JVP led monks threatened to launch street protests with other bhikkus if the government with what they called unnecessary laws to control the Maha Sangha, reports the Island.

Sri Lanka’s accountability mechanism would have an international process said British Foreign Minister Hugo Swire during his visit to the island.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of his 3 day visit, Mr Swire said,

The ongoing military presence and occupation of the northern province six years after the end of the armed conflict lays the foundation for violence, said the chief minister of the northern province, C V Wigneswaran at the 'National Thaipongal Festival' in Jaffna on Friday.

“The fact that an estimated 150000 armed men belonging to an Occupational Army is stationed in the Northern Province six long years after the end of the War necessarily lays the foundation for violence," said Justice Wigneswaran.

"[The military] have taken over our lands, our livelihoods, our businesses, our resources and are a threat to the wellbeing of our war widows and others.”  

“Are we therefore in a fit state of mind to celebrate Thai Pongal?” Justice Wigneswaran asked the audience, who included the Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with the UK Foreign Office minister for South Asia, Hugo Swire who is currently visiting the island.

Drawing attention to the 16th goal of the UN's 2013 agenda for sustainable development, which calls for justice for all and the establishment of accountable and inclusive institutions, Justice Wigneswaran said "this is indeed what we Tamils of this country are interested in."

British Foreign Office Minister for Asia Hugo Swire arrived in Jaffna this morning to celebrate Thaipongal.

The minister addressed an event at the Veerasingam Hall in Jaffna, which was attended by the Chief Minister of the Northern Province C. V. Wigneswaran, as well as Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his wishes to the Tamil community who are celebrating Thai Pongal around the world today.

“Thai Pongal reminds us of the many cultures and traditions that we are privileged to enjoy here in Canada,” said Mr Trudeau. “Our rich diversity is a source of strength, which should be cherished and celebrated.”

The prime minister also highlighted the success of the Tamil community in Canada, stating,

“This is also a time for all Canadians to recognize the important contributions the Tamil community has made and continues to make across our country”.

British Prime Minister David Cameron sent his wishes to the British Tamil community on Thai Pongal, recognising the positive contribution they make to life in the country.

The Mayor of London and Conservative party candidate for the next Mayor of London Borris Johnson and Zac Goldstein thanked the British Tamil community for their contribution ‘to making London the greatest city in the world,” in their Thai Pongal message.

Speaking at the Shree Ganapathy Temple in London, Borris Johnson thanked the Tamil community for their contribution to society and wished them a Happy Thai Pongul.

Buddhist monks have raised concerns over a parliamentary bill which they claim attempts to control and restricts monks, reports Colombo Gazettte.

The National Bhikku Front said the Theravadi Bhikkku Kathikawath bill had been presented in parliament without consulting the Buddhist clergy.

Sri Lanka’s Navy distributed books to Tamil children studying in northern islets, reports news.lk.

The initiative was run by commanding officers of Sri Lanka’s Navy forces that operate around the island islets off the coast of the Jaffna peninsula.

The outgoing UN and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)  Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Subinay Nandy reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to the government of Sri Lanka in working together for the benefit of the people, reports Colombo Gazette.

Subinay Nandy will take up a new post as Head of the Asia Pacific Division of the Department of Political affairs in New York.

Former Sri Lankan Army Commander Sarath Fonseka denied that Sri Lankan troops killed the 12 year old son of LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran, however admitted that if such an execution took place, it amounted to a war crime.

Mr Fonseka denied the Sri Lankan army was responsible for the murder, despite photographic evidence of Balachandran Prabhakaran in Sri Lankan army custody.

Evidence obtained by documentary makers in 2013 showed the 12 year old boy, alive and apparently in army custody. Balachandran can be seen sitting with a snack in his hand, sitting on a bench surrounded by sandbags, in what looks like a fortified army position. Another picture shows him dead, with 5 bullet wounds to his body, with digital analysis of both pictures showing that they were taken by the same camera, only a couple of hours apart.

"Both these photographs and the video do not provide any evidence that the terrorist leader’s son was killed by the army; no other persons are seen in the pictures," claimed Mr Fonseka, who was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by the present government.

"Nobody has been able to prove this allegation though many have voiced their opinion,” he added.

Whilst admitting that if the 12 year old boy was killed, then the execution amounted to a war crime, the former commander remained adamant that Sri Lankan troops were not responsible.

“It is either a figment of their imagination or a fabrication to implicate the army," he said.