Tamils in the UK protested against state repression and the detention of Thirumurugan Gandhi, leader of the Tamil Nadu based May 17 movement.

The Sri Lankan government should immediately repudiate statements by the country’s justice minister threatening to disbar a prominent lawyer for speaking out against attacks on religious minorities, said Human Rights Watch.

In a statement released on Monday, Human Rights Watch director Brad Adams said,

The UK’s Department for International Trade has updated its Overseas Business Risk Guidance on Sri Lanka, stating that “doing business in Sri Lanka is not without risks, but lots of companies successfully export to and invest and operate in Sri Lanka.”

Under business and human rights advice, the guidance states that there “is concern for minority rights including those of ethnic groups, LGBT and disabled groups.”

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R Sampanthan confirmed that the no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister of the Northern Province would be withdrawn.

In a letter to Chief Minister CV WIgneswaran, Mr Sampanthan said,

“I have just informed the Hon Governor Northern Province by telephone that the Motion of No _ Confidence will be withdrawn. I am communicating with relevan persons.”

Sri Lanka’s cabinet has decided to summon Sri Lankan airlines managerial officials to discuss circumstances leading to a Rs 22bln loss to the company.

During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Sri Lankan ministers accused the airline of not carrying out government instruction that would have strengthened the company’s position.

The government attempted to save the airline provider by entering into a Private Public Partnership agreement to bolster the airline.

Kilinochchi locals protested at the town's market this morning, against attempts to oust C. V. Wigneswaran from his position as the Northern Province's Chief Minister.

Businesses across the Jaffna district remained shut today, observing a Hartal in protest of the attempts to overthrow Northern Province Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneswaran, from his position.

Thousands in Jaffna rallied in support of Chief Minister Wigneswaran today, while businesses across the district remained shut in observance of hartal called by the Tamil People’s Council.

With shop and office fronts shut for the day, thousands gathered in front of Nallur temple on Friday morning, before proceeding down Temple Road to the Chief Minister’s residence.

Protestors carried placards and shouted slogans in support of C. V. Wigneswaran and condemning the actions of the TNA and ITAK in the party’s attempts to oust the Chief Minister of the Northern Province from his position.

Chief Minister Wigneswaran came out of his home to thunderous applause in order to greet and speak to the crowds and thank them for their support.

21 Northern Provincial Council members wrote to the province’s governor Reginald Cooray on Wednesday night, declaring no-confidence in Justice Wigneswaran’s leadership.

The Women’s Action Network has expressed concern that instead of working to obtain justice for three young children that were sexually assaulted in Trincomalee, politicians are taking advantage of the incident to fulfil their own agendas.

Although three construction workers were initially accused of the assault of three young girls in Mallikaitheevu, Trincomalee, and beaten by locals, the victims did not identify these men as the perpetrators.

A second arrest warrant against the Bodu Bala Sen (BBS) General Secretary Gnanasara Thero has been issued for failing to appear before court, reports adaderana.lk.

Gnanasara Thero failed to appear before court in response to a case linking him and 7 others to 8 charges related to criminal force and minor assault.

Families of the disappeared today called on the media, local and international community to place pressure on President Sirisena to fulfil pledges he made to them earlier this week about releasing lists of surrendees, detainees, secret detention centres and political prisoners.

21 of the 38 members of the Northern Provincial Council have written to the Northern Province’s governor, requesting him to remove C. V. Wigneswaran from the position of Chief Minister, claiming that he no longer enjoys the confidence and support of the Council.

The Council awaits a decision by the governor, Reginald Cooray.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of judges and lawyers  Diego Garcia-Sayan, expressed concern that over the lack of equal representation of minority groups in prosecution services and the police force at the 35^th session of the United Nations Human Rights council.

Quoting his predecessor, Monico Pinto’s, report on Sri Lanka, he said,

President Maithripala Sirisena promised families of the disappeared he would issue directives to the National Security Council the following day to release lists of surrendees, detainees, and political prisoners that families were demanding.