The attack on Tamil ‘Boycott Sri Lankan Cricket’ campaigners by Sri Lankan cricket fans at the Oval on June 17th was truly shocking. What began as Sri Lankan fans shouting and spitting at activists, swelled into anti-Tamil taunting followed by physical assaults, where Tamil activists were punched and kicked by a mob. This attack was not alcohol fuelled sporting hooliganism; nor was it pro-government Sri Lankans attacking anti-government activists - as the attackers’ taunting made clear, the activists were targeted solely because of their Eelam Tamil identity, not for their campaigning. The attack was racially motivated violence by ordinary Sri Lankans against Eelam Tamils on the streets of London.

A Buddhist monk has been remanded in prison for the killing of a man.

Saman Kumara Tillakaratne died during a visit to a temple, after the monk allegedly attacked him with a cricket bat and a brick.

The victim died the day after he was admitted to hospital. Police are reported to have recovered the bat and brick, used in the attack, and a bloodied robe, from the monk’s home.

Recent bilateral discussions between Sri Lanka and the Seychelles have resulted in three new signed agreements that look to bolster air links, defence cooperation and vocational training, reported Colombo Page.

Mahinda Rajapaksa has allegedly refused entry to the new Norwegian ambassador to Sri Lanka partner, as the pair have had a same-sex marriage, reports LankaNewsWeb.

Reports suggest that Rajapaksa has been involved in lengthy conversations on the matter with the Buddhist group, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

The New York Time magazine were stopped by Sri Lankan customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport, reported Ceylon Today.

The Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa claims that his phone is being tapped by a foreign mission and a powerful spy agency, according to Irida Lankadeepa. 

Alleging that an organised team employed by a foreign mission  was attempting to gathering national security secrets, Gotabhaya has reportedly filed a complaint with  his mobile phone service provider. 

Sri Lanka held talks on emerging security concerns in the Asian region with Pakistan, said the Sri Lankan Army Headquarters.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held talks with the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa during a visit to the Colombo. 

The army said, 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in August, reiterated her call for an international investigation on Sri Lanka’s alleged humanitarian law violations.

Indian and Sri Lankan officials held talks in Colombo about trade, investment and economic cooperation.

"Recognising that India is Sri Lanka's leading trade partner and that bilateral trade between the two countries has now reached $5 billion, it was agreed that the potential which remains to expand bilateral trade further to the tune of $10 billion would be exploited in the next 3 years," said a statement issued by the government today.