A fire broke out on a container ship docked at Colombo which then led to an explosion near the accommodation block of the 18-year-old vessel.

Events took place across the North-East today, to mark 18 years since the Sencholai massacre, where four Sri Lankan air force jets flew over the Vanni and dropped sixteen bombs over the Sencholai children's home for orphans, killing 53 school girls and 3 teachers.

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the massacre of 53 school girls by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the massacre of 53 school girls by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 

On August 14 2006, four Sri Lankan air force jets flew over the Vanni and dropped sixteen bombs over the Sencholai children's home for orphans, killing 53 school girls and 3 teachers. 

Tamil parliamentarian M A Sumanthiran said he was against the concept of a proposed Tamil common candidate for next month’s presidential elections and would only consider backing a “main candidate” from the Sinhala South.

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Tamils in Mannar staged a protest in front of the Mannar District General Hospital, as hundreds of demonstrators demanded justice for the tragic death of 27-year-old Sinthuja. Sinthuja had been admitted to the hospital and subsequently lost her life, allegedly due to the negligence of doctors and staff.

The Sri Lankan government’s representative in Toronto has formally written to the Mayor of Brampton, in a bid to try and halt the construction of a monument dedicated to the victims of the Tamil genocide.

Two Tamil youths were injured when a Sri Lankan Air Force vehicle crashed into their motorbike in Vavuniya. One of them is said to be seriously injured and is being treated at the Vavuniya hospital. 

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam rejected the need for a common Tamil candidate at the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential election telling reporters:

Ahead of Sri Lanka’s presidential election, Tamil lawmaker M.A. Sumanthiran met with candidate for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, Namal Rajapaksa, to discuss issues facing the North-East.

Tamil residents of Chettikulam Vazhavaithakulam, Andiapuliankulam in Vavuniya staged a protest today demanding that the illegal construction of a dam be halted as it poses a grave risk to at least 80 families.