Sri Lanka’s army commander reiterated his support for troops accused of committing mass atrocities during the final stage of the armed conflict, stating that they were “ear heroes” who carried out a “humanitarian operation”.

Speaking on the 69^th anniversary of the Sri Lankan army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake told soldiers that “I distinctly believe that, you will pursue to maintain the national and international reputation earned by the Sri Lankan army over the last six decades”.

“This peaceful environment was brought by brave war heroes who actively participated in the humanitarian operations,” he continued.

As Sri Lanka continues to go back on its promises to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes, alternative avenues for justice must be found, writes People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) Advocacy Director, Mario Arulthas.

“Nearly 10 years after the end of the conflict, reconciliation and a sustainable peace are far off – contrary to what President Sirisena claimed in his speech at the UNGA,” wrote Arulthas in The Diplomat this week.

“Sri Lanka has repeatedly gone back on its promises to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes,” he said, adding “the international community cannot rely on Sri Lanka to bring reconciliation, stability and peace to the island”.

Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force has ramped up security in Jaffna, after a gang vandalised a grocery shop in Kondavil on Tuesday night, the latest in a spree of attacks on homes and shops by armed gangs.

The Sri Lankan police and the notorious Special Task Force launched a series of raids in Jaffna earlier this week, in a reported attempt to crack down on gang-related crime in the district.

A ceremony was held in Vellaveli, Batticaloa on Wednesday, to mark 31 years since the death of 2^nd Lt Maalathy, the first female martyr of the LTTE.

The Tamil National Alliance held a commemoration event at their Kilinochchi office on Wednesday, marking 31 years since the death of 2^nd Lt Maalathy, the first female LTTE cadre to be killed.

Jaffna University students continued their 194km protest walk to Anuradhupura prison for the third day today, garnering support from locals, including schools and businesses, on the route.

The total number of skeletons unearthed at a mass grave in Mannar has now reached 175, with excavation commencing over three months ago.

The protracted battle between Tamils in Nedunkeni and the Sri Lankan archaeology department continues as Vavuniya police have enforced a ban on any development being undertaken at an ancient temple in the area, despite urgent works being necessary to ensure continued access to the temple which sits in the rocky hollow of a mountain.

Two Tamil youths were arrested in two separate police searches in Vavuniya on Tuesday.

Both from Pottuvil, Amparai, one of the young men was arrested at Omanthai as police searched a Jaffna-Trincomalee bus at around 2am.

The other was arrested during the search of a Jaffna-Pottuvil bus at Vavuniya bus station.

Vavuniya police claim a combined total of 8kg of cannabis (Kerala ganja) was seized from the youths.