After ten years of displacement and over a month of protest, the people of Mullikulam in Mannar set foot again in their lands for the first time on Sunday.
The Sri Lankan military celebrated the refurbishment of a military base in Vanni this month, which includes the renovation of a badminton court at the 62 Division headquarters.
A bus carrying military personnel was targeted by unidentified individuals throwing rocks, causing damage to the vehicle.
Army Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said on Friday that the bus was travelling to Vavuniya via Mullaithivu on Thursday, during the North-East-wide shutdown, when it was targeted.
Mullaithivu police has launched an investigation to catch those responsible. No arrests have been made.
The motion to deny Sri Lanka access to GSP+ on the grounds of delayed human rights reforms was quashed by a vote in Brussels – where 436 voted against the motion and 119 voted in favor.
Tamil and Muslim groups in the North-East have staged a hartal, with the majority of businesses in towns of the region closed in protest at continuing grievances.
Tamil civil society organisations have called on the European Parliament to deny Sri Lanka restoration of GSP+ until at least a list of surrendees and detainees is released by the Sri Lankan government.
Tamils working on military-run farms and preschools were forced to protest against the Northern Provincial Council by civil security department personnel.
Employees of military run agricultural and preschool ventures, including a significant number of former LTTE cadres, were threatened with suspension of wages if they refused to attend the protests.
Sri Lankan terrorism police interrogated Tamil organisers of a memorial sports tournament this week.
A knock-out football tournament organised by ‘Agni Siragugal’ or ‘Wings of Fire’ has been taking place in the run-up to Mullivaikkaal remembrance day on May 18th. Sports clubs across the North-East have been participating.
