• Army altercation over found grenade causes tension in Kokkuvil

    May 09

    The discovery of a hand grenade in a drain in Kokkuvil, Jaffna on May 4 caused an altercation between army personnel. Tamil youths that had captured photographs of the removal, replacement and retrieval of the grenade were interrogated by officers of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), who then erased all evidence from their phones. 

  • US National Security Advisor calls Rajapaksa

    US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien had a telephone call with Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa this week, where he “reaffirmed the long history of U.S.-Sri Lankan friendship and cooperation”.

    A tweet from the US National Security Council  O’Brien also conveyed President Trump’s offer, on behalf of the American people, to provide needed ventilators to Sri Lanka.

  • New Indian High Commissioner arrives in Sri Lanka with 12.5 tonne gift of medicines

    The New Indian High Commissioner, Gopal Baglay, arrived in Sri Lanka today with 12.5 tonne gift consignment of medicine and medical equipment.

  • More than 250 prisoners released during Vesak Festival
    <p>Sri Lanka’s President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has released 286 male prisoners and four female prisoners under a presidential pardon during the Vesak festival, which commemorates the death of the Buddha.</p> <p>Those released were arrested on minor charges and included those over 65 years old. They remained imprisoned due to an inability to pay their fines. The prisoners released were from 30 prisons across Sri Lanka.</p>
  • Sri Lanka to borrow 15 billion Rs. from China
    <p>Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved the borrowing of 15 billion Rs. from China’s Development Bank for the development of 105 kilometres of road.</p> <p>Ramesh Pathirana, a spokesman for cabinet, told reporters that the loan would be used to develop ten separate roads in different parts of the country.</p>
  • Petition calls for release of Ramzy and other activists

    An online petition is calling for the unconditional release of Ramzy Razeek and other activists who have been critical of the Sri Lanka's authorities. 

    Infographic by Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice 

  • ‘Appa died doing what he loved’ – Sivaram’s children pay tribute

    The children of slain Tamil journalist Dharmeratnam ‘Taraki’ Sivaram paid tribute to their father on the 15th anniversary of his assassination, with a piece highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by the Tamil people.

  • OIC deeply concerned over the targeting of Muslims in Sri Lanka
    <p>The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed its deep concern over the increased targeting of Muslims in Sri Lanka during the coronavirus pandemic.</p>
  • Still searching for Stephen Sunthararaj

    On this day 11 years ago, Stephen Sunthararaj, an activist who had exposed the trafficking of Tamil children into international prostitution rings, was abducted and forcibly disappeared in Colombo by armed men in military uniforms.

    As part of his work he had told the then United States Ambassador in Colombo about prostitution rings run by government aligned paramilitaries in Jaffna. The paramilitaries were trafficking children into sex rings in India and Malaysia with the help of immigration officials.

  • Sri Lanka calls of state sector employees to donate their wages
    <p>Sri Lanka has called upon state sector employees to donate their wages from May to reduce the government’s budget deficit.</p> <p>In a letter addressed to all state bodies, P.B. Jayasundara, the President’s Secretary, stated:</p> <p>“The government requires at least Rs 100 billion to pay the salaries and allowances of state servants”</p>
  • Sri Lankan police arrest those posting about lack of food for displaced Tamils
    <p>Sri Lankan police have arrest two people who posted information stating that Tamils who had sheltered in a Hindu temple in Colombo and were unable to return home due to the coronavirus curfew, were experiencing difficulty accessing food and drinking water.</p>
  • NGOs cite arrests in Sri Lanka and call on IMF to protect civil society

    A collection of 99 non-governmental organisations around the world have called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure that governments it provides funds to respect the rights of civil society groups, citing the case of arrests in Sri Lanka.

  • Tamil asylum-seeker speaks out from Christmas Island

    Priya Murugappan, a Tamil asylum-seeker, currently detained on Christmas Island, spoke at a digital rally organised by the Tamil Refugee Council.

    Speaking on the phone from Christmas Island, Priya described the conditions in detention, and the impact it is having on her two young children who are growing up in isolation.

  • International Crisis Group raises concerns over Sri Lanka’s crackdown on dissent
    <p>The International Crisis Group (ICG) has issued a statement condemning the measures adopted by the Sri Lankan government during the coronavirus pandemic and warning against a “crackdown on dissent”, “growing anti-Muslim hate speech”, and a “looming constitutional crisis”.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><u>Cracking down on dissent</u></p>
  • US ‘continues long tradition’ with $5.8 million to Sri Lanka

    The United States announced that it is contributing a total of US$5.8 million to Sri Lanka, as part of coronavirus relief efforts, in line with its “long tradition of US support for Sri Lanka’s security and sovereignty”.

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