<p>Sri Lanka's senior Buddhist clergy, known as the Maha Sangha, have urged the government to make sure it seeks their blessings and approval prior to make any constitutional changes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite the UNP led government's repeated assurances to the Buddhist clergy that Buddhism would continue to hold the foremost position in the constitution, clergy members cast doubt over the government's intentions in making any alterations. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The international community must “press the government” in Colombo to ensure action is taken on justice for abuses, said Human Rights Watch (HRW), stating that stalling reforms had been further threatened by political instability on the island.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami announced his decision at a Tamil Nadu legislative assembly earlier this month to carve the Kallakurichi district out of the Villupuram district, effectively creating the 33rd district of the state.</p>

The Sri Lankan president signed a series of deals including on military exchange with the Philippines on Wednesday.

The deals were signed during bilateral talks in Manila with the president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte.

<p>Officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are to visit Sri Lanka next month in view of talks to resume its program.&nbsp;</p>

Families of the disappeared in Vavuniya held a rally on Tuesday urging the United States and European Union to push the Sri Lankan government to provide answers over the whereabouts of their loved ones. 

Holding the US and EU flag, protesters urged action, highlighting that their demonstrations have been ongoing for 694 days. 

The Tamil festival of Thai Pongal was marked in parliament in Denmark on Monday with the minister of culture joining Danish Tamils to celebrate. 

Celebrations included dances and the making of traditional pongal (sweet rice). 

<p><img alt="Image removed." src="/core/misc/icons/e32700/error.svg" title="This image has been removed. For security reasons, only images from the local domain are allowed." height="16" width="16" class="filter-image-invalid"></p> <p>The chief investigator at the Mannar mass grave confirmed that the number of bodies excavated has now reached 300, as the toll from the island’s largest mass grave site continues to grow.</p>

A Sri Lankan brigadier who was caught on video threatening Tamil protestors in London faces court proceedings, after a private prosecution was brought against him.

Brigadier Priyanka Fernando was filmed motioning a death threat to Tamils in London last month, running his finger across his neck whilst dressed in full military uniform. He was attending a celebration at the Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK to mark ‘Independence Day’ at the time, whilst British Tamils held a demonstration outside with placards and Tamil Eelam flags. Fernando is accused of violating the Public Order Act by using “threatening or abusive” behaviour.

Today marks 26 years since the death of Sathasivam Krishnakumar alias Colonel Kittu, and nine other LTTE cadres, who committed suicide after being surrounded by Indian navy warships in 1993.

<p>The Bank of China has offered Sri Lanka a loan of US $300 million, which could be increased up to a total of US $1 billion, as Sri Lanka struggles to regain international confidence following last year's political crisis, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p> <p>The news wire cited a source as saying Colombo was considering the offer due to "difficulty in borrowing money after recent rating downgrades".&nbsp;</p>

The Tamil festival of Thai Pongal was celebrated around the world and across the Tamil homeland on Tuesday.

The secular festival gives thanks to the sun and for the harvest, and dates back in its current form to at least as far back as the Medieval Chola empire.

<p>Canada’s prime minister Justice Trudeau recognised the “many contributions Tamil Canadians have made to the success and prosperity of our country,” as he marked Thai Pongal this week.</p> <p>“This week, the Tamil community in Canada and around the world will celebrate Thai Pongal, the four-day harvest festival,”said a statement from the prime minister’s office.</p>

The newly appointed head of the Sri Lankan navy took up his post in recent weeks by paying visits to sacred Buddhist sites and giving offerings to monks, as well as meeting controversial military leaders, including an admiral wanted over involvement in the murder of 11 Tamil youths.