"The Sri Lankan authorities have handled the case in a painfully slow manner... They are trying to brush it under the carpet in the hope that people will forget about what happened and that we will stop fighting for justice."

"We will never stop fighting for justice."

"The loss this family has suffered is unbearable and I've seen for myself the pain in the parents' eyes as they struggle to come to terms with what happened to their son".

"I do not want another Christmas to pass with Khuram's killers still walking free."

The Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has urged expatriate Sri Lankans ‘from all communities’ to return to the island and support its growth.

Gotabhaya said the government was keen on creating an environment conducive for professionals to live and work in Sri Lanka, reported Colombo Gazette.

"Our oil storage tanks located in Trincomalee were privatized. We are currently having talks to take them back (under state control)".

The Sri Lankan Navy has been engaging in further landgrabs in Pattikuda in the eastern Pulmoddai region, reports Tamilwin.

A sign was erected on the land, belonging to local residents, declaring it to belong to the navy. Residents were forced out, with their huts, fences and crops destroyed.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has slammed the Indian government over reports that the Indian Coast Guard is participating in military exercises with the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday, Jayalalithaa said,

“I am totally dismayed to note from media reports that the Indian Coast Guard is participating in a marine defence exercise and has deputed ships, officers and men to Trincomalee, to participate in this exercise which is reported to be commencing there on 21st December, 2013.”

“This is in complete and callous disregard of the strong views and emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu clearly and unambiguously conveyed in my earlier letters to the Prime Minister, through Assembly resolutions and through protests, agitations and demonstrations by the people of Tamil Nadu.”

“The Government of India has still chosen to ride rough shod over the groundswell of emotions in Tamil Nadu and has persisted with its policy stance towards Sri Lanka.”