The Tamil National Alliance said it would not be participating in Sri Lanka's Independence Day celebrations as it was too busy with its election campaigning. 

The TNA spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran said they had informed the committee responsible for organising the celebrations of their decision. 

The announcement comes as the party seeks to woo voters in the North-East, whilst maintaining its close links to the unity government. 

The transfer of three Tamil political prisoners from Vavuniya to Anuradhapura has been halted by the Court of Appeal. 

The three detainees, Sulakshan, Mathiarasan and Dharshan had protested against the planned transfer by hunger striking for 40 days.

The Attorney General department had previously ordered the transfer of the cases to Anuradhapura in the island's south. 

The Tamil National Alliance has this week threaten legal action against the Vanni MP, Sivasakthy Ananthan. 

Lawyers acting on behalf of the ITAK leader, Mavai Senathirajah sent a letter to Mr Ananthan warning him that legal proceedings would be initiated over defamatory comments he allegedly made against Mr Senathirajah. 

"We are instructed that you have made and that you continue to make false and defamatory statements with regard to our client. These statements have been made several times from on and or about 19th December 2017," the letter, forwarded to the press by the TNA Media Office, read. 

The former Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa held a campaign event in Jaffna on Thursday with extra security, including Special Task Force officers. 

The event, held at Veerasingham Hall, was held ahead of the local government elections due this month. 

Former officers from the President Security Division were also present. 

Supporters of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) were harassed by Sri Lankan police officers as they took part in a campaign event in Allaarai on Wednesday evening. 

Armed officers arrived at the event saying they had received information a "riot" is taking place. 

Officers asked organisers and supporters for their phone numbers and National ID card numbers. 

A 21 year old Tamil detainee was attacked by guards in Jaffna prison last month. 

Ravikumar Yathushan, from Kodikaamam, was subsequently admitted to Jaffna teaching hospital where he received treatment for the past 5 days. 

Mr Yathusan's father has filed a complaint with the Jaffna Human Rights Commission regarding the incident. 

The commander of Sri Lanka’s army claimed that his forces had the support of “nearly 100% of the Tamil people” in an interview to a Sinhala magazine last month, yet noted that the military in the North-East had to remain vigilant.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, also stated that the military continues to “maintain surveillance all the time” as the “'Eelam' ideology still persists”.

The British government said any arms deals with Sri Lanka “take into account international humanitarian and human rights law” last week,

Britain’s Secretary of State for International Trade, Graham Stuart, responded to a question by the former Chairman of the Conservative Party Grant Shapps on the UK’s weapons sales to Sri Lanka, stating that “all export licence applications are considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria”.

Preparations were underway this week for a military parade marking Sri Lanka’s Independence Day on Feb 4 despite the military's well documented role in the mass killing, torture and disappearance of Tamils. 

The parade comes as the government continues to claim to be committed to ensuring reconciliation. 

The United National Party pledged to build 1000 Buddhist viharas in the Tamil homeland, under the guise of reconciliation.

“500 million rupees has been allocated to build 1000 viharas in the Northern and Eastern Provinces,” a UNP manifesto said on a page titled ‘Reconciliation’.

The construction of Buddhist sites in the North-East in areas with few, if any, Buddhist residents leaves a perception of Sinhalese imperialism, a US State Department report said last year.