Shavendra Silva, Sri Lanka’s chief of defence staff who remains banned from entry to the United States over his role in war crimes, sent his “compliments” to China this week, as he called for the strengthening of relations between the two governments.

Marking the National Day of the People’s Republic of China, Silva sent a message claiming that “Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China have enjoyed a very friendly and cordial relationship since time immemorial”.

The Financial Times looked at how Sri Lanka’s military “has so little to do that soldiers are running hotels and restaurants,” in a piece examining the ever-present militarisation of the island.

“Despite more than a decade of peace, Sri Lanka’s military remains among the world’s largest on a relative basis,” said the FT.

The Sri Lankan government may have the backing of just 6 member states at the United Nations Human Rights Council, according to the Daily Mirror, as it continues to grapple against another resolution on accountability for mass atrocities.

The Jaffna Tamil community has played an important role “in every facet of Malaysian society”, said the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, at a book launch in August.

“These contributions are an integral component of the multicultural nature of Malaysia that we all cherish,” said Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, at the launch of the book titled “They Came From Jaffna”.

A sports tournament was held in Netherlands last month to commemorate the 35^th anniversary since the death of the LTTE’s Lt. Col. Thileepan.

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Sarah Hulton, held a series of discussion in Mannar and Vavuniya today, as she embarked on a visit to the North-East.

Meeting with Sri Lankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, congratulated the Sri Lankan premier on his appointment and vowed that he would work to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries.

 As Tamils across the North-East marked Children's and the Elders' Day, local authorities in Mannar celebrated the life of Manuel Santhan, a resident who recently turned 100 years old.

The head of the Mannar District Council, as well as other local officials garlanded the senior resident in a ceremony on Saturday. Santhan is a resident of Salamban village in Manthai West Divisional Secretariat Division, Mannar District.

Senthilkumaran Ratnasingam who self immolated in front of the United Nations in Geneva in 2013 was remembered last month. 

The Swiss Tamil Youth Organization paid their respects by laying flowers and lighting lamps for Ratnasingam and to all those who sacrificed their lives for the Tamil right to self-determination.

The Mannar Volleyball Premier League was inaugurated this week, marking the first time that it is taking place in the district, with as many as 96 club players and international standard referees taking part.

The league will see eight teams playing matches throughout October, and aims to showcase and uplift the standard of volleyball in the region.