Tamil churches across the North-East saw in the new year with special services.

Photo above: Yaazh Punitha Mariyaal (Our Lady of the Refuge)

Relatives of the disappeared held a protest  in Vavuniya on Friday, demanding justice for the thousands of missing and disappeared Tamils.

Sri Lanka and India are set to hold the third round of talks on the proposed Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) on January 4th and 5th in Colombo. 

Discussions have become increasingly difficult as both parties failed to agree on a good deal, reported the Colombo Page. 

Sinhala nationalists have also raised objections regarding any economic agreement with the Indian government, which they see as in breach of their sovereignty. 

Whilst the Sri Lankan government hoped to have a deal in place by December 2016, the Indian government has pushed for a more a deadline of May 2017. 

Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has hit back at criticism from a parliamentarian, calling it an attempt to “erode the Sinhala Buddhist vote base of the United National Party (UNP)”.

Sri Lankan MP Atshu Marasinghe labelled Mr Rajapakshe a “NGO write-off” and spoke out at his meeting with “men in robes”.

Mr Rajapakshe responded by calling the comments disrespectful and an attempt to dig away at the UNP’s Sinhala Buddhist vote base.

See more from the Daily Mirror here.

Sri Lankan soldiers have constructed water wells in two locations in Jaffna, including at a Saivite temple this month, according to an official military website.

Officials warn that Sri Lanka may endure what could be the worst drought since the early 1970s.

Disaster Management Minister Anura Yapa said that the government is preparing to deal with repercussion through efforts such as food and water relief. However, water conservation efforts could help mitigate the crisis.

It is expected that rice cultivation will decline. The Department of Irrigation ceases water distribution for cultivation and is rather prioritizing access to drinking water.

Karunarathna Paranavithanage, Deputy Information Minister says that conflicts may arise. In the past access to wells and streams have created conflict.

Sri Lankan courts decided to further remand the five police officers suspected in the shooting death of Jaffna University students Nadarasa Gajen and Vijayakumar Sulakshan.

Magistrate S. Satheeswaran extended the remand for Sub Inspector Sarath Dissanayake, Sgt P. S. Jayawardena, PC Chandana, PC Laknamanna and PC Navarathne until 13 January. They are to be held in the Anuradhapura Prison.

The court ordered the prosecution to submit a report on the weapons possessed by the suspects.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the police force informed the court that investigations are ongoing.

The former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa told journalists this week that he intended to "topple" the current government in 2017. 

“Earlier when I said that I am going to defeat Prabakaran, I knew, I could," Mr Rajapaksa said, stating that he had "similar confidence" now about toppling the current government. 

Mr Rajapaksa dismissed the government's parliamentary majority, stating that it was undermined as “they are fighting each other”. 

He blamed the current government for the lack of progress on development in the country. 

Over 6000 Sri Lankan soldiers have returned to obtained their legal discharge from the military following the declaration of a general amnesty, reports the Ministry of Defence.

The month-long amnesty has attracted thousands, including at least two “high ranking officers” to return.

Several amnesty periods have been declared by the Sri Lankan military over the years, with tens of thousands returning to obtain their legal discharge.

Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry warned of “disciplinary action” to those soldiers who failed to report back once the amnesty period ends on 31 December.

A group of Sri Lankans living in the UK held a protest in London last week, demonstrating against any proposed changes to Sri Lanka’s constitution.

The group waved Sri Lankan flags and brandised placards in Sinhala and English.