The recent NPC resolution calling for a re-merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces in a federal setup should be discussed in parliament, the Tamil National Alliance spokesperson MA Sumanthiran told the Island.

The Frontline Socialist Party has warned Tamils that they should not harbour hopes for a federal setup in the North East.

Propaganda Secretary Pubudu Jagoda said at a press conference that the TNA was fishing in "troubled waters".

The newly appointment British non resident defence advisor, Captain Stuart Borland visited Sri Lanka last week, where he met with the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe and commanders of the army, navy and air force.

The Sri Lankan army has accused the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R Sampanthan of entering an army camp in Kilinochchi without prior permission.

The army's commander, Lt. General Chrishanta De Silva lodged a complaint over the alleged incident.

“This should not have happened," the minister Mahinda Samarasinghe was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying to press on Monday.

"If and when a VIP wants to visit a camp of the Armed forces, he or she must get prior approval from the Head Quarters of the respective force and the base commander makes necessary arrangements on the advices of the Head Quarters,” he added.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA)'s spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran on Tuesday rejected the Sri Lankan army's accusation that the TNA leader had entered an army camp in Kilinochchi without permission, stating the land belonged to the people.

Today marks the death of SJV Chelvanayagam QC, who is remembered across the Tamil nation for spear heading the Vaddukoddai resolution, which was overwhelmingly ratified by the Tamil votes in the 1976 parliamentary elections.

After representing the Tamil people for five general elections, experiencing repeated disappointments in over 3 decades of negotiation with the Sinhala majoritarian government, Chelvanayagam QC formulated the Vaddukoddai resolution, which remains a cornerstone of the Tamil movement for self-determination in Sri Lanka.

In the late fifties, Chelvanayagam QC signed the first ever pact between the Sinhala and Tamil community to resolve the issue of Tamil political demands. The Bandaranaike-Chelvanayam pact, signed in 1957, was abrogated by the then President due to vehement opposition by Sinhala parties.

Following another decade of civil disobedience and negotiations, Chelvanayagam QC signed a pact to settle Tamil political demands with the then UNP leader Mr Dudely Senanayake. The 1965 general elections, which preceded the signing of the Chelva-Dudely pact, saw no Sinhala political party obtain an absolute majority in parliament. Despite having the support of the Tamil political parties in parliament Mr Senanayake abrogated the pact as vehement opposition arose in the Sinhala South.

Last updated 25/04/16 21:51

A former LTTE commander who was earlier reported as abducted in the Eastern province, has been detained by Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), the police spokesperson revealed on Monday.

The commander, identified as Ram, was abducted at Thambuluvil in Amparai on Sunday after. 

He had already been through the Sri Lankan government’s ‘rehabilitation’ program after the end of the armed conflict on the island in 2009 and was only released 4 years later.

His wife had lodged a complaint with the police, but no further information has been released regarding his whereabouts.

The leader of Sri Lanka’s Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party called on Sri Lankan police to arrest Tamil National Alliance leader R Sampanthan, as investigations began against the Tamil politician.