The Sri Lankan military announced it had held an art competition for Tamil schoolchildren in Mullaitivu this weekend, as its militarisation of the region persists.

Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena met with both the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres and Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland whilst in New York last week, where they discussed “reconciliation” on the island.

The Sri Lankan president’s official media outlet claimed both Guterres and Scotland “praised Sri Lanka” for “progress”, though there have been no press releases from the UN Secretary General’s office or the Commonwealth on the meetings.

Three Tamil youths have been arrested in Jaffna in connection with gang violence, Koppay police have announced.

Police said dangerous weapons which the youths were in possession of were also seized.

The three were all around 23-years-old and were from the Vannarpannai, Chavakachcheri and Jaffna Town areas.

Police said they are now in search of a gang leader using the statements given by the arrested youths.

Tamils across the North-East have begun clearing Maaveerar thuyilum illams (LTTE martyr cemeteries) in preparation for Maveerar Naal, or Heroes Day, in November.

Sri Lanka’s prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned that the island’s economy faced “double trouble” as US sanctions against Iran look to come into effect later this year.

“We will have to be vigilant in November this year as the US economic sanctions on Iran is going to be effective then” warned Wickremesinghe. “We will have to see what steps we should take then. It is not clear whether we will be able to export tea to USA.”

Sri Lanka’s finance minister Mangala Samaraweera claimed his government was able to halt a United Nations investigation into human rights violations committed by the military and saved former president Mahinda Rajapaksa from facing trial at an international tribunal.

“Our country was marked as a blood stain on the world map,” said Samaraweera. “We were accused of violating human rights in the war. An international investigation was to be held even without our involvement."

Scotland’s police announced a last minute cancellation of a visit by a contingent of Sri Lankan policemen to the UK, which was scheduled for this month, following pressure from Tamil activists.

The Sri Lankan contingent, which included controversial head of the Sri Lanka Police IGP Pujith Jayasundara, were due to visit for a training program.

However, on Friday night the Foreign Office said “plans for the delegation have changed and the visit is now no longer going ahead next week”.

The Scotsman reports that the cancellation came following pressure from Tamil activists, with artist M.I.A. stating the Sri Lankan states treatment of Tamils was “genocidal”.

Tamils in Jaffna protested calling for the release of Tamil political prisoners who are currently hunger striking for their freedom in Anuradhapura prison.

The US Naval Special Warfare Unit held further training sessions for Sri Lankan navy soldiers in Trincomalee last week, as engagement between the two militaries continues to grow despite a lack of accountability for war crimes committed by Sri Lankan troops.

Sri Lanka's military "is always in its highest readiness to defend the country in all aggressions" said the head of the army Mahesh Senanayake in a speech to troops as they concluded a military exercise last week.