The proposal by a Sri Lankan presidential commission for “accountable amnesties” for those guilty of violating international humanitarian law is “not a real way forward” said James Ross, Legal and Policy Director at Human Rights Watch.

Mr Ross said the idea of “accountable amnesties” for such grave crimes was an oxymoron, as he criticised the commission’s recommendations of running contrary to an earlier UN Human Rights Council resolution, co-sponsored by Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade said the foreign ministry was fully aware of the hiring of a US lobby firm to help the government's international ties.

Malik Samarawickrema said he had received Sri Lankan cabinet approval for the move, which is costing the government some $30,000 a month. The Sunday Times reported that the firm, Travis and Rosenberg (ST&R), has been hired "to educate officials on a non-existent peace process, increase economic ties and market access".

A Muslim businessman was reported missing on Sunday after reports that he had recently complained to the CID about frauds committing by other business people amounting to Rs 70 million, the Daily Mirror reported. 

The 29 year old man, named as Mohammed Sakeem Sulaiman was reported missing by his family. 

Bambalapitiya police have launched an investigation into his disappearance. 

A Tamil mother holds a photograph of her missing son at a protest outside Sri Lanka's presidential commission sitting in Jaffna last year.

Sri Lanka’s presidential commission to investigate disappearances across the island has recommended amnesties for those accused of human rights abuses in its final set of recommendations, reports the

The Sri Lankan government has hired yet another lobby firm based in the United States, reports the Sunday Times.

The firm, Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg (ST&R), has reportedly been hired with the blessings of Sri Lanka’s Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema to “educate officials on a non-existent peace process, increase economic ties and market access”. The firm is charging a monthly fee of US$ 30,000.

The Sri Lankan army has denied reports that it will be closing down camps in the Eastern province.

Hiru News reported the Ministry of Defence as stating “there is no truth” to a report that 64 camps were set to be withdrawn from the Eastern province. It went on to label such reports as “misinformation” adding that there would be no reduction in the number of camps in in Trincomalee, Amparai and Batticaloa.

Camps are to been maintained “as part of a holistic plan to ensure national security” it said.

Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa criticised his predecessor Chandrika Kumaratunga this week, rubbishing her claim that “75%” of the war against the LTTE had been completed under her government.

"The aristocrats can make all sorts of claims, but the people of this country know the truth,” said Mr Rajapaksa. “They are the best judges."

Ms Kumaratunga made the comments in 2014, when she questioned “How can one deny it?”

Despite widespread criticism over Sri Lanka's historic lack of judicial process over state crimes committed against the Tamil people, the prime minister on THursday defended the country's legal system, stating that any prosecutions to emerge from the Office of Missing Persons would occur under the present laws. 

Stating that "the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) will lead to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission," Mr Wickremesinghe was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying, "truth should not lead to retribution. We should put the past behind us. We have a future ahead."

Families of those missing marched in Mullaitivu on Thursday, protesting against the enforced disappearances of their loved ones and demanding action. 

Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy wrote to India’s external affairs minister this week, calling for the release of four fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy.

Mr Narayanasamy, who met with Minster Sushma Swaraj in Delhi last week to discuss the issue of the Sri Lankan military arresting fishermen, called for steps to be taken to release the men.