A Sri Lankan soldier that was detained for a over a year as a suspect in the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickramathunga, has been awarded compensation after the Supreme Court found his rights had been infringed.

The soldier, K. Priyawansa, was attached to the Intelligence Unit, and challenged the legality of his arrest, decision to detain him and his prolonged detention.

Priyawansa argued that his detention, which came as a result of being added as a suspect in the Lasanatha murder case, had violated his fundamental right to equality and to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.

The Supreme Court awarded him Rs 100,000 in compensation.

Tamil business owners in Kilinochchi held a protest on Thursday in solidarity with the people of Pilavu that are protesting for the return of their lands.

A group of civil society organizations released a statement today calling on the Sri Lankan government to meet the demands of Keppapilavu protestors and release their land from military occupation. 

The primarily North-East based civil society organizations noted that, "[t]he situation in Keppapilavu is indicative of the Sri Lankan Government’s misleading campaign and slow progress on releasing lands from military occupation across the North-East," and that "[w]ith the Government’s moves towards reforms stalling, there is serious concern that land returns and demilitarization – core demands of Tamil people – are not moving ahead sufficiently."

Sri Lanka’s former president Chandrika Kumaratunge blamed the Tamil diaspora for “singling out war crimes” and said accountability for violations of international humanitarian law must be looked at after constitution reform has taken place.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ms Kumaratunge said that she has experience of “working with the Tamil community closely” and has visited the Tamil North-East.

“The people are not singling out war crimes,” she told reporters in Colombo. “That is the Tamil diaspora.”

Protesters at Pilavu have vowed to remain at their site, despite a reported pledge by the Sri Lankan president to release their lands.

The families of Pilakudiyirippu said that while they welcomed President Sirisena’s pledge, they would not cease their protests until their lands are actually returned.

“We have been betrayed enough times,” one protester told Tamil Guardian on Wednesday.

According to the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) research has been initiated to examine the security implications of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects and the presence of foreign workers on the island.

The INSSSL stated that during an interagency meeting on guidelines for FDI approval, there was a consensus that the government should encourage FDI with caution.

A statement released by the INSSSL stated that as a consequence of increased FDI, there is “a major debate between the “freedom of investment” and concerns of national security.”

Human Rights Watch this week urged the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull to push the issue of accountability with his Sri Lankan counterpart who is currently visiting Australia. 

"Let’s hope that beyond friendly cricket matches, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asks some hard questions about how the Sri Lankan government will provide accountability to victims and their families, still awaiting justice seven years after the horrific end to the country’s long civil war," Elaine Pearson, HRW's Australia director wrote. 

The Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe sparked anger among Tamils and human rights activists after he this week said "all is forgiven" and urged asylum seekers who had fled the country to return, adding "even Tamils". 

Speaking at a press conference in Canberra together with his Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, Mr Wickremesinghe said, "Come back. All is forgiven."