Sri Lanka's state minister of defense, Ruwan Wijewardene reiterated on Monday that he would not let anyone discredit the country's security forces. In an apparent reference to remembrance events in the North-East this week marking the massacre of Tamils at the end of the ethnic conflict, Mr Wijewardene was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying, "there were some elements trying to tarnish the reputation of the security forces by lighting lamps while enjoying the freedom reinstated in this country because of the efforts of security forces who sacrificed their life and limb to do so." “Some...
Tamil civil society groups and local politicians have criticised the Sri Lankan health ministry’s declaration of May 18 and 19 as National Dengue Eradication Week, claiming the move is an attempt to disrupt Mullivaikkaal remembrance activities. The sudden announcement which was passed via the directors of the Northern and Eastern Provincial Health Services included instructions for health officials to search homes in the North-East for dengue mosquito breeding habitats. Residents reported that during previous similar searches, military forces were involved, sparking fears that future searches...
Organisers of Tamil genocide remembrance week commemorated the passing of the Vaddukoddai resolution 41 years ago on Sunday.
The Commander of the Security Forces in Kilinochchi, Major General Ajith Kariyakarawanan distributed 20 dairy cattle amongst families in Visuwamadu and Poonakaryan. The distribution event was attended by the Government Agent, Mr Suntharam Arumainayaham, General Jariyakarawanana and a prominent Buddhist monk. Dr ration packs were also circulated amongst families that attended the event, reports the Sri Lankan army website.
The third day of Tamil genocide remembrance week was marked in Navaly on Sunday.
A Sri Lankan army commander laid the foundation stone for a controversial new Buddhist stupa in Jaffna this week.
A vigil was held in Oorani on Saturday to mark the second day in the week leading up to the anniversary of Mullivaikkaal, which is being observed in the North-East as Tamil genocide remembrance week.
Meeting with the Indian premier on Friday during his two day visit of Sri Lanka the Tamil National Alliance made clear "our expectation is of meaningful power sharing in a merged North-East".
India's prime minister Narendra Modi called for increased economic and developmental connectivity with Sri Lanka whilst on a two day visit to the island. "I believe we are at a moment of great opportunity in our ties with Sri Lanka. An opportunity to achieve a quantum jump in our partnership across different fields. And, for us, the most relevant benchmark for the success of our friendship is your progress and success," said Mr Modi speaking as the chief guest for Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo.
A demonstration took place in Pungudutivu on Thursday, with dozens of Tamils protesting against a move to transfer the case of the rape and murder of a Tamil schoolgirl to a court in Colombo, in front of three Sinhala speaking judges. The rape and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vithya set off massive protests across the Tamil North-East, with demands that the perpetrators be held accountable. Two years on, and a trial is yet to begin. Relatives of the murdered schoolgirl, alongside other locals, protested against an attempt to move the case to Colombo, instead of letting the trial take...