“The fully furbished Australian Bay-class patrol vessel will substantially augment the SLN’s capacity as ti is able to cover a large area of Indian Ocean and serve Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Area more effectively. The event symbolises the commitment of key partners in enhancing maritime security in the region and the bilateral cooperation that exists between the two governments on combating people smuggling.”

“The consequence of that is that anyone dealing with those organisations will be subject to accusations of cooperating with terrorism—that brings them within the parameters of a rather draconian piece of legislation, the Prevention of Terrorism Act.”

Students in Chennai held a protest this weekend, criticising India for their stance on Sri Lanka and calling for economic sanctions to be put in place.

Organised by the Tamil Youth and Students Federation, over 150 people gathered in Chennai, calling on India to impose economic sanctions on Sri Lanka.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on Sri Lanka to “constructively engage and cooperate” with the Office of the High Commissioner on the implementation of the resolution passed by the Human Rights Council last week.

Speaking at the daily briefing of the UN, deputy spokesperson for the Secretary General Farhan Haq said that Ban Ki-moon welcomes the “determination” shown by High Commissioner Navi Pillay to advance accountability.

The general secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhist organisation thought to be close to Defence Secretary gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has been acquitted of attacking a church in 2008.

Galabodaaththe Gnanasara and 13 others, inlucding 4 other monks, were charged with trespassing and attacking the Calvary Church in Thalahena, Malabe, reported the Daily Mirror.

“I’m not here to share my information with you, that is important. And certain action which we have shared with relevant authorities is there to justify that Sri Lankan government has enough credible evidence to suggest that,”