An elderly Tamil man has been hospitalised after being hit by a Special Task Force (STF) vehicle in Vavuniya.

A mission is under way to save Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former defence secretary, from two separate civil lawsuits filed against him, local papers report. 

Major General Shavendra Silva's term as the army's Chief of Staff has been extended by six months from June 22 to December 31 despite international pressure for him to resign. 

Sri Lanka's former army commander, and current UNP MP, Sarath Fonseka warned the public to be on alert, following the Easter Sunday suicide bombings. 

Ammunition was reportedly found in Jaffna on Friday in Siruththevu near the town centre. 

<p>India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has invited senior Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs to New Delhi to discuss Tamil issues, Daily Mirror reports.</p> <p>TNA leader R Sampanthan and MPs M A Sumanthiran, Selvam Adaikalanathan and Mavai Senathirajah are reportedly preparing for the trip.</p> <p>Among the topics for discussion will be constitutional reform and a political solution, as well as further talks on Indian support for developing Palaly into an international airport.</p>

<p>The human rights situation in Sri Lanka was “mixed” in 2018, a UK government report stated, citing key concerns including increased inter-communal tensions, the slow delivery of key reconciliation commitments, delays in introducing new human rights compliant counter terrorism legislation and a stalled transitional justice process.</p> <p>&nbsp;The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual report, ‘Human Rights and Democracy in 2018’ said that “throughout the year, human rights defenders in the North and East raised increased concerns of surveillance and harassment.”</p>

A roadside Christian shrine in Jaffna was vandalised and its statue smashed by unknown attackers on Sunday night.

The shrine to the Virign Mary in Maniyam Thoddam was one frequently used by local worshippers.

Police said they were investigating the incident.

Sri Lanka on Saturday released 18 Tamil Nadu fishermen following over two months of detention for alleged illegal fishing. 

Sri Lanka's prime minister, Maithripala Sirisena held discussions with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin on Saturday, on strengthening bilateral relations.