The German Foreign Ministry’s report on human rights around the world highlighted Sri Lanka’s continuing military occupation of land in the North-East and lack of accountability for crimes committed during the armed conflict last month.

The report, which examines the period from October 2016 until September 2018, stated that “a judicial accountability mechanism to investigate alleged crimes during the civil war also remained unaddressed”. “The government rejected any international involvement in such a judicial body,” it noted.

Indian troops arrived in Sri Lanka this week, as they prepared to take part in the annual ‘Mitra Shakthi’ military exercise. 

The Colombo appointed governor of the Northern Province today claimed the report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was based on information from "gossip websites". 

Sri Lanka's President's Counsel, Yasantha Kodagoda is to be appointed as President of the Court of Appeal despite years of criticism of his active efforts to delay and deny justice for serious crimes. 

Sri Lanka's SLPP party accused the government of an "unconstitutional" move in co-sponsoring the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution. 

A recently passed UN resolution on accountability on Sri Lanka alone will not lead to change, said UK-based charity Freedom from Torture, calling for clearer timelines on Colombo to deliver on promises made to the international community.

In a press release on Friday, the charity said the adoption of the UN resolution which grants Sri Lanka a further two years to implement a hybrid court with foreign judges to try those accused of violating international law was an “important step but we need a clear plan”.

Sri Lanka’s prime minister claimed to have “preserved Sri Lanka’s sovereignty” at the United Nations Human Rights Council last week, as he doubled down on his government’s stance against an international criminal justice mechanism.

Sri Lanka's Mattala airport is to be developed with India's Aviation Authority, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe said today. 

For almost a decade, Tamil victims have looked to the UN Human Rights Council in their pursuit of justice. However, after years of resolutions followed by an extension, alongside lack of any progress on accountability, events at Geneva this week brought another deep disappointment.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former defence secretary accused of leading a military offensive that massacred tens of thousands of Tamils, may run as a candidate in this year’s presidential elections, reports The Hindu.

Political sources reportedly told The Hindu that Gotabaya “is very likely" to represent his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa’s, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).