The UK leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn in his Thai Pongal address this week, highlighted the ongoing persecution faced by Tamils and called on the UK government to take a lead in ensuring Sri Lanka works towards justice for Tamils. 

"The Tamil people have made huge sacrifices in their struggle for human rights in Sri Lanka - and still face persecution today. As we approach the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence, our Government must take a lead in ensuring the Sri Lankan government takes active steps to support justice for Tamils in Sri Lanka and commit to serious post-conflict reconciliation."

The Asian Development Bank approved an additional $75 million on Tuesday to fund the development of small and medium sized enterprises in Sri Lanka. 

"SMEs have the potential to reduce regional inequalities in Sri Lanka given that SMEs are more widespread throughout the country than larger enterprises, which are mainly based in the capital Colombo," the ADB's principal finance specialist, Don Lambert said. 

"The additional support will ensure that more SMEs have wider access to credit," he added. 

SMEs, which are considered essential to the development of Sri Lanka's economy continue to find access to finance difficult. 

Sri Lanka's prime minister and UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered UNP ministers to curtail criticism of the president, Maithripala Sirisena. 

Speaking to the UNP Working Committee meeting on Wednesday morning, Mr Wickremesinghe was quoted by the Daily Mirror telling UNP ministers "not to make controversial statements dragging President Maithripala Sirisena anymore". 

He also told his party ministers to settle any issues that they may have with the SLFP within the unity government. 

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The LTTE's former Jaffna commander, Col. Kittu was remembered in Puthukudiyiruppu 25 years after he and nine other Maaveerar committed suicide after being surrounded by Indian navy warships in 1993. 

The event was addressed by the local representatives for Crusaders for Democracy and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). 

Sri Lankan authorities have remanded two individuals for allegedly 'promoting the LTTE' over the New Year period. 

The two individuals were accused of posting a New Year greetings containing 'LTTE symbols' in a social media post. 

The Colombo Additional Magistrate, Lakmali Jayasinghe on Wednesday remanded the pair till January 24, the Sunday Leader reported. 

Sri Lanka's Cabinet unanimously decided to revoke a gazette allowing alcohol sales to women after the president, Maithripala Sirisena overruled the proposal. 

Responding to pressure from senior Buddhist clergy, Mr Sirisena said a move to lift the ban on women purchasing and selling alcohol would endanger 'Sri Lankan family' culture. 

The Cabinet's decision, communicated by the Minister for Ports and Shipping also revoked the gazette to allow liquor shops to extend their opening hours. 

Plans to build a Sri Lanka Navy security and watch post in Kayts has resulted in landgrabs of Tamil-owned private land in the area.

The owner of land in Paruthiyadaippu received a letter from the district survey office saying that his land would be surveyed for appropriation on the 25th, despite the owner having objected to his land being seized.

The Prime Minister of Singapore and the President of Indonesia are scheduled to make separate state visits to Sri Lanka next week.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the Singaporean Premier, Lee Hsien Loong, will sign a Free Trade Agreement, reports dailynews.lk.

A discussion set to take place at Jaffna University on the proposed new constitution for Sri Lanka was banned by the Election Commission on the grounds that it would disadvantage certain political parties while benefiting others at the upcoming local government elections.

The Tamil People’s Council, an organisation led by the Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, was set to hold a discussion on the interim report of the constitutional assembly at the university on Tuesday.

In a letter to the university’s Vice Chancellor, the Election Commission said it had received a complaint that the event would strengthen some political parties or weaken others.

A local government candidate for the TULF in Mannar said his home was attacked by unknown individuals who surrounded his house, threw rocks, lit firecrackers and pasted ITAK posters on his walls.

The candidate, Soosai Santhan, of Aadkaddiveli in Manthai West, said he telephoned the police several times while the attack was taking place but officers failed to turn up.

He filed a complaint on Sunday, the following day, with Adampan police.