A clinic based at the American University's law college has called on the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) to investigate charges of genocide against the Sri Lankan state and refer the country to the International Criminal Court.

In an article, published in the college's Human Rights Brief, the UNROW Human Rights Impact Litigation Clinic details aspects of Sri Lanka's genocide against Tamils, including killings, measures intended to prevent births and the government's intent to destroy a group in whole or part.

"The obligation to prevent and punish genocide under the Genocide Convention is not a matter of political choice or calculation, but one of binding customary international law. The Office of the High Commission on Human Rights’ Investigation on Sri Lanka (OSIL) should investigate and report on the charge of genocide in its submission to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015. The UN Security Council should refer the situation in Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court for prosecutions based on war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide," UNROW argued.

Sri Lanka has reiterated its position that it will not remove the military from the country's north, saying that the new government's priority remained with national security.

Newly-appointed state minister of defence, Ruwan Wijewardena said President Maithripala Sirisena made it clear he will not allow the country to be divided.

Sri Lanka's parliamentary speaker Chamal Rajapaksa will remain in his position under the new government led by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Photograph: ColomboPage

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena vowed to always seek advice from the Buddhist clergy and “do each and every action” to ensure the well being of the Buddha Sasana, in a speech given at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple on Saturday.

Speaking after worshipping at the site, Mr Sirisena told the audience of monks that he “will always seek the advice and the blessings from the Maha Sangha to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities [the government] has to the people”, reports ColomboPage.

The Sri Lankan president further added that “he will take every action for the betterment for the people and the Buddha Sasana”.

Photograph: Facebook - Sajith Premadasa

The former head of Sri Lanka's army, Sarath Fonseka, will contest parliamentary elections later this year, according to officials from his Democratic Party.

Senior party officials are discussing procedures in order to enable Fonseka to become a member of parliament. The party leader was previously blocked from contesting after his failed attempt to unseat former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Former minister Mervyn Silva has filed a complaint to the CID against Gotabaya and Basil Rajapaksa, over criminal activities, including white van abductions and the killing of a journalist.

Mr Silva said former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was behind the notorious white van abductions, which were used to devastating effect, especially against Tamils.

“I do not want to take revenge from anyone. They are the ones who took revenge from me. I was not given a proper ministry to work. I came to the CID to complain over all the murders such as Bharatha Laksman Premachandra, Lasantha Wikrametunge and the attacks on several private media institutions. It is Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was behind the white van culture in the country,” he said.