Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a ceremony in Jaffna today for the inauguration of the Duraiappah Stadium, the renovation of which has been funded by the Indian government.

Mr Modi said it was a “landmark day” and praised the renovation which cost over Rs 7 crore. The stadium has been out of use since 1997, at which point the Sri Lankan government controlled the Jaffna peninsula. In 2002 at least 23 human skeletons, including those of children, were discovered during refurbishment works.

Addressing the ceremony via a video link, Mr Modi said that “after a wait of nearly 20 years your applause and cheers will once again rekindle the soul of Duraiappah stadium”. “Even while we are sitting thousands of kilometres away in Delhi, we can feel the pulse of vibrancy, an atmosphere of change in Jaffna,” he added.

The Indian prime minister went on to praise the people of Jaffna stating, “its foundations are supported by your courage and great sacrifices”.

A Tamil woman has been killed and her daughter critically injured after a Sri Lankan military vehicle collided with the couple in Jaffna.

Hiru news reported that the mother and daughter were travelling on a scooter, when a military water bowser collided into them.

Domestic violence and suicides have increased in Jaffna following the end of the armed conflict on the island more than seven years ago according to a counsellor based in the North-East, reports the New Indian Express.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the counsellor said that “domestic violence, mainly in the form of wife beating, is increasing in Jaffna making it a significant social evil here”.

The incidence is particularly increasing amongst men who were themselves victims of torture at the hands of Sri Lankan security forces and was having widespread effects on women and children in the area, report the Express.

Women have since seen higher rates of suicides, whilst “the new culture of social impunity” has also seen an increase an anti-social behaviour from children, the paper reported.