<p>The number of Tamil Nadu tourists to Sri Lanka has fallen in recent weeks following the island's political turmoil, Times of India reported this month.&nbsp;</p> <p>The paper reported that tour operators had received the highest number of cancellations since the end of the armed conflict.&nbsp;</p>

Residents and locals continued clearing Alampil Thuyilum Illam (LTTE cemetries) today, which remains under military control. 

The NPC councillor, T Ravikaran and TNPF's General Secretary, S Kajendran also took part in the preparations which are taking place ahead of Tamil Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal) on November 27. 

Condemning the military ongoing hold on the North-East, Ravikaran said, "many thuyilum illams across the North-East are occupied by the military". 

"They should all be released," he urged. 

 

Sri Lanka's Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya remained defiant despite two days of violence in the parliamentary complex, stating he "would safeguard the democracy even by sacrificing his life". 

He added that "would not be intimidated by any threats or obstacles placed in his way" and urged "people of the country who loved their motherland to maintain peace in the country".

<p>The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena today called for a cross party conference to discuss a way forward to the island's ongoing political crisis.&nbsp;</p> <p>The conference is expected to be held tomorrow at the Presidential Secreteriat.&nbsp;</p> <p>It is not known which parties will send representatives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Schools in the Northern Province were closed on Friday due to adverse weather conditions caused by the cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’.</p> <p>Although Sri Lanka’s meteorology department predicted that the storm would move away from the island this evening, the North-East, particularly the Jaffna peninsula, has been hit by severe rains and windy conditions.</p>

<p>Senior US policy figure Samantha power called for “ramped up international pressure” on Sri Lanka this week, amidst violence in parliament between lawmakers.</p> <p>Stating that the proposed prime minister appointee Mahinda Rajapaksa stands “credibly accused of war crimes,” Power noted that “institutions in SL are bending but not breaking”.</p> <p>“Ramped up international pressure is key,” she added.</p>

<p>The MDMK leader, Vaiko on Thursday rejected an order from the Chennai High Court instructing the burning of over 1700 copies of a book, compiling the speeches of the Tamil nationalist, Pazha Nedumaran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior officials from the United States, India, Australia and Japan met in Singapore yesterday to discuss the Indo-Pacific region, with the political crisis in Sri Lanka firmly on the agenda.&nbsp;</p> <p>US officials underscored the importance of "encouragement of an outcome to political developments in Sri Lanka consistent with democratic principles" during the meeting, the State Department said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The UPFA MP Susil Premajayantha accused the TNA MP M A Sumanthiran of producing the parliamentary disarray which he said, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe directed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Current Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena’s schemes “are blowing up in his face” writes The Economist on Thursday, as political turmoil in Colombo continues with violence inside parliament this week.</p> <p>Sri Lanka still “has no clear government” the piece continued, stating it was in a “constitutional quandary” and that the island’s “bureaucracy fell into near paralysis”.</p> <p>The Economist concluded by saying,</p> <blockquote><p>

<p>Sri Lanka's business chambers has urged an end to the political crisis warning of economic downfall otherwise.&nbsp;</p> <p>"We are deeply concerned about the current political situation in the country. It is our view that the executive and the elected representatives have a duty to ensure that decisions are taken with regard for due process and the Rule of Law," a joint statement by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka, Joint Apparel Association Forum and Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce wrote.&nbsp;</p> <p>"The events of the last few weeks have resulted in absolute instability which is a situation that Sri Lanka simply cannot afford. This will no doubt hinder development and have a significantly adverse impact on the social and economic trajectory of our country. It is observed that the entire administration of this country has come to a standstill and the public officers are paralyzed being unable to discharge their functions. The ultimate victims are the people of our country.</p> <p>We recently witnessed the most unacceptable and abusive behavior displayed in the Chamber of the Sri Lanka Parliament. The conduct of some of the elected representatives was both shameful and an embarrassment to our country.<br> &nbsp;</p>

<p>Britain’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka criticised the “deplorable behaviour” of Sri Lankan lawmakers as a second day of violence engulfed the chamber on Friday.</p> <p>“Today Sri Lankans have again seen deplorable behaviour by some MPs, unbecoming of them and of their noble institution,” said James Dauris in a tweet following Friday’s violence.</p> <p>“No parliament can perform its role when its own members stop it from doing so.”</p>

<p>Amidst a second day of violence by lawmakers inside parliament, Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena vowed that he would not prorogue parliament “under any circumstances”.</p> <p>“I urge all Parliamentarians to uphold principles of democracy parliamentary traditions at all times,” he said whilst MPs were throwing chairs and bottles of water mixed with chilli powder at speaker Karu Jayasuriya this morning.</p>