Sri Lanka's army commander, Mahesh Senanayake made clear the army would not hesitate to use any level of force, including opening fire in response to the Easter Sunday bombings by Islamist extremists and the recent days of anti-Muslim violence. 

Condemning the anti-Muslim violence taking place over recent days in Sri Lanka, the United Nations called on the government to ensure the situation did not escalate. 

A former LTTE cadre, known as Ajanthan, who was detained for six months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the murder of two police officers in Batticaloa was formally cleared of his charges by Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court. 

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, S Sritharan told parliament that the former defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the real "master" behind the Easter Sunday bombings. 

His comments come amid widespread reports of close association between Gotabhaya and the now banned Islamist extremist organisation, National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ), which was one of the groups responsible for the attacks. 

Batticaloa's Zion church held its first Sunday service under Pastor Roshan Maheshan this weekend following the Easter Sunday bombings. 

The Mullaitivu Magistrate's Court has ruled in favour of the Neeraviyadi Pillaiyar temple, confirming its longstanding existence in old Semmalai. 

A Sri Lankan army officer was arrested in Mullaitivu for being in possession of illegal drugs. 

The officer, who has not been named, is understood to be from the Sri Lankan army's Special Forces Regiment and was on duty in Kompavil, Kokkuthoduvai when he was arrested. 

When police officers visited the army camp on April 30, they found him to be in possession of 35mg of drugs. 

The use of illegal drugs including cannabis and heroin has increased significantly in the North-East since the end of the armed conflict. 

Sri Lankan security forces have reported finding high-tech underwater scooters, known as 'seabobs' during a raid on a house in Amparai. 

Tamils across Canada gathered at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Saturday to remember the genocide which took place in 2009 by Sri Lankan state forces. 

<p>A Muslim man was slashed to death during anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka, reports <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/muslim-man-killed-in-sri-lank…">&nbsp;Agence France Presse.</a></p> <p>The 45 year old man died after being admitted to hospital in Puttalam, a police official told press.</p> <p>This marks the first death in a wave of violent backlash against the Muslim community, that saw a social media ban and island wide curfew imposed.</p>