“The UNP was compelled to abstain from participating in the vote today due to the government’s non-acceptance of amendments suggested by the UNP that would have helped preserve Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.”

Thousands of Tamils remain blocked by the army from returning to their homes, reports Al Jazeera.

In a video report on militarisation in the North, Al Jazeera interviews Tamil displaced civilians and reveals thousands of acres of occupied land, much of which is used for commercial ventures by the Sri Lankan army.

See video below.

"The reports of several fatalities and dozens injured as well as attacks on homes, businesses and mosques are deeply regrettable. "

“The recent attacks appear to follow a rising trend of violence instigated by extremists which is spreading fear and mistrust among the population.“

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has received one of Bolivia’s highest awards from President Evo Morales and the State Assembly, for the Sri Lankan’s ‘contributions to peace and democracy ‘.

Rajapaksa receiving the award is the first time that a foreign Head of State has been awarded the “Parliamentary Order to the Democratic Merit – Deputy Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz”, one of the Bolivian state’s highest awards.

Anti-Muslim violence continued for a second day in Aluthgama, southwestern Sri Lanka, as Sinhala Buddhist mobs torched dozens of Muslim-owned shops and attacked Muslim houses.

The violence, which started Sunday in Aluthgama, spread to new areas of the town, with rioters moving around freely despite a government curfew and the deploying of over 1,200 police. On Tuesday Army troops were also deployed. See PTI’s report here.

Much of Muslim commerce in Aluthgama has been destroyed with reports of attacks on Muslim businesses in two other towns, the BBC reported.

The violence is being orchestrated by the Buddhist group, Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Force Movement, with Buddhist monks amongst the rioters.

Amnesty International has called for those responsible for anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka to be held to account in a statement released earlier on Tuesday.

Commenting on the recent attacks, David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia Pacific Director, said,

“There has been a disturbing rise in attacks and harassment of religious minorities in Sri Lanka over the two past years, mostly led by groups with a hard-line Buddhist or nationalist agenda, and these groups are reported to have strong links to high-ranking government officials. Rising violence against religious minorities cannot be treated as an isolated issue – stopping it must be a crucial part of the national reconciliation that is so badly needed since the conflict’s end in 2009.”

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said it could do a “full and thorough investigation”, even though Sri Lanka said it will deny access to the team conducting the probe.

OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville told the Daily Mirror that the body had developed extensive methodologies to deal with countries which deny access, referring to the Commissions of Inquiries on Syria and North Korea, where they produced detailed reports and were able to gather evidence.

At least three members of the Muslim community were killed, and over 80 left injured, after Sinhalese mobs went on a rampage in Aluthgama, southern Sri Lanka.

Violence erupted on Sunday, after a rally in the town by the Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhist organisation led by monks, resulted in clashes and attacks on Muslim homes, businesses and mosques.

The attacks are reported to have spread to neighbouring towns today, according to Al Jazeera.

"At least nine shops and up to 40 houses have been gutted in Aluthgama, while three mosques were attacked," Hilmy Ahmed, the spokesman of Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, told Al Jazeera over the phone.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the incidents would be investigated.

Sri Lanka’s media has been relatively muted on the worst violence, while the Government Information Department has warned media institutions from publishing news that could cause “disharmony”, saying that “rumours and misinterpretations have been spread on an incident occurred in Aluthgama yesterday.”

The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict concluded in London last week, with 155 states endorsing a joint declaration pledging to work to prevent and punish sexual violence.

The four-day summit saw countries from across the globe pledge to improve the response and support to victims of sexual violence and their access to justice, as well as exclude such crimes from amnesty provisions.

See the full declaration here.

As public exhibitions, theatre productions and discussions took place, ministers from around the world gathered to discuss the issue of sexual violence in conflict and measures that could to taken to prevent rape, protect the victims and punish the perpetrators. The key initiative launched by the British government was the 'International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict’.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed her "deep alarm" at attacks against Muslims by Sinhalese mobs in Sri Lanka, which are thought to have killed at least 3 Muslims and left over 80 injured in Aluthgama, a town in the South of the island.

“The Government must urgently do everything it can to arrest this violence, curb the incitement and hate speech which is driving it, and protect all religious minorities,” said High Commissioner Pillay.