With healthcare workers across the globe working to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, we look at some of the Tamils on the frontlines of the battle to save lives.

From nurses and doctors to our paramedics and porters, every single contribution is invaluable. And alongside thousands of other workers, the Tamil community has been actively involved in efforts to fight the pandemic.

A farmer from the Madukkarai village in Mannar - who harvested around 4000kg of pumpkins - has been unable to sell his pumpkins due to curfew restrictions affecting the business at the Dambulla vegetable market.

The father of three, was able to cultivate a good yield prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. However, he is now struggling to sell his pumpkins due to customers not being able to have access to his product at the Dambulla market, due to the lockdown.

A Tamil family who are fighting deportation to Sri Lanka expressed their “relief” after an Australian federal court ruled they were denied procedural fairness, as their lawyers continued the battle to release them from detention and to their home in Biloela.

Commemorative events took place in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya today to mark 32 years since the death of Annai Poopathy, a Tamil activist who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).

Sri Lanka’s defence secretary acknowledged the use of military intelligence operatives and computer software to track people it suspects of having contact with the coronavirus, in an admission that gives a glimpse into the extent of the military’s reach in contact tracing this week.

The Sri Lankan army continued to lead the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak on the island, with troops sent to shops and public places in Mullaitivu this week to carry out ‘disinfection’ regimes.

The coronavirus pandemic has instilled a global sense of panic as the death toll continues to climb.

Today marks 32 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).

Sri Lanka’s President’s Media Division has reported that the state-imposed curfew will be temporarily lifted to restore normalcy despite the increased militarisation of the North and East and deteriorated living conditions which have led people to starvation.

Tamil families of the disappeared in Vavuniya commemorated deaths that have taken place in the diaspora due to the coronavirus this week, in a remembrance ceremony on their 1,154^th day of their protest.

Sri Lanka’s Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) published a report discussing potential COVID-19 exit strategies which included the proposed racial profiling of Muslims. 

A Tamil man in Jaffna has been arrested by Sri Lankan security forces, for allegedly selling bananas during curfew.

The man was arrested by Kopay police yesterday before being released on bail.

“We’re watching you,” warns Amnesty International in a video to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other leaders around the world, who are using the coronavirus outbreak to crack down on civil liberties.

“Leaders who threaten human rights are using a pandemic to expand and abuse their powers instead of focusing on helping doctors and nurses," said the video. "To those leaders: we’re watching you.”