The Sri Lankan air force continued with its militarisation of Vavuniya, despite calls for the military to vacate the region, with a series of events to mark its 40th anniversary.
Though the Sri Lankan military has faced widespread criticism for its involvement in civilian activities, and in particular schools in the largely Tamil North-East, the air force held a medical clinic for a school in the region and gave handouts to the schoolchildren.
Soldiers in full camouflage uniform also attended a religious ceremony at a Hindu temple in Vavuniya.
Meanwhile, Buddhist religious ceremonies were also held, where troops dressed in white and prayed before a monk.
The activities of the Sri Lankan military have been slammed by Tamil civil society groups, politicians and locals who have all demanded the North-East be demilitarised. Despite the Sri Lankan government pledging to do so, many military activities continue unabated, with the military involved a range of civilian activities.
