The Tamil Lawyers Forum released a statement today calling on Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena to release all Tamil political prisoners that are currently being held in Sri Lankan prisons.

“Following the failure of President Maithripala Sirisena to resolve the issue of the Tamil political prisoners before the 7th of November 2015 as promised, the inmates have resumed their fast unto death,” said the Tamil Lawyers Forum.

India’s Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar acknowledged that Sri Lankan troops continued to receive training in Indian defence colleges, despite domestic opposition.

Visiting the Coonoor Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), where there are currently 35 defence officers from 24 countries undergoing training, Mr Parrikar stated that no Sri Lankans were present at that particular institute, due to local protests.

The Sri Lankan government has begun talks with Iran on resuming oil shipments from the country, when sanctions are lifted as scheduled in early 2016.

Sri Lanka imported over 90% of it’s oil from Iran before international sanctions on Tehran came into its place, over its nuclear programme.

The head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Roknoddin Javadi said that Iran was ready to resume shipments once the sanctions are lifted.

“Iran’s oil negotiations have started with Sri Lanka,” the Mehr news agency quoted him as saying.

“All the countries are serious about purchasing crude oil from Iran,” he said, adding “we believe we will have suitable conditions”.

Sri Lanka's only oil refinery is configured to run on Iranian light crude, which meant that the sanctions were particularly devastating for the country.

The Sri Lankan government is keen on clinching several free trade agreements with the US and other countries, and regaining lost trade preferences, such as GSP+, as exports and investments have dropped significantly.

Sri Lanka has freed 126 fishermen from Tamil Nadu it arrested over the last few month.

Some of the released fishermen arrived in India on Friday, however their boats remained in Sri Lanka's custody.

The Rameswaram fishermen who had been languishing in Anurathapuram prison complained about inhumane treatment while they were in prison, including being given rotten food.

At least one fisherman said he suffered from food poisoning and was treated in the jail hospital, according to The Hindu.

Earlier this year, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe repeatedly stated the Sri Lankan navy had the right to shoot Indian fishermen who stray into its waters.