The European Union (EU) has decided not to lift their ban on travel from Sri Lanka due to the coronavirus pandemic, despite the Sri Lankan embassy in Brussels “actively lobbying for Sri Lanka’s inclusion in the list”.

The EU has begun to gradually lift the temporary restrictions it had imposed on non-essential travel into the region, with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating it had been “actively lobbying for Sri Lanka’s inclusion in the list”.

Buddhist monk, Ralapanawe Dhammajothi, applauded Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for maintain “discipline and respect” for the Buddhist Sanga whilst further claiming that “no one could impede the President’s endeavour to redirect the country”.

The families of the disappeared in Vavuniya came together to protest and call for the Sri Lankan government to be brought to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.

They gathered near the Vavuniya Old Bus Stand, yesterday morning as an increasing number of family members have died recently without seeing justice for their loved ones.

<p>UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said she was dismayed by reports of the stigmatisation of Muslims in Sri Lanka, in a statement at the 44th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).&nbsp;</p> <p>"In Sri Lanka and India, members of the Muslim minority are being targeted by stigma and hate speech associating them with COVID-19," the UN Chief said in her global update on human rights and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre recorded a rise in the repression of dissent in Sri Lanka during the month of May in their latest report.

The report highlights that Tamils were disproportionately targeted, particularly around Mullivaikkal remembrance events, where the Tamil community were intimidated and harassed by Sri Lankan police and military personnel.

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court began hearing a Fundamental Rights Petition filed by Jaffna University senior lecturer Dr Kumaravadivel Guruparan, challenging the decision of the University Grants Commission and University of Jaffna to bar him from legal practice.

Last year, the senior law lecturer and prominent civil society representative was barred from engaging in private practice following pressure from the Sri Lankan military, after he took up a public interest habeas corpus case into the 1996 disappearance of more than two dozen Tamil youth.

Canada, Germany and the UK reiterated their "profound disappointment" over Sri Lanka's withdrawl of co-sponsorship from United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolutions promoting accountability, reconciliation and human rights. 

Sri Lankan security forces arrested at least 30 Tamil youths earlier this month, claiming that they were members of the ‘Aava gang’ responsible for various acts of violence in the region.

The youth were reportedly gathered in Kilinochchi to celebrate the birthday of gang leader ‘Sanna’ who is currently residing in France. Following the celebrations, Sri Lankan police arrested at least 30 people after they received information about the gathering.

At least two of the youth arrested are reported to be under 16 years old.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena this week, where the two reportedly discussed “shared democratic traditions, respect for human rights, and the importance of transparency for the long-term stability and prosperity of our people”.

Sri Lankan army commander and accused war criminal Shavendra Silva inspected a consignment of locally produced armoured personnel carriers set to be used for a UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, despite Colombo’s record of human rights abuses.

Silva, who is currently barred from entering the US due to his role in overseeing war crimes, proceeded over a ceremonious handover of the vehicles to Rahileen Booram, line manager for the Ben Line Shipping Agencies company for ongoing shipment to Mali.