<p>Tamil activists have been "abducted, tortured and raped because of their involvement in the search for the truth about the disappeared in Sri Lanka,"&nbsp; the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) said in their press release, marking International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.&nbsp;</p> <p>The young activists "collected names or helped with protests or assisted the families of the disappeared to register complaints" before they were detained, the ITJP noted. Since 2015, at least 15 victims have been granted refugee status in the UK.&nbsp;</p> <blockquote><p>

Members and supporters of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) protested demanding the Sri Lanka government to release Tamil political prisoners who have extensively been detained in prisons.

The protest was held in Jaffna yesterday under the organisation of the TNPF in front on the Jaffna Central Bus Stand and was attended by the leader of the TNPF and parliamentarian, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, parliamentarian Selvarajah Kajendran, members of the TNPF local council among others.

Tamil families of the disappeared rallied across the North-East today to mark International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Families demonstrated in districts across the Tamil homeland and were joined by members of the public and Tamil politicians. 

<p>A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is set to be signed between Sri Lanka and India, which will grant 300 million Sri Lankan rupees to expand the passenger terminal and luggage inspection area of Jaffna's Palaly airport.</p> <p>Tourism Minister, Prasanna Ranatunge announced the measures following meetings with Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.&nbsp;</p>

Tamil mother at a protest in Vavuniya earlier this month

 

Sir Ed Davey, a long-time of the British Tamil community, has been elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, after having secured 63.5% of the vote.

In the past, Davey has spoken in favour of recognising Tamil genocide and against the restoration of GSP+ status to Sri Lanka. GSP+ grants Sri Lanka favourable trade preferences with the European Union but was conditional on Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka met with Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R Sampanthan to discuss the recent parliamentary election results in the North and East. 

In their meeting, Sampanthan reportedly told US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz, the TNA's stance on the Sri Lankan government's decision to amend the 13th Amendment and called on the international community to pay close attention to this issue. 

<p>Parliamentarian C.V. Wigneswaran proclaimed, “Tamil Nationalism has not failed. It is in hibernation,” in response to a question regarding his take on the recent parliamentary election results and whether Tamil Nationalists have failed.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani (TMTK) leader denied that Tamil Nationalism has failed, stating that the “Tamil people have reacted to the selfish policy-less behaviour of the TNA [Tamil National Alliance].” &nbsp;</p>

The mother of Nalini Sriharan, the sole surviving member of the supposed five-team squad behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, has requested the detainee be moved from Vellore to Puzhal near Chennai, citing mistreatment and threats to her safety.

“Since my daughter wanted me to take immediate action to get her transferred to Puzhal prison, and since her life is in danger, I once again made a representation on July 21 seeking her transfer to Puzhal on humanitarian grounds,” Nalini’s mother said.

“My representation has not been considered so far and decided on by the respondents. Hence, I was constrained to move the present habeas corpus petition”.

<p>Extreme heat in Trincomalee over the last two months has caused drought in the district, with thousands affected in the Kinniya division.</p> <p>The hot weather has caused water shortages in 6 villages in the region, a divisional official for the National Disaster Relief Services Centre reported.</p> <p>More than 2000 people were suffering as a result of the water shortage in the Kinniya area.</p> <p>Farmers, freshwater fish farmers, and livestock farmers have been particularly affected by drought which is also reportedly impacting tens of thousands of people around the island.</p>