The Sri Lankan government under President Maithripala Sirisena continues to torture Tamils who have gone to Sri Lanka from the UK said Freedom From Torture, reiterating remarks made by UN Special Rapporteur Juan Mendez on Saturday.

Ann Hannah, International Advocate and Researcher at Freedom from Torture, said that the organisation supports demands for “an internationalised justice process for torture and other serious human rights abuses which took place during and after the civil war”.

Freedom From Torture went on to state that “while torture is still being practised any efforts towards long-term stability are undermined”.  “The number of referrals Freedom from Torture has received for people tortured since the January 2015 presidential election is deeply worrying,” said the organisation.

“Our clinical evidence shows that torture continues in Sri Lanka under President Sirisena,” said Ms Hannah. “Ahead of scrutiny by the Human Rights Council in June, we hope that the Government will announce a credible and effective torture prevention programme as part of efforts to fully implement its international commitments and build a sustainable peace.”

At least 28 Sri Lanka navy personnel have been injured following a bus accident in the Tamil North-East, reports News First.

The rise of drug smuggling in the Tamil North-East is degrading education, culture and development in a manner that seems “well planned” and aims to eradicate Tamil society, said Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran.

Speaking at a teachers’ conference at Vembady Women’s College in Jaffna, Justice Wigneswaran told the audience that despite the presence of 15,000 Sri Lankan army soldiers in Jaffna, illegal drug smuggling has continued to increase.

“At whose behest is this happening?” he questioned, noting that there were even greater numbers of air force, navy and police personnel.

“We understand that the sale of these narcotics is mainly focussed on school children, with an aim to destabilise the education of our students,” he continued.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his visit to Jaffna at an election rally in Tamil Nadu this week, as he showcased his efforts to help Tamils in the North-East.

Addressing rallies in Chennai and Hosur, Mr Modi spoke on the issue of Tamils in the North-East, stating "I was the first PM to visit Jaffna and wipe their tears”.

He also spoke of an Indian housing scheme for displaced Tamils, saying “In the last 20 years, for the homes that were lost - 50,000 houses are to be given; 30,000 houses are already given”.

Mr Modi visited the North-East last year, stating he was there to help "wipe the tears from the eyes of those who suffered".

Sri Lanka’s president declared open War Heroes Commemoration Month, on Friday, at is offices in a  flag raising ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony with the Ministry of Defence, Mr Sirisena said,

The UNP's State Minister of Child Affairs Vijayakala Maheswaran has pledged to build a memorial hall in Mullivaikkal, despite government opposition to public Tamil remembrance of the war dead.

“In remembrance of the 100,00 people who were massacred in the war, a memorial hall will be constructed at Mullivaikal with the support of Northern Provincial Council. I will accomplish this within the next five years.” the Tamil MP for Jaffna said.

“Nobody can oppose the construction of the memorial hall in remembrance of our deceased relatives. I do not care, even if I am dismissed.” she added.

A protest held in Amparai earlier today, highlighting ongoing arrests and abductions by the government, was interrupted by a mob led by a Buddhist monk, Ceylonews reports.

Protestors urged the government to stop terrorising the North-East with the detentions, urged the release of those arrested and to stop abducting those it wants to detain.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment has visited an infamous torture site used by the Sri Lankan military, reports The Island.