Sri Lanka is being watched by the world said the US Under Secretary for Management Organisation of American States during an independence day address to Sri Lanka’s High Commission in the US.

Welcoming Sri Lanka’s co-sponsoring of the UNHRC resolution and returning of some lands to Tamil owners, the Patrick F Kennedy said,

“The world is watching Sir Lanka. Your solutions, if successful, can become the blueprint for future nations, who are trying to find their way back to peace, justice and harmony.”

Full statement reproduced below.

India’s External Affairs Minsiter Sushma Swaraj on Friday met with Sir Lanka’s prim minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss Indian investment and the Trincomalee harbour area, reports firstpost.

Ms Swaraj is set to attend the ninth session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission which looks to address matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena declared his government was “determined to face” a UN Human Rights Council resolution in order to protect the “pride and dignity” of the armed forces.

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa slammed attempts to sing the ‘Sri Lankan national anthem’ in Tamil, stating that it was part of an attempt to appease the Indian government.

Mr Rajapaksa added that he would be boycotting the ‘Independence Day’ commemorations in Colombo, alongside members of the joint opposition.

The former president was joined by the chief Buddhist monk of the Malwatte Chapter, who also spoke out against singing the song in Tamil.

Black flags were hoisted at Jaffna University to mark Sri Lankan Independence Day today, as a symbol of protest against the ongoing repression in the Tamil homeland.