The Liberal Party of Canada called for the protection of the Tamil nation as part of a long term political solution in Sri Lanka and pledged to implement a travel ban on those in the Sri Lankan armed forces who may have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Announcing three pillars of Canada’s engagement with Sri Lanka, the Liberal Party stated on accountability it would “exercise universal jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute those perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide who may be in Canada” and that it would “implement a travel ban against those who might have been a part of the chain of command within the Sri Lankan armed forces”.

The party also said it would “continue to seek a criminal, international, independent, investigation into serious international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide for the period 1948 to date”.

On a long term political solution on the island, the party said that addressing “the legitimate grievances of Tamils and other minorities is required” and stated:

“We believe that the Tamil nation and other minorities must be protected”.

Protestors in Vavuniya held a hunger strike on Friday, demanding the Sri Lankan government release Tamil political prisoners held in jails across the island.

The protest joins others that took place across the North-East, supporting the over 200 Tamil detainees who have entered a fifth day of hunger strikes.

Skeletal remains of two women have been discovered in a former Sri Lankan military High Security Zone in Jaffna.

The remains were discovered in Mulli, a village in Ariyalai, Jaffna, alongside a pair of sandals, womens’ clothing and stationery including pens and pencils – suggesting that at least one of the bodies belongs to a student.

A protest was held in Jaffna today calling for the immediate release of Tamil political prisoners.

Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe declared “there are no political prisoners in the country’s prisons,” as protests continue across the island.

Mr Rajapakshe, the government’s justice minister and minister of the Buddha Sasana, told reporters:

“The prisoners are ones who are held for aiding and abetting the activities of LTTE terrorists. They are not political prisoners.”

The Northern Provincial Council Minister for Rural Development P Deniswaran said that data collection had started in the Jaffna district to assess the needs of former LTTE cadres.

The data collection forms the first stage of a livelihood assistance programme for former Tamil militants, learns Tamil Guardian.

The NPC minister further data collection is expected to happen in Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu throughout this month said the NPC minister.

The news comes amidst several reports of on-going land appropriation and construction of Buddhist Stupas in the North-East.