A tribunal has sentenced seven people accused of raping and murdering Punguduthivu schoolgirl Vithya to death on Wednesday.

Out of nine charged and investigated at the trial-at-bar, suspects 1 and 7 were cleared of wrongdoing.

Suspects 2, 3, 5 and 6 - Poobalasingham Jeyakumar, Poobalasingham Thavakumar, Thillainathan Chandrahasan and Sivathevan Dushanth aka Periyammni - were found guilty of rape and murder and handed death sentences and 30 years imprisonment. Each was fine 40,000 Rs and each ordered to pay 1 million rupees compensation to the family of Vithya.

Several Sinhala MPs expressed concern in parliament today about the presence of Rohingya refugees in Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror reported. 

One opposition MP, Jayantha Samaraweera said a camp for Rohingya refugees had been set up near Mirihana, adding “social media has reported on this and it is indeed a reality."

"We would like to know what actions the government would take in regard to Extradition Laws," he asked. 

A group of 31 Rohingya refugees who had been sheltering at a UN safe house, were yesterday transferred to Boosa detention facility by Sri Lankan police, who claimed it was for their safety. 

The refugees were detained by police after a mob led by Sinhala Buddhist monks stormed the building, which is located in Mount Lavinia. 

According to AFP, the mob "broke down gates and entered the walled multi-storied compound as frightened refugees huddled together in upstairs rooms". 

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The former head of the Sri Lankan army said visa applications to travel to the United States have been rejected three times over reports of war crimes committed by the military.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror Sarath Fonseka denied being dropped from a Sri Lankan delegation visiting New York for the UN General Assembly, and instead said visa issues prevented him from travelling.   

The United States Embassy hosted a workshop on psychological operations for the Sri Lankan military in Kilinochchi earlier this month.

Thileepan was remembered in Kilinochchi on Tuesday, on the 30th anniversary of the final day of his fast.

Hundreds of students and staff at the University of Jaffna gathered to remember Thileepan, marking thirty years since his death.

Thileepan was remembered in Mannar on Tuesday on the 30th anniversary of his death.

The Sri Lankan government is looking to sign extradition treaties with several countries including those in Europe and Asia, the State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena said, reported Colombo Gazette. 

Treaties have already been signed between Sri Lanka and Ukraine, China and Vietnam. 

"The extradition treaties will help Sri Lanka and foreign countries exchange wanted criminals," Mr Wijewardena was quoted as saying. 

Thirty-one Rohingya refugees who were inside a UN safe house run by the UNHCR near Sri Lanka's capital city were taken into police custody, after a mob led by Sinhala Buddhist monks stormed the building on Tuesday. 

According to AFP, the mob "broke down gates and entered the walled multi-storied compound as frightened refugees huddled together in upstairs rooms". 

"We have pushed back the mob and the refugees will be relocated in a safer place," a police official was quoted by the news wire as saying.