Speaking at the 5th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Russia, the Russian ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alexander Karchava, assured Sri Lanka that Russia will take every possible opportunity to secure the support of the UNHRC member countries against a possible resolution on Sri Lanka, that will likely be tabled at the forthcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions.

A Tamil political prisoner in Colombo has undertaken a hunger strike to demand the release of political prisoners.

T Prabhakaran, who is being held in the Welikada prison, started a fast unto death on Wednesday.

DMK president M Karunanadhi, criticised Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's comments in his address to Parliament on engagement with Sri Lanka.

Karunanidhi said in a statement:

The main Muslim clergy body in Sri Lanka, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, has asked stores to sell halal products to Muslims only, after Buddhist protests a

A 37 year old British Tamil man has been reported missing in Colombo, reports Uthayan.

The Sri Lankan Navy has confirmed that they will be providing pilgrims with 'assistance' for the upcoming St Anthony's Church annual feast in Kachchativu.

Protests in India against UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya have forced him to return to Sri Lanka, cutting his trip in India short.

Protestors from various organisations, including DMK, BJP, MDMK, PMK, VCK, Naam ThamizharIyakkam gathered outside the hotel where Jayasuriya was staying and chanted slogans demanding that he leave India immediately.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee claimed that India was 'making progress in our engagement with Sri Lanka' on the issue of equality for Tamils, when addressing the Indian Parliament on Thursday.

Speaking to Parliament, Mukherjee said,

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalitha has said that the state will not host the Asian Athletics Championships, due to be held in July, because of the participation of Sri Lankan athletes.

The government is to announce that elections in the North will be held on 7th September, reports Uthayan.

Speaking at a function in Chennai, The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalilitha broke her silence over the killing of 12 year old Balachandran, calling it an “inhuman act of extreme cruelty,” urging for those accountable to face international trial.

The Chairperson of the Defence Ministry, Ioma Rajapaksa, handed over the keys of a newly constructed house to its owner, a ’war hero’, at a function today.

In its latest report, the International Crisis Group (ICG), reiterated the call for international action, arguing that the Sri Lanka government has "crossed a threshold into new and dangerous terrain".

Alan Keenan, ICG's Sri Lanka project director said:

Commenting on the evidence of the execution of Vellupillai Prabhakaran's son Balachandran, the former commander of the army has said that the army had "no information" as to the whereabouts of Prabhakaran's family.