Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam rejected the need for a common Tamil candidate at the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential election telling reporters:

“There is no need for a common candidate. The Tamil people have no interest in supporting one. One of the current candidates will inevitably become President. There is also speculation that this common candidate was introduced to serve the interests of another candidate, to prevent votes from going elsewhere”.

Ahead of Sri Lanka’s presidential election, Tamil lawmaker M.A. Sumanthiran met with candidate for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, Namal Rajapaksa, to discuss issues facing the North-East.

The SLPP’s Politbureau member, G. Cassilingham told reporters that Namal Rajapaksa had claimed he was willing to address the grievances of those in the North-East and provide a better livelihood.

The Daily Mirror quoted Cassilingham as stating Sumanthiran "appreciated Rajapaksa's efforts in working for the people in the North and East".

Tamil journalists, hailing from the North-East of Sri Lanka, recently found themselves barred from a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Their purpose was clear: to present a letter demanding justice and accountability for numerous crimes committed against their fellow Tamil journalists—many of whom were killed or remain missing.

Tamil residents of Chettikulam Vazhavaithakulam, Andiapuliankulam in Vavuniya staged a protest today demanding that the illegal construction of a dam be halted as it poses a grave risk to at least 80 families.

The protestors said that an individual had initiated the construction of the dam without any permission from the relevant authorities. They added that if the dam overflows, at least 80 families will have their homes submerged. 

Fisherfolk associations in the North-East have rejected claims made by Indian authorities that the Sri Lankan Navy is looting GPS tracking devices from Indian fishing trawlers. 

N.V. Kuppakamniyam, the head of the Northern Province Seafood Association told reporters in Jaffna that Indian authorities have painted them out to be akin to pirates, which is unfounded. 

Cash deposits have been placed for a total of 24 candidates to contest the 2024 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka. This also includes a bond for former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran who is to be a common candidate for the Eelam Tamils.

Tamils in Trincomalee remembered the victims of the Thiriyai massacre in which 12 Tamils were shot by Sri Lanka's security forces 39 years ago and called for the perpertrators to be held accountable. 

The families marked the massacre with a memorial, prayers, and floral tributes. 

Sri Lankan police in Mankulam have summoned Mullaitivu based journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan for interrogation this week, as the harassment of Tamil journalists by the security forces continues.

Police officers went to Thavseelan’s home when he was not home on August 7 and handed the summons to his family.

The summons ordered Thavaseelan to visit the office of the Assistant Superintendent of Police at Mankulam Police Station on Friday morning to record a statement for an investigation.

A group of Tamil political parties have endorsed the former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran to be a common candidate in next month’s presidential elections.

A group of Tamil political parties have endorsed the former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran to be a common candidate in next month’s presidential elections.