UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has slammed the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing anti-drug operation, “Operation Yukthiya”, and urged the government to comply with a human-rights based approach.

In a statement Türk notes that “a staggering 29,000 people have reportedly been arrested on drug related matters since 17 December”. Those detained have allegedly been subject to ill-treatment and torture.

Human Rights Watch’s (HRW’s) 2024 World Report raises alarm over Sri Lanka’s continued repressive policies and details how its economic policies have hit poorest the hardest.

As Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at HRW, stated:

“The current administration is responding with policies that weigh heaviest on those who have the least, while suppressing voices that are essential for accountable, democratic decision-making.”

Landing on the scene with hyper-violent art film 2021’s ‘Rocky,’ Matheswaran swiftly followed it up last year with the equally violent ‘Saani Kaayidham.’ The Keerthy Suresh starrer was a tightly written revenge film with stunning cinematography, performances and score. Matheswaran proved himself to be a highly capable director, and looked to expand his vision and scope with this year’s release ‘Captain Miller.’ Starring Dhanush and scored by GV Prakash, Matheswaran had his eyes set on entering the commercial zone. 

‘Ayalaan’ stars Sivakarthikeyan, is scored by AR Rahman and tackles the extraterrestrial sub-genre of science fiction. In every department, ‘Ayalaan’ is a bigger film than its predecessor. However, whether it is a better film is certainly up for debate. 

In a move that has sparked both domestic and international concerns, Sri Lanka's Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe presented the much-criticised Anti-Terrorism Bill to replace the longstanding Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

Eelam writer and former Secretary of the Jaffna University Student Union, Theepachelvan , introduced his latest novel, "Terrorist," to an audience at Jaffna University this week.

Set against the backdrop of Jaffna, the novel weaves the city's essence with a prominent presence of the Jaffna University. The launch event, held at the University, was presided over by K. Thuvaraga, the President of the Jaffna University Student Union.

A senior Canadian police chief sparked controversy with a visit to Sri Lanka last month, where he discussed “cooperation” with its notorious police force and visited the office of a senior official who the Supreme Court found had personally participated in torture.

S. Jenita, the head of the Vavuniya of Families of the Disappeared, who was arrested by the Sri Lankan police as she attempted to stage a protest last week, has finally been released on bail.

Sri Lankan troops with the army and police conducted a raid at the Jaffna Central Bus Station, as part of the much criticised “Operation Yukthiya” (meaning “justice” in Sinhala). The raid caused inconveniences to hundreds of daily commuters as passengers in buses were extensively checked, impacting the normal flow of public transportation.

The 39th anniversary commemoration of Sinnathurai Raveenthiran, popularly known as Captain Pandithar, a prominent commander in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), took place at his residence in Valvettithurai, Jaffna on Tuesday.