Sri Lanka’s president has apologised to a group of Sinhala extremist monks from Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), after police launched tear gas at a protest held by the organisation earlier on Monday.

The monks, who were seen posing with a racist Sri Lankan lion flag, were calling for the release of jailed BBS leader Galagodaatte Gnanasara.

Sri Lanka’s parliament met on Monday morning, amidst a week of violence in the chambers, with the session ending after just 10 minutes.

In a relatively peaceful sitting in comparison to last week's clashes, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri presided over the brief proceedings. He declared parliament adjourned until Friday the 23^rd of November.

Parents of Maaveerar (fallen LTTE cadre) were honoured in Batticaloa on Saturday evening ahead of Tamil Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal) on November 27. 

The parents of over 50 Maaveerar were given parcels of household items by members of the Tamil National People's Front. 

A 25 year old Tamil youth was arrested on Friday for allegedly being in possession of heroin. 

The youth, who has not been named, is from Navatkuli, Jaffna. 

The police allege 250mg of heroin was found on his person. 

Sri Lankan troops reportedly “threw their full weight behind” a series of Buddhist ceremonies in Jaffna and Kilinochchi last month, as the military continues to assist in attempts of further Sinhalisation of the largely Tamil North-East.

A police official responsible for the investigation of the abduction and murder of 11 Tamil youths by Sri Lankan navy personnel has been handed transfer orders, Sri Lankan journalists have reported.

Nishantha Silva, officer in charge of the organised crimes division at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was given a transfer order to ordinary duties in Negombo, reportedly on the orders of the Sri Lankan president.

The International Monetary Fund’s program has been suspended due to the ongoing political crisis on the island, according to a report in The Morning on Sunday.

The British government must suspend deportations to Sri Lanka, “to ensure that we do not deliver anyone into [Mahinda] Rajapaksa’s lethal hands”, the chief executive of Freedom from Torture has said, echoing calls from British MPs earlier this week.

Residents and locals continued clearing Alampil Thuyilum Illam (LTTE cemetries) today, which remains under military control. 

The NPC councillor, T Ravikaran and TNPF's General Secretary, S Kajendran also took part in the preparations which are taking place ahead of Tamil Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal) on November 27. 

Condemning the military ongoing hold on the North-East, Ravikaran said, "many thuyilum illams across the North-East are occupied by the military". 

"They should all be released," he urged. 

Sri Lanka's Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya remained defiant despite two days of violence in the parliamentary complex, stating he "would safeguard the democracy even by sacrificing his life". 

He added that "would not be intimidated by any threats or obstacles placed in his way" and urged "people of the country who loved their motherland to maintain peace in the country".