The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has spoken out against the deportation of asylum seekers by the Sri Lankan government, which has continued after a Supreme Court ruling allowed their forcible return.

At least 312 people, mainly from Pakistan and Afghanistan, have been deported from ` August until the 3 October. A further 61 remain in detention.

The UNHCR office in Colombo commented,

“As you are aware, UNHCR continuously advocated against deportations and for the release of asylum-seeker and refugees that have been arrested and detained since June and will continue to do so. UNHCR has on numerous occasions, in different forums- both nationally and internationally, advocated for the cessation of arrests, detention and deportations.”

The wife of Selvanayagam Kajeepan, also known as 'Gopi', who was killed by Sri Lankan forces earlier this year, has been prevented from leaving Sri Lanka by officials at Colombo airport, reported the Daily Mirror.

Kajeepan Sarmila intended to travel to Switzerland for a relative's wedding and is in possession of a valid Swiss visa. Officials from the Swiss embassy arrived at the airport, and requested Sri Lankan immigration officials to release her, but the officials said an investigation was ongoing in relation to her husband and she would not be allowed to leave the country.

An official from the Terrorism Investigation Department took a statement from Ms Sarmila and allowed her to return home. Sri Lankan authorities have initiated an investigation into how she was able to obtain a visa, while the inquiry into Gopi's activities were ongoing.

Officials from the Northern Provincial Council have pointed out that 28,316 acres of land belonging to Tamils has been appropriated in just three districts in the province, reported the Uthayan.

The TNA councillors said a special meeting will be convened on October 9 to inquire into land grabs and that nformation revealed was gained from preliminary investigations.

A 20 year old woman was reported missing in Batticaloa by her mother on Friday, reports Uthayan.

The young woman, Nirojini Kanthasamy, was last seen on September 22, when she left home to pawn her ring at the bank in Vaaharai, her mother told the human rights commission in Batticaloa.

Since Nirojini went missing, her mother, Thanganayagam Kanthasamy reports receiving anonymous phone calls from over 5 different numbers.

Nirojini is from Puliyankandaladi village in the Vaaharai region of Batticaloa. 

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said during a meeting with supporters that only politicians who represented the LTTE, and those who supported their cause, did not acknowledge the progress made by the government, reported state media.

“No one is getting killed by bombs anywhere now. Highways which were only dreams for us before are now a reality. We will soon commence the construction of Kandy and Northern highways. Even the roads in rural areas are now been improved and carpeted. 96% of the population is now have electricity. We will be able to provide power to the remaining 4% by next year.”

“It is only a handful of politicians who represented the LTTE and those who supported their cause do not acknowledge this progress. I could not change them,” he said, while speaking at a meeting with Sri Lankan organisations based in Europe, during his visit to Rome

The Northern Provincial Council's Agriculture and Environment Minister P. Ayngaranesan said action is underway to ensure 100,000 trees are planted in the month of November, declaring it the first of an annual tree planting month.

A motion proposed by Ayngaranesan was accepted and passed by Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, ensuring the tradition would be carried on every year in the North from the 1st of November until November 30th, reports Uthayan.