Suspected LTTE members, who were taken into Sri Lankan government’s arbitrary arrest in 2009 and released after 'rehabilitation', continue to be harassed by Sri Lanka’s intelligence services – the CID, reports Uthayan and TamilNet.

According to reports, 'rehabilitated' members have been identified by CID operatives, interrogated and even severely beaten.

Last week, in Nadangkandal, CID operatives on motorbikes stopped two 'rehabilitated' LTTE members, before taking him to a school were he was severely beaten, reports Uthayan.

The Sydney Morning Herald examines why hundreds of Tamil asylum seekers are risking their lives and fleeing Sri Lanka.

See here for full report, extracts reproduced below:

The body of a middle-aged man was found washed up on Mathakal beach in Jaffna, reports Uthayan.

The body, believed to be that of man aged between 50-55 and wearing a blue saram, was found by local residents on Friday morning.

It was taken away by Sri Lankan police officers for further investigation.

Locals believe it is that of an Indian fisherman.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the island’s main Muslim party said it will be contesting independently at the eastern provincial councils.

The announcement comes as a U-turn, only a few days after the SLMC had declared it would be running under the UPFA banner - the ruling coalition.

Sri Lanka's Central Bank has invested reserve money into Greek bonds this year, despite a US$ 6.6 million loss made on Greek bonds last year.

According to the Central Bank, the loss is offset by higher returns from other investments.

Speaking in parliament, the senior minister for International Monetary Cooperation, Sarath Amunugama, said,

Tamil diaspora organisations from Australia, the US and Europe, have submitted a proposal to the Australian government's expert panel on asylum seekers, to work collaboratively to tackle the abuse and exploitation of Tamil asylum seekers.

The proposal, led by Tamils Against Genocide, submitted in partnership with PEARL (People for Equality and Relief in Lanka), Tamil Youth Organisation - Australia (TYO-Australia), and Voice of Tamils, Australia.

Extracts from opinion, by Bruce Haigh writing for the Canberra Times, on the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand and the dropping of a case against him: