The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) referred to MP Ian Paisley Jr's dealings with Sri Lanka while speaking on the party's failings over the past year at conference.

While apologising for a domestic scandal over a green energy scheme, DUP leader Arlene Foster also referred to failings within the DUP ranks in a "number of other areas".

"It is thought Mrs Foster was referring to the behaviour of DUP MP Ian Paisley," the Belfast Telegraph said.

Works have commenced in Mullaitivu for the construction of a memorial site for 8 Tamils killed by the Sri Lankan army.

On November 27, 2007, 8 Tamils of which 6 were children, were killed by a claymore mine planted by the Sri Lankan army’s Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LLRP) or Deep Penetration Unit in Iyankan Kulam.

The Sri Lankan government said no permission has been granted for Maaveerar Naal commemorations due to take place on November 27. 

Sri Lanka’s Director General of Government Information said the government “refute(s) the fake rumour that government had given permission to hold so called Maaveerar commemoration”.

There was “emphasis the fact such permission was not been granted on any occasion (sic)," the press release added. 

Tamils across London prepared to mark Maaveerar Naal on November 27th, with a series of events across the capital this week.

Shops in districts across London displayed Tamil Eelam flags outside their stores as they prepared to join Tamils around in world in remembrance this week

Bicycles and food items were donated in Batticaloa today to mark the birthday of the LTTE leader V Prabhakaran. 

Donations were made to families of Maaveerar and to families of the disappeared. 

An audit of a water project in Colombo, funded by the Asian Development Bank has revealed irregularities, non-compliance with rules and regulations and delays, Economy Next reports. 

Over three years after the projected started only US $16.5 million of the 80 million allocated has been used, the report compiled by the Auditor-General's department. 

“Completion of activities of the project within the specified period remained in doubt due to the lack of a comprehensive plan for implementation purposes,” the report noted. 

<p>Sri Lanka's Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning for allegedly helping the main suspect in the abduction and killing of Tamil youths between 2008 to 2009 evade arrest.&nbsp;</p> <p>The summons issued orders Admiral Wijegunaratne to appear before the CID on November 27.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena insisted he has acted within the country's constitution in a phonecall to the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland.&nbsp;</p> <p>"A telephone conversation with Baroness Patricia Scotland, he explained that he has very clearly asked the Speaker of parliament to follow the Parliamentary Standing Orders and conventions and take any vote on a No Confidence Motion using the electronic voting system or by name," the president's media division said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Russian airline will soon be operating daily flights between Colombo and Moscow, expanding from the current five days a week schedule.</p> <p>Russian authorities informed the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow of the plans, Colombo Page reports.</p> <p>The planned expansion would enhance Sri Lanka-Russia cooperation and bring the two countries even closer, the report said.</p>

Tree planting in memory of fallen LTTE fighters continued in the North with saplings being planted in Vavuniya.

Under the organisation of the Vavuniya North divisional council (prathesa sabai), local authority officials, civil society members and school students planted trees in Kanakarayankulam.