<p>One of Sri Lanka's ministers today claimed that Buddhism was the only pacifist religion that did not promote killings unlike Islamic Jihad.&nbsp;</p> <p>Champika Ranawaka of the JHU said Buddhism did not try to propagate the religion, contrasting it with Jiha, which he said aimed to "exterminate all except those who follow Allah".&nbsp;</p>

The massacre of 31 fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy in Mandaitivu, Jaffna was remembered today thirty-three years on. 

The fishermen had gone fishing by Kurunagar port when they were attacked by navy personnel. 

The massacre of at least thirty-one children and students by the Sri Lankan air force was remembered today. 

On June 10, 1998, the air force shelled Suthanthirapuram, Mullaitivu. 

Gathering in the memory of those killed, local residents joined families of the victims in remembrance. 

<p>Macau have pulled out of a football World Cup qualifier set to take place in Sri Lanka this week, citing security fears following the Easter Sunday bombings.</p> <p>Although Sri Lankan football authorities insisted the country was safe for international matches, the Macau Football Association said it had decided not to send a team "due to the recent terrorist attack in Sri Lanka and for the sake of the team's personal safety".</p>

<p>A Sinhalese man was arrested on drugs charges in Vavuniya on Sunday.</p> <p>The 45 year old was arrested after being found in possession of over 2 grammes of heroin, Vavuniya police said.</p> <p>The arrest took place in the Thekavathai area of Vavuniya district.</p>

The Sri Lankan government yesterday took pains to defend its decision to sign an agreement with India and Japan to develop the East Container Terminal at Colombo Port. 

Sri Lanka's chief of national intelligence, Sisira Mendis resigned today just days after he told the parliamentary select committee investigating the Easter Sunday bombings that the attacks could have been prevented. 

The Indian premier, Narendra Modi today visited Sri Lanka for four hours, becoming the first foreign leader to do so since the Easter Sunday bombings by Islamist extremists. 

Tamil families of the disappeared protested the Sri Lankan president’s visit to Mullaitivu on Saturday.

The families, who have been protesting for over two years for answers on their forcibly disappeared relatives, criticised President Sirisena for failing to fulfil any of his promises made during his meetings with them.