Several Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka have attacked the government for allowing the Sri Lankan national anthem to be sung in Tamil, Ceylon Today reported.

The groups accused the government of "acceding to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam sentiments".

The Ravana Balaya said it is organising a "massive protest" against the government's decision.

The group said the anthem cannot be sung in two languages as stated in the constitution, accusing President Maithripala Sirisena of pandering to Tamils, especially the TNA and "pro-tiger" groups who had voted for him.

"This is why beside mature politicians like the TNA Leader R Sambanthan, there are crooks like Democratic People's Front leader Mano Ganesan placed in the National Executive Council," Ravana Balaya's leader Iththekande Saddhatissa said.

The Bodu Bala Sena's general secretary, Gnanasara said the ruling coalition had violated the constitution twice.

Photos: defence.lk

The former army commander Sarath Fonseka was promoted to Field Marshal, the highest rank of the Sri Lankan military at a ceremony earlier today, the first Sri Lankan to be given the rank.

Mr Fonseka, who is thought to be responsible for tens of thousands of Tamil deaths during his time at the helm of the army, was promoted under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, who presented him with the field marshal baton at the ceremony.

Both India and the US are assisting Sri Lanka with a probe, tracing $2bn allegedly hidden in overseas accounts by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, according to the Economic Times.

Sri Lanka is said to have traced the money to banks in Dubai, an official source in Colombo told the paper.

The appropriation of 20 acres of Land for military use in the North-East was delayed after land owners protested in front of the regional secretariat office in Pudhukudiyiruppu. 

Land owners, local villagers, TNA MPs Sivsakthi Nanthan and Vino Nogatharathalingam, and NPC member K Sivamohan participated in protests outside the secretariat office.

The Land Acquisition Officer who was blocked by protestors from entering the office consequently went to a nearby army base reports Uthayan.

The Jaffna Hindu College Old Boys Association (UK) (JHCOBA) denied a recent announcement that said orgisation had met with the new Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena, during his visit to the UK.

Acknowledging a recent meeting between former students at Jaffna Hindu College and the Sri Lankan president, the JHCOBA UK said the organisation’s name had been unnecessarily been dragged into a personal meeting between the president and individuals.