka and travelled to countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and parts of Europe. These countries granted asylum to these immigrants, and later granted them citizenship. As such, there is a large population of immigrant Sri Lankan Tamils in other countries. A small minority of this population supports the LTTE even to this day. Extremist elements within this community, together with LTTE agents and operatives, including trained terrorists who fled Sri Lanka at various times during the war, comprise the LTTE’s international network."

Sri Lankan government to present the 19th amendment as an urgent bill to parliament next week, said Media Minister and cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella on Thursday. 

Minister Weerawansa called for a referendum on abolishing the 13th amendment if the government could not be confident of securing the two-third parliamentary majority needed to repeal it. 

Stating that the changes proposed by the government to the 13th Amendment were  insufficient, Wwerawansa said that all provisions allowing separatism must be abolished.

Weerawansa, also leader of the National Freedom Front said:

“We promised the people at our May Day Rally that we will make sure to have land and police powers and all other provisions which support separatism be abolished before the Northern polls in September. We held a 10-day countrywide petition signing campaign calling for the abolishing of the 13th Amendment. More than one million people including UNP, SLFP and JVP provincial councillors and Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen supported us in this worthy course,” 

TNPF press conference 13/06/13. (Left to right: General Secretary Selvarajah Kajendran, President Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, and Party Organiser Visva Manivannan)

"It [13th Amendment] cannot be used as a starting point. It cannot be used as an interim solution. It cannot be used as a final solution. There is no room for even any discussion on the possibility of using the 13th Amendment as part of a political solution."

The #Boycottlka campaign moved to the Kennington Oval in London, today. In the lead up to the highly anticipated International Cricket Champions Trophy match between England and Sri Lanka, several activists handed out leaflets amongst large crowds outside the Oval

Activist explains the importance of a boycott of Sri Lanka