Violence erupted in Tamil Nadu this week following the death of a 17-year-old schoolgirl whose body was found at a hostel in Kallaraikurichi.

Protestors entered the hostel premises on Sunday where buses were overturned and burnt, as thousands demanded justice for her death, which her family have said remains suspicious. As Tamil Nadu police had set up blockades preventing access to the schools, protestors broke the barricades and threw stones causing clashes between police and protestors to ensue. Many protestors were subject to a lathi charge or were beaten by police officers, who reportedly fired bullets into the air at least twice to control the protestors.

After Sri Lanka’s president fled and took refuge in Singapore, local Tamils have expressed their outrage at the accused war criminal and at their own government for allowing him into the country.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka last week, amidst a wave of protests that saw even his presidential residence ransacked. After boarding a military plane to the Maldives, Rajapaksa then went to Singapore, where he is currently residing.

The Tamil National People’s Front explained why it was going to abstain from voting for a new Sri Lankan president, ahead of a vote in parliament on Wednesday.

See the full text of their Twitter thread explaining the party’s decision below.

The Central Committee of the TNPF examined the choices for President extensively. Thereby we met with the parties that had sought our support over the past two days.

Whilst many in the Sinhala South seem satisfied with the opportunity to have a new leader after the ousting of one that they had overwhelmingly voted for just two years prior; for Tamils in the North-East, the dismal choice of candidates is yet further proof that Colombo is incapable of reform.

Tomorrow Sri Lankan parliamentarians will elect the next President of Sri Lanka following the resignation and departure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the island.

Ahead of this vote, Tamil Guardian examines the record of the primary candidates for president; Ranil Wickremesinghe, Dullas Alahapperuma, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sajith Premadasa, leader of Sri Lanka’s largest opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has withdrawn his candidacy in favour of Rajapaksa-ally Dullas Alahapperuma, from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

For the greater good of my country that I love and the people I cherish I hereby withdraw my candidacy for the position of President. @sjbsrilanka and our alliance and our opposition partners will work hard towards making @DullasOfficial victorious.

Shritharan Sivagnanam, an MP from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), met with US diplomats and members of the US Congress this week, noting that only an independent referendum would provide a permanent political solution for the Tamil people. 

In discussions with diplomats, Shirthanran stated that the US government should assist in allowing for an independent referendum monitored by the international community to democratically and peacefully determine a political solution.

Ahead of a vote to decide Sri Lanka’s care-taker President, the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) have declared their intention to abstain from voting, stating on Twitter:

The TNPF has decided not to participate in the vote for President in Parliament on Wednesday (20th).https://t.co/usUVMgH88s

The Sri Lankan military continues with its militarisation in the North-East by teaching Tamil school children English, claiming it is "grooming" the future of the North-East.

Sri Lanka is in an economic crisis, and the blame is being laid squarely at the door of its president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Last weekend, tens of thousands of protesters tore that door down and stormed his official residence. Since the beginning of this economic crisis, Sri Lankans have been quick to denounce his corruption and amassing of personal wealth. They picked apart his policies ranging from his tax cuts to his pledge to ban chemical fertilizers. Sri Lanka’s protestors, however, have been conspicuously silent about one of the state’s most significant policies that have brought the country to this predicament in the first place - the Sri Lankan military occupation of the Tamil North-East.