The Indian government has revived talks with Sri Lanka on linking the two countries’ electricity grids, a project that it has sought to carry out for several years, according to a report in Reuters.

Wasantha Perera, secretary of Sri Lanka's power ministry, confirmed that talks had taken places, stating "it is at very initial stages of discussion”.

The project had reported been brought up by New Delhi in March this year, as then Sri Lankan finance minister travelled to India to seek a USD $ 1 billion credit line. Cash-stricken Colombo has been reliant on its northern neighbour for much needed financial assistance as it battles one of its worst economic crises on record.

However, in exchange India has looked to expand several projects in the Tamil homeland in the North-East of the island, despite ongoing Sinhala hostility to an Indian presence on the island. Sinhala nationalists have previously prevented several Indian projects from taking place, part of a deeper ‘Indo-phobic’ sentiment across the South.

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has deleted a call it put out to “Sri Lankans living abroad”, in a desperate plea for foreign remittances as a government delegation meets with the International Monetary Fund this week hoping for a bailout loan.

The tweet, deleted within hours of being posted last week, lists four different bank accounts that those abroad can send “much needed foreign exchange to”. The accounts were listed in the US, Germany and London.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a series of tweets slamming a “morphed image” which claims to be from India’s external affairs minister, offering to proclaim Sri Lanka “become a State if India” in response to the ongoing economic crisis.

The fake tweet, which the High Commission said is “completely fake and fabricated” claims to show a tweet from S Jaishankar, stating that “India is extending a hand of survival to people of Sri Lanka” and “will look after all the future issues of Sri Lanka too”.

Responding to international outcry over the police shootings in the southern city of Rambukkana, Sri Lanka’s President and Prime Minister, Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa, claimed on Twitter that Sri Lankan police would carry out an “impartial and transparent inquiry”.

As Sri Lanka enters discussions with the International Monetary Fund, India has offered its support by calling on the IMF to “urgently provide financial assistance”.

#SriLanka Police forcibly prevented Tamils in #Batticaloa from lighting a lamp in memory of Annai Poopathy aka Kanapathypillai Poopathy, a 56 y/o #Tami mother fasted unto death on April 19, 1988 to protest the atrocities committed against Tamils by Indian Peace Keeping Force. pic.twitter.com/0R8WApaL5J

— JDS (@JDSLanka) April 19, 2022

Sri Lankan police obstructed Tamils in Batticaloa from lighting a lamp to mark the 34th death anniversary of Annai Poopathy, who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). 

Several heads of diplomatic missions including the UK, US and Canada condemned the violence in Sri Lanka as Sri Lankan police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in the town of Rambukkana, killing at least one person and injuring several.

Sarah Hulton, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, stated on Twitter:

I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of life in protests in Rambukkana. An independent and transparent investigation is essential. I condemn violence in all forms and call for restraint. The right to peaceful protest must be protected.

Sri Lankan police blocked Annai Poopathy's daughter from visiting her mother's grave to mark her 34th death anniversary. 

Earlier today, Annai Poopathy's daughter, Ms Lokeshwaran Santhi was told by Sri Lankan police officers that she was not allowed to commemorate her mother at her resting place in Navalady, Batticaloa. The officers claimed that Santhi was paying homage to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). 

^{Spent shell cases from live rounds fired at the protestors earlier today.}

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has called for a “full, transparent investigation” after Sri Lankan police shot dead one protestor and injured several others just hours ago in the town of Rambukkana, where a demonstration had been taking place.

“I am deeply saddened by the horrible news coming out of Rambukkana,” tweeted the ambassador.

Sri Lankan security forces have fired at protestors in Rambukkana, leading to at least one person being confirmed dead and several others in critical condition.

There are fears that the death toll may rise, with the number of injured people estimated to be at approximately 12. The deceased man has since been identified as a former member of the United National Party's Youth Wing.