A bus, taking people from the eastern district of Ampara to Jaffna, was attacked by a Sinhalese mob yesterday evening reports the Uthayan.

A group of 25 Sinhalese attacked the passengers travelling to Jaffna, after surrounding the bus when it stopped for service. One passenger was severely injured, whilst others had minor injuries reported the Uthayan.

The military has blocked off access to the blood donation centre at Jaffna teaching hospital in an attempt to stop people from donating blood as an act of remembrance for those that died in Mullivaikkal in 2009, the Uthayan, reported.

Armed troops have surrounded the Jaffna office of the Thinakkural newspaper, one of the paper's journalists tweeted within the past hour.

The incident comes amidst heavy military presence outside the Uthayan newspaper's office earlier today, with over 50 armed soldiers surrounding the building.

 

The Sri Lankan military has restricted access to Keerimalai, blocking Tamils from entering the town on the Jaffna peninsula, famous for its temple.

Events to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of Mullivaikkal at the temple were cancelled as the army blocked all main roads leading to the town, reported GTN.

The leader of the Canadian Liberal Party Justin Trudeau, said that it must be acknowledged that peace has not been settled in Sri Lanka, although the armed conflict ended 5 years ago.

A statement, released by Mr Trudeau’s office, further said that he would remain committed to achieving accountability and justice for those who had suffered the consequences of the war.

An event to commemorate the anniversary of the end of the armed conflict was marked by Canadian Tamils and politicians at an event in the Canadian parliament.

Several MPs and senators spoke at the event on Thursday, hosted by the Canadian Tamil Congress.

Tamils in Denmark marked the 5th anniversary of Mullivaikkal with a protest in Kopenhagen and an event in Randes.

Photographs Tamil Guardian

Thousands of Tamils gathered in London to mark the 5 year anniversary of the end of the armed conflict where tens of thousands of Tamils were killed.

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) hailed the sweeping victories of the Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu and BJP leader Narenda Modi in India as historic, congratulating both on their appointment, and expressing hope that the new government "will stand firmly against the past and present injustices faced by the Tamils and deal decisively with the Rajapaksa government in bringing just peace in the island of Sri Lanka."

“GTF is delighted that the determined voice of support that has echoed consistently from across the Palk Strait has been strengthened by a historic democratic vote [and] send our humble congratulations in celebrating Madam Jayalalithaa and her party being re-elected with an overwhelming historic majority to lead the people of Tamil Nadu and be the leader of Tamils all over the world including the Tamil nation in the island of Sri Lanka,” GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran told Tamil Guardian.

Highlighting the vocal positions Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had taken over recent years against the mass atrocities inflicted on the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, Mr. Surendiran expressed hope that she would be able to exert her influence on the new BJP led government. Jayalalithaa's party, AIADMK, winning 37 out of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, has emerged the third largest party in India.

"Madam Jayalalithaa and her party have stood firm against the injustices levelled upon the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka. Madam Jayalalithaa is the first elected international leader who has formally referred to what is happening to the Tamil nation in the island as genocide, called for an international investigation in Sri Lanka to establish whether war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed, demanded for economic sanctions against the Colombo government and referred to President Rajapaksa as a war criminal."

"GTF sincerely hopes that Madam Jayalalithaa will be able to influence the new BJP led government under Prime Minister Elect, Hon. Narendra Modi to stand firm and be decisive when dealing with the historic and continued injustices served upon our people in the island of Sri Lanka."