Tamil families of the disappeared in Vavuniya marked 2,700 days of protest over the weekend as their campaign to find out the fate of their forcibly disappeared loved ones continues. 

In a bid to unify Tamil political parties under the umbrella of the Tamil National Alliance, the coalition held its first national conference in Jaffna over the weekend. 

The event was held under the leadership of the General Secretary of the TNP, C.W Wigneswaran. Leader of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) party S. Shritharan was the chief guest while professor K.R Ganesalingam, the head of the political science department at the Jaffna University was a special guest. 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) have stated that Sri Lanka has continued to use the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to "target perceived opponents and minority communities without credible evidence" despite repeated promises to repeal the legislation and a moratorium on its use. 

The PTA allows Sri Lankan authorities to detain individuals without charge and denies due process rights.  The  draconian legislation has been used for decades against Tamils and Muslims.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane’s official visit to the United States takes place against the backdrop of a historic resolution passed by the US Congress. The resolution calls for an independence referendum for Eelam Tamils and recognition of the genocide committed against them by the Sri Lankan state.

Acting on a complaint regarding the shortage of doctors, the Human Rights Commission has initiated an inquiry into the situation at Chavakachcheri Hospital. Media reports revealed that on the night of the 17th July, there were no doctors or nurses available in the hospital’s outpatient department. As a result, patients seeking medical attention had to seek treatment elsewhere.

^{Russian POWs held by Ukraine.}

The Russian government announced an early release of all Indian citizens fighting in its army, according to India’s foreign ministry, following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Moscow.

Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, reiterated his pledge to implement the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution 'in full' during another recent visit to the North-East this week, despite outrage from across the Sinhala south.

During a meeting in Mannar, he made this announcement adding that he would not be deterred from carrying out a full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the constitution.

Sri Lanka’s president Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed the “guidance and advice of the Maha Sangha are crucial in leading the country,” as he addressed the Sinhala Buddhist clergy on the topic of “establishing a new economic and political system” on the island.