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 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:

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

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

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.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) paid tribute to Annai Poopathy at the party’s Kilinochchi office this morning to mark 34 years since her death. 

^{Image courtesy of @tamilnarratives} 

Today marks 34 years since the death of Annai Poopathy, a Tamil woman who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).

Speaking before his new cabinet members, Sri Lanka’s President was forced to admit that his ban on chemical fertilisers and refusal to turn to the International Monetary Fund were mistakes but refused to abdicate his position.

A court in Sri Lanka has banned commemoration events that were planned to be held later this month to mark the death of Annai Poopathy, a Tamil woman who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).

The Tamil National People’s Front received notice from the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court  informing the party that all commemorative events that it planned on hosting were to be banned.