Indian President Ram Nath Kovind praised his government’s expanded relations with Sri Lanka, in a message to mark Sri Lanka’s Independence Day this month.

“India and Sri Lanka are neighbors, who share common heritage, interests and values,” said the message. “Our bilateral relations are based on age old civilizational links and have been built upon a legacy of close intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction.”

The Sri Lankan army warned that “certain elements with malicious and vested interests and hidden agendas” were engaging in “organized vilification” of the military in a press release last week.

The military claimed that a campaign was being carried out against the army “with the motive of demoralizing, and misleading its soldiers and tarnishing its image”.

Sri Lanka was ranked among the worst 10 states in the 2017 Human Freedom Index just released, which looks to measure personal freedoms. 

The country was ranked 150, after Zimbabwe at 149 and Pakistan at 148, and ahead of Cameroon, Congo and Saudi Arabia. India ranked 103. 

Read here for full report. 
 

Sri Lanka's former acting OIC of Mount Lavinia Police was arrested this week by the CID over the assassination of the Sunday Leader editor, Lasantha Wickramatunga. 

Mount Lavinia chief magistrate remanded Tissa Sugathapala until February 16. He was accused concealing and destroying evidence. 

Mr Wickramatunga was assassinated on January 8, 2009. 

The Tamil National Alliance said it would not be participating in Sri Lanka's Independence Day celebrations as it was too busy with its election campaigning. 

The TNA spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran said they had informed the committee responsible for organising the celebrations of their decision. 

The announcement comes as the party seeks to woo voters in the North-East, whilst maintaining its close links to the unity government. 

The transfer of three Tamil political prisoners from Vavuniya to Anuradhapura has been halted by the Court of Appeal. 

The three detainees, Sulakshan, Mathiarasan and Dharshan had protested against the planned transfer by hunger striking for 40 days.

The Attorney General department had previously ordered the transfer of the cases to Anuradhapura in the island's south. 

The Tamil National Alliance has this week threaten legal action against the Vanni MP, Sivasakthy Ananthan. 

Lawyers acting on behalf of the ITAK leader, Mavai Senathirajah sent a letter to Mr Ananthan warning him that legal proceedings would be initiated over defamatory comments he allegedly made against Mr Senathirajah. 

"We are instructed that you have made and that you continue to make false and defamatory statements with regard to our client. These statements have been made several times from on and or about 19th December 2017," the letter, forwarded to the press by the TNA Media Office, read. 

The former Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa held a campaign event in Jaffna on Thursday with extra security, including Special Task Force officers. 

The event, held at Veerasingham Hall, was held ahead of the local government elections due this month. 

Former officers from the President Security Division were also present. 

Supporters of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) were harassed by Sri Lankan police officers as they took part in a campaign event in Allaarai on Wednesday evening. 

Armed officers arrived at the event saying they had received information a "riot" is taking place. 

Officers asked organisers and supporters for their phone numbers and National ID card numbers. 

A 21 year old Tamil detainee was attacked by guards in Jaffna prison last month. 

Ravikumar Yathushan, from Kodikaamam, was subsequently admitted to Jaffna teaching hospital where he received treatment for the past 5 days. 

Mr Yathusan's father has filed a complaint with the Jaffna Human Rights Commission regarding the incident.