Seven Indian nationals were arrested at the weekend, for alleged visa and trade violations in Kalmunai in the Eastern province, reports Daily Mirror. The seven were said to be selling clothes as well as other items in the Nayapattimuna area.

The Sri Lankan police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said they would be brought before Kalmunai magistrate.

”Having been a member state since 1955, Sri Lanka has and continues to engage with all U.N. systems.

Tamils for Labour have called on the British Labour Party to acknowledge the Tamil people's right to self-determination.

Addressing the annual Labour Party Conference on Monday, Tamils for Labour's Chair Sen Kandiah, reflected on the Scottish independence referendum, saying "hundreds of thousands of [Tamil] lives have been lost for the same right as those people enjoyed in Scotland a few days ago."

Outlining the atrocities and the ongoing abuses against Eelam Tamils during and after the armed conflict, Mr Kandiah called on the Labour Party to "support targeted sanctions, such as travel bans and asset freezes, on Sri Lankan military personnel and politicians" and to "acknowledge the Tamil people’s right to self-determination".

The ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) won the Uva Provincial Council election yesterday, securing 19 seats, 6 seats more than the opposition, United National Party (UNP) which won 13. The JVP won 2 seats.

The UNP made gains, winning 274773 votes, compared to 129144 votes in 2009. The election saw a 70% voter turn out.

In 2009, the UPFA won 25 of the 34 seats in the Council, which is divided into two districts.

Buddhists have protested against an attempt by Catholics to place a religious statue at a junction in the town of Kalutara.

Monks from the Sihala Ravaya led a large mob and said they will not allow the statue to be erected in the town, according to Colombo Gazette.

Tear gas was fired by police who attempted to bring the “tense situation” under control. Police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said the issue was later resolved.

The general secretary of the BJP, P Muralidhar Rao, said that the Indian government believes it needs to engage with the Sri Lankan government in order to solve the Tamil issue, during his visit to Colombo.