Members of the Batticaloa Municipal Council marked Mullivaikkal Remembrance Week during the council’s monthly sitting on 7 May, wearing black ribbons and paying tribute to Tamils who were killed during the final stages of the armed conflict in 2009.

On May 10, 2009, Catholic Priest Father Francis Joseph wrote to the Pope from inside the No Fire Zone, calling on the Church to break its silence on the massacre of Tamils.

We publish his letter in full below.

A senior Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and chief prelate of the Anuradhapura Atamasthana, Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, has been remanded until 12 May after being arrested over allegations of abducting and sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl.

A major fire that erupted at the medical storage complex of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in the early hours of Saturday has destroyed a large quantity of medicines and caused extensive property damage, with authorities estimating losses worth several million rupees.

Residents and landowners from Myliddy, Valikamam North staged a protest on Friday (May 8) for the third consecutive week in front of the military Commander's bungalow, demanding the release of their lands which continue to remain under military occupation as part of a High Security Zone (HSZ).

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena was found dead early Friday morning at the residence of former Sri Lankan cricketer Aravinda de Silva in Kollupitiya, according to Sri Lankan police.

Sri Lanka Customs has detained two Tamil-language books authored by Kilinochchi-based writer Theepachelvan Piratheepan, sparking renewed criticism over censorship, freedom of expression and state scrutiny of Tamil political writing.

A memorial and tribute event honouring late Tamil nationalist singer and cultural figure Theanisai Sellappa was held on Saturday in Batticaloa, commemorating a man whose songs became deeply associated with the Tamil liberation struggle and the political aspirations of the Tamil nation.

The Tamil National Council (TNC) has formally congratulated Tamil Nadu Chief Minister-elect Joseph Vijay following his electoral victory, expressing hope that his leadership would strengthen support for the political aspirations of Eelam Tamils.