The Sri Lankan military organised a two day workshop on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the Tamil North-East earlier this month.

Victim consultation and international participation are crucial to achieve accountability and a sustainable peace, according to NGO Pasumai Thaayagam.

Speaking at the 32nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, a representative urged the council to "remain persistent" in encouraging the implementation of the resolution on Sri Lanka, passed in October last year.

"While the Sri Lankan government has made some strides in the right direction, we remain concerned with government statements and messages contrary to commitments made by the government," Pasumai Thaayagam said.

"There is increasing fear amongst Tamils that the current progress on the government's pledges, such as the establishing the Office of Missing Persons, is designed to alleviate international pressure rather than genuinely address concerns. Such fears are exacerbated by the government's lack of transparency and lack of consultations with the victim community in establishing such mechanisms."

The former head of Sri Lanka’s army Sarath Fonseka has been denied a visa to enter the United States, reports the Daily Mirror.

Diplomatic sources were quoted as stating “incidents that happened when he held the post of Army Commander might have resulted in the rejection process,” though this has been denied by his media secretary.

Mr Fonseka, who oversaw the final phase of the armed conflict on the island where tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were massacred, was promoted to become Sri Lanka’s only five star general and the by Regional Development Minister by the current Sri Lankan government.

In December 2015 the former army general was previously denied entry to the US, reportedly over his role in overseeing war crimes.

Swiss Tamils were joined by Tamils from France, Germany and the UK at a rally outside the UN Human Rights Council today, calling for justice to be served through an international accountability mechanism.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a ceremony in Jaffna today for the inauguration of the Duraiappah Stadium, the renovation of which has been funded by the Indian government.

Mr Modi said it was a “landmark day” and praised the renovation which cost over Rs 7 crore. The stadium has been out of use since 1997, at which point the Sri Lankan government controlled the Jaffna peninsula. In 2002 at least 23 human skeletons, including those of children, were discovered during refurbishment works.

Addressing the ceremony via a video link, Mr Modi said that “after a wait of nearly 20 years your applause and cheers will once again rekindle the soul of Duraiappah stadium”. “Even while we are sitting thousands of kilometres away in Delhi, we can feel the pulse of vibrancy, an atmosphere of change in Jaffna,” he added.

The Indian prime minister went on to praise the people of Jaffna stating, “its foundations are supported by your courage and great sacrifices”.