Sri Lanka’s army commander reiterated his support for troops accused of committing mass atrocities during the final stage of the armed conflict, stating that they were “ear heroes” who carried out a “humanitarian operation”.

As Sri Lanka continues to go back on its promises to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes, alternative avenues for justice must be found, writes People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) Advocacy Director, Mario Arulthas.

“Nearly 10 years after the end of the conflict, reconciliation and a sustainable peace are far off – contrary to what President Sirisena claimed in his speech at the UNGA,” wrote Arulthas in The Diplomat this week.

Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force has ramped up security in Jaffna, after a gang vandalised a grocery shop in Kondavil on Tuesday night, the latest in a spree of attacks on homes and shops by armed gangs.

The Sri Lankan police and the notorious Special Task Force launched a series of raids in Jaffna earlier this week, in a reported attempt to crack down on gang-related crime in the district.

A ceremony was held in Vellaveli, Batticaloa on Wednesday, to mark 31 years since the death of 2^nd Lt Maalathy, the first female martyr of the LTTE.

The Tamil National Alliance held a commemoration event at their Kilinochchi office on Wednesday, marking 31 years since the death of 2^nd Lt Maalathy, the first female LTTE cadre to be killed.

Jaffna University students continued their 194km protest walk to Anuradhupura prison for the third day today, garnering support from locals, including schools and businesses, on the route.

The total number of skeletons unearthed at a mass grave in Mannar has now reached 175, with excavation commencing over three months ago.

The protracted battle between Tamils in Nedunkeni and the Sri Lankan archaeology department continues as Vavuniya police have enforced a ban on any development being undertaken at an ancient temple in the area, despite urgent works being necessary to ensure continued access to the temple which sits in the rocky hollow of a mountain.

Two Tamil youths were arrested in two separate police searches in Vavuniya on Tuesday.

Both from Pottuvil, Amparai, one of the young men was arrested at Omanthai as police searched a Jaffna-Trincomalee bus at around 2am.

The other was arrested during the search of a Jaffna-Pottuvil bus at Vavuniya bus station.

Vavuniya police claim a combined total of 8kg of cannabis (Kerala ganja) was seized from the youths.

The Office of Reparations Bill was passed in Sri Lanka’s parliament on Wednesday.

The government’s official line is that the Bill provides for the provision of individual and collective reparations for aggrieved persons who have suffered violations of human rights or humanitarian law.

The Kanagapuram Velakanni church was vanadalised by a group of unknown persons earlier last week, as attacks on places of worship in the North-East continue.

A group of unknown people reportedly vandalised the church property on Saturday and stole a statue from the premises.

The church administration complained that this has happened several times in recent years, and though they have complained to the Sri Lankan police, no action has been taken.

A house in Chavakachcheri was targeted by armed burglars in the early hours of Monday morning.

A court in Valvettithurai, Jaffna has dismissed a Sri Lankan police petition against the rebuilding of a monument that was originally constructed in memort of fallen LTTE cadres in the town.

The monument, built in Theeruvil grounds in remembrance of 12 LTTE members including Lt Col Kumarappa and Lt Col Pulenthiran, was destroyed by the Sri Lankan military.