The Presidential election is a battle between the camps representing the friends and enemies of the nation, the JVP says.

Both sides urged to “engage constructively” with Norway on stabilising ceasefire - “the essential anchor of the peace process”

Amid concern independence struggles would be targeted, the US also wanted to ensure the definition didn’t encompass military activities.

Residents have complained that Mannar has turned into a ‘garrison town’ with increases in arbitrary detentions, road blocks, cordon and search operations and the blockade of essential items.

Tamils from all walks of life including academics, politicians and religious dignitaries join rallies calling for international support for self-determination

LTTE says it is ready for immediate talks on the implementation of the truce provided they are held in an international venue, rather than in the insecure south of Sri Lanka.

Managing the economy in the near-term will be a challenge and policy slippage experienced in 2004 must be avoided, the organisation says.

'If the LTTE wages a conventional war with our armed forces, it would not have the strength to last even for half an hour''