A Sri Lankan court announced its decision to impose a ban on all journalists taking photographs at the mass grave site in Mannar.

The court reportedly said that the ban on journalists is to prevent disruption of the excavation work.

The mass grave is currently being excavated with more than 80 bodies having been discovered there already, including that of young children. An archaeologist at the site said some of the skeletons found had “deep and unusual” lacerations on their bones.

Appeals filed by seven convicts in the rape and murder case of Punguduthivu student, Vithya Sivalogananthan, will be taken up for consideration by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on December 13.

Two defendants were released by a tribunal for the case and the remaining seven handed death sentences.

The tribunal consisted of three High Court judges from Jaffna, Trincomalee and Vavuniya.

The seven convicts on death row have appealed to the Supreme Court to repeal the sentences, claiming the decision to be illegal, and to acquit them of all allegations, Ada Derana reports.

A Panel of Experts appointed by Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Assembly has handed over a draft constitutional proposal to the Assembly’s Steering Committee, Colombo Page reports.

The draft proposal will be studied by leaders of political parties represented in parliament and discussed with the Sri Lankan prime minister, who serves as the chair of the Steering Committee.

Two Indian state-owned companies signed agreements to develop railways facilities in Sri Lanka, including restoring four lines in the Northern Province, an Indian government press release said on Thursday.

One state company, or ‘Public Sector Undertaking’, IRCON International Limited signed agreements with the Sri Lankan government for:

(i) Rehabilitation of Colombo-Matara Coastal Railway line on 06.03.2009;

(ii) Restoration of Medawachchiya–Madhu Road Railway line in Northern province of Sri Lanka on 17.08.2010;

Jaffna's Municipal Council has restored the barrier which used to surround the memorial built for the Lt Col. Thileepan in Nallur, Jaffna. 

The Sri Lankan army previously destroyed the barrier, which was built to protect the monument from damage. 

Following this locals reported that the site was poorly maintained and frequently used with little care by traders at Nallur temple festivals.

TNPF member within the Council, V Parthipan was instrumental in advocating for the barrier to be replaced before this year's Nallur festival on August 16. 

A motorbike was set alight by unknown persons in Vatharavaththai, Valikaamam East. 

The motorbike's owner said her family had experienced ongoing harassment by unknown individuals following their support for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the last local election. 

A complaint has been filed with the police. 

A protests by fishermen in Mullaitivu against illegal fishing by Sinhala fishermen continued today into their 8th day. 

The fishermen have been supported by the families as well as Karaithuraipattu local council members who attended the protest to express their solidarity. 

Three students who were among 11 Tamil youths arrested by Sri Lankan police for allegedly being involved in sword attacks and gang violence, where allowed to sit their A Levels by Mallaakam Magistrate Court yesterday. 

The youths, who were arrested on August 4, will be allowed to sit the exam under the supervision of the prison officers.  

The issue of their A Levels was brought to the attention of the court by lawyers for the students, who maintained their clients were innocent and should be allowed to sit their exams. 

The Sri Lankan military continued its militarisation of the North-East, announcing that it had built a Tamil pre-school in Mullivaikkal earlier this year.

A petition has been launched to unseat DUP MP Ian Paisley after he was suspended from the British parliament for failing to declare two holidays that were paid for by the Sri Lankan government and later lobbying on the country's behalf against an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The parliamentary recall petition, the first one launched since such legislation was introduced, sees Mr Paisley at risk of a possible by-election in his constituency seat of North Antrim in Northern Ireland.