Families of the forcibly disappeared that have been protesting in Kilinochchi renounced Tamil new year celebrations and instead observed a ‘black day’ today to highlight that they are yet to receive answers about their missing loved ones.

Keppapulavu protestors declared this year’s chithirai puthandu a black day, and rallied wearing black clothes and carrying black flags. Protestors across the North-East observed a similar black day.

Devotees in Jaffna see in the Tamil New Year with festivities at the Nallur Kandasamy Kovil.

The United Nations and the United States have stressed the need for accountability for sexual violence committed by Sri Lankan peacekeepers, as Sri Lanka prepares to send a fresh batch of blue helmets to Mali.

The call comes after an investigation by the Associated Press revealed details of sexual abuse against Haitian children, committed by at least 134 Sri Lankan peacekeepers.

The newly appointed Jaffna army commander has said he will treat land return as a priority, the Chief Minister of the North said.

The Chief Minister of the North has said he hopes for progress with regards to the grievances of Tamil people in the new year.

In his Tamil new year wishes, the chief minister, C. V. Wigneswaran said that “although many years have come and gone, the status of the Tamil people always remains under question.”

At least 134 Sri Lankan peacekeeping forces exploited children in a sex ring in Haiti, an Associated Press report has revealed.

An internal UN report obtained by the AP said that at least 134 Sri Lankan soldiers in Haiti exploited nine children in a sex ring from 2004 to 2007.

Although 114 peacekeepers were sent home in the wake of the report, allegedly breaking up the sex ring, exploitation continued including by peacekeepers of other nationalities.

The returned Sri Lankan peacekeepers were never held to account, and some still remain in the military.

Other missions implicated in the report are Bangladesh, Brazil, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Uruguay.

Members of the European Parliament have told Sri Lanka it must deliver on its human rights commitments, and that the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be replaced before a decision on granting the trade concession, GSP plus, can be made.

A Mallakam magistrate judge has ordered an investigation into the illegal detention of a Tamil man by Sri Lankan intelligence personnel.

Last week, four people claiming to be from Vaddukoddai police station went to Thiraviyanathan Naguleswaran’s home and took him away for questioning.

Mr Naguleswaran is currently involved in an alimony case at Mallakam magistrates court.

However when Mr Naguleswaran’s wife went to Vaddukoddai police station, she was told that they had not arrested anybody.