The body of an elderly Tamil woman was found murdered in her home in Koppai this morning, reported Uthayan.

The body, found beaten with open wounds and lacerations, is that of 70-year-old Kumarasami Mangayakarasi. Her jewellery, including earrings and bangles, were missing.

Mrs Mangayakarasi lived alone in her home near Naasimar temple, Koppai Old Street. She is reported to have four children, who currently reside abroad.

The Sri Lankan Army has stepped up its random search operations in Mullaitivu reported Uthayan on Tuesday.

Residents have complained that the searches have become even more regular than previously, with numerous bicycles, motorcycles and cars being searched.

Amidst this heavy army presence, three Tamil men were found murdered in Visuvamadu, Mullaitivu district this week.

The family of a mentally ill Tamil asylum seeker being held at Villa Wood Detention centre in Australia, New South Wales, are calling for an urgent review of his case, reported ABC news.

The asylum seeker, Pradeep, fled to Australia by boat, having been aassaulted by the Sri Lankan army.

Professionals believe his mental health concerns, including severe psychosis, were as a result of the assault.

Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the US and Mexico, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, is mapping out plans to draw in 100,000 American tourist to the island by 2016 in part of an attempt to increase tourist traffic flow to Maldives and India.

He said, “We are working on an aggressive campaign to attract 100,000 American tourists to the island by 2016.”

"I told the Olympic Committee to allow Niluka's father to travel to London. I also advised the shooting association to send Mangala Samarakoon's coach but I was told by the OC that it was too late as they have already sent the list."

A woman allegedly raped by three Sri Lankan Army soldiers on Sunday, "willingly participated" said a spokesperson for Haputale police, SP Ajith Rohana.

The three soldiers were arrested on Monday, after being apprehended by railway security officers whilst on a train to Badulla.

According to the Sinhala news site, Adaderana, Rohana said, 'initial investigations had later revealed that the alleged rape victim had willingly participated'.

Three Tamil men were found murdered on the same night in Visuvamadu, Mullaitivu district, reported Uthayan on Monday.

The body of Vijayakumar, a 33-year-old Tamil man from Visuvamadu itself was found hung from a tree. The body of Sivarasa, a 45-year-old Tamil man and father of five from Pokkanai, was found with its neck severed by an axe, after having been set alight. The body of Arunachalam Ramanathan, a 73-year-old Tamil man, was also found murdered and burnt.

37 Chinese fishermen, arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on Monday, have been handed over to Chinese embassy officials in Trincomalee.

The men were arrested after they were caught fishing without permission of the coast of Batticaloa, prompting the Chinese embassy to urge for the immediate release.

Two Sri Lankans on the trawlers were also arrested and released on bail.