Sri Lankan police, army, and public health inspectors conducted raids in banks, businesses, private clinics and restaurants in Vavuniya this week, reportedly to control the recurrence of coronavirus infections in Vavuniya. 

Details of those who were not wearing masks and who did not observe “health practices” were recorded and warned.

Writing in the Diplomat, Madura Rasaratnam and Mario Arulthas, maintain that the current policy of appeasement, and of soft-pedalling on demands for "accountability and political reform", adopted by the US and India  "comes with considerable costs and uncertain gains".

Instead of attempts to outbid China, they argue that it is necessary to use "soft" leverage to "give Sinhala leaders a reality check and push for measures that are crucial to securing stability and preventing conflict recurrence".

^{File photo: Sri Lankan police officers intimidate Tamils who were preparing to mark Maaveerar Naal in 2018.}

A court in Mullaitivu has banned the commemoration of Maaveerar Naal – an annual day of remembrance to mark the lives lost during the Tamil armed struggle – following a request from the Sri Lankan security forces.

Sri Lankan police under the Mullaitivu Division filed a case in the Mankulam Court seeking an injunction against the holding of Maaveerar Naal events in areas under their jurisdiction.

Locals in Mullaitivu have demanded the removal of several Sri Lankan military checkpoints, which were reportedly set up to enforce coronavirus related lockdowns but have persisted for months afterwards without any explanation.

The roadblock-style checkpoints, have been set up on all four roads leading to Puthukkudiyiruppu Junction in Mullaitivu. The junction is usually kept constantly busy with crossing vehicles, but locals have long complained of the inconvenience caused by the military checkpoints.

A racist Sinhala Buddhist monk threatened officials in Batticaloa this week, as he staged an impromptu protest at the Divisional Secretariat office demanding land be allocated for the construction of a Buddhist shrine.

After 18 months of detention under Sri Lanka's draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, Muslim poet Ahnaf Jazeem, was brought before the High Court in Puttalam on Monday.

The Colombo District Court reissued summons against International Truth and Justice Project's (ITJP) executive director, Yasmin Sooka to be present in court in February 2022, for a civil defamation case filed by State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay.

Sallay who stands accused of abuses including the reported forced confession and denial of medical treatment of a Tamil doctor took legal action against ITJP in June over a 'defamation' claim demanding a compensation of one billion Sri Lankan rupees.

A memorial service was held for the victims of the St James’ Church bombings who were killed by Sri Lankan government airstrikes in the early hours of 13 November 1993. The commemorative event took place at the Church in Gurunagar, Jaffna.

It is estimated that at least nine civilians who had gathered for worship were killed in the attack. The ancient church was also destroyed in the repeated airstrikes. 

The commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, Sudarshana Pathirana observed the fall out parade of the No 7 Contingent of the aviation unit before their deployment to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) at the end of this month, despite ongoing human rights concerns.

The unit comprises of 20 officers and 90 airmen and will serve in the United Nations helicopter deployment. 

Amidst surveillance from the Sri Lankan security forces, a protest was held outside the divisional secretariat in Nedunkeni this week, demonstrating against ongoing Sinhala colonisation in Vavuniya.

Plainclothed officers from the security forces were seen photographing the protestors as intimidation and surveillance of Tamil political activity continues across the North-East.