Sri Lanka has shown slow pace of progress on reform and justice, said the nominee for the next US ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz.

In her testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations last week, Ms Teplitz said that,

“Sri Lanka has come a long way since voters in 2015 rejected the corruption, strife, and repression of the past and threw their support behind a reform, reconciliation, and accountability agenda.”

She went on to state that,

Sri Lanka’s shares hit a 15-month low today, as political uncertainty ensured that foreign selling continued for a ninth consecutive session.

Reuters reported that there was “continued foreign selling in blue chips, political uncertainty and concerns about lower economic growth dented investor appetite for risky assets” on the island, as shares continued to fall.

Political uncertainty is the main reason that has kept investors on the sidelines,” said Prashan Fernando, CEO of Acuity Stockbrokers.

The body of a man reported missing last month in Vavuniya has been found in Othiyamaalai, Mullaitivu. 

Rajagopal Kajamuhan from Nedunkerni, Vavuniya was last seen on May 17th at 10:30 when he left home to go to the shops. After he failed to return home his mother reported him missing to Nedunkerni police station. 

His motorcycle was found four days later near to the house. 

Two men have been arrested and produced before Vavuniya court in relation to his disappearance and death. 

Residents in Mullaitivu on Tuesday stopped officials from the Department of Archeology from surveying in land in view of what they believe is an attempt to acquire further land in the region. 

The residents, who where accompanied by local councillors and members of the Northern Provincial Council, TNA and TNPF, arrived en masse as officials were setting up equipment to survey the land, and demanded that they leave immediately.

Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena stated that his government would ensure that “the highest sponsorship will be provided by the government to strengthen the Buddhasasana” at a Buddhist religious event at Tissamaharma on Saturday.

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R Sampanthan told the UN resident coordinator during a meeting on Tuesday that the Sri Lankan government had failed to implement the co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution. 

There has been no meaningful action take on the majority of the resolution, Mr Sampanthan said. 

He also highlighted the military ongoing occupation of land in the Tamil homeland and their use of the land for farming, fishing and other civilian industries. 

The Foreign Correspondents Association of Sri Lanka on Tuesday condemned the intimidation of New York Times local journalists by Sri Lankan lawmakers following an investigation by the paper into China's involvement in Hambantota port. 

"The Foreign Correspondents' Association of Sri Lanka (FCA) is deeply concerned about a campaign of intimidation directed against foreign journalists who contributed to a recent New York Times report on corruption in the island," the FCA said in a statement on social media. 

Sri Lanka police officers serving in the Jaffna district have had their leave cancelled following a spate of violent crimes across the peninsula which have left residents disturbed and angry with the police for its failure to protect communities.

Different areas of the district have recently been left reeling by murders, gang violence and shocking cases of sexual violence.

With local protests being targetted mainly on the police's failure to prevent violent crime, Jaffna police have had all leave cancelled until July 18th.

The editor of the New York Times, Michael Slackman condemned the intimidation of journalists by Sri Lankan lawmakers following a NYT report last month into Chinese control over of the Hambantota port. 

Sinhala MPs and politicians have condemned the Tamil UNP state minister, Vijayakala Maheswaran, who reportedly said last week the LTTE was needed in the North-East to prevent the rising violence and anti-social behaviour that is taking place in the region. 

The State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene said he abhorred her statement and warned that legal action could be taken.